The Appian Way was the Roman empire's FIRST and most important long road built for military purposes such as transporting military supplies and troops. It was named after Appius Claudius, a Roman censor who began and completed the first section of the road around 312 B.C. The Romans became masters at building roads. Roman roads began in the city of Rome where each road was labeled with a master list of destinations along its route. It is this configuration of the empire's transportation system that led to the phrase "All roads lead to Rome." After surviving a shipwreck on the stormy Mediterranean sea Paul is brought via ship to the Italian coastal city of Puteoli (170 miles from Rome). It is from Puteoli that the Appian Way is used to take the Apostle Paul to Rome. Zealous Christians in Rome, who hear about Paul's arrival on the Italian mainland, travel a significant distance on the Appian Way to meet him: " . . . and the next day we came to Puteoli, where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome. And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage." (Acts 28:13-15, NKJV)
The Appii Forum or Market of Appius was a town on the Appian Way about 55 miles from Rome. It was near the sea and a famous resort for sailors, peddlers, merchants and alike. The town of Three Inns (translated Three Taverns in KJV Bible), also on the Appian Way, was about ten miles closer to Rome than Appii Forum. Sources: Wikipedia, John Gills Exposition of the Entire Bible, Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible | 
