But the dominion of papal Rome, depending upon a different principle, had no exigencies of that kind, and this duty accordingly was left for the local powers to neglect.

And so, in all directions, the roads were almost impassable for a large part of the year.

A common means of transportation was in clumsy carts drawn by oxen, going at the most but three or four miles an hour.

Where boat-conveyance along rivers could not be had, pack-horses and mules were resorted to for the transportation of merchandise, an adequate means for the slender commerce of the times.

When large bodies of men had to be moved, the difficulties became almost insuperable.