Appius Claudius Caecus was a statesman and writer from the Roman Republic. He is best known for two major building projects: the Appian Way, the first major Roman road, and the first aqueduct in Rome, the Aqua Appia.

The Roman Republic was the era of classical Roman civilization beginning with the overthrow of the Roman Kingdom and ending in 27 BC with the establishment of the Roman Empire. During this period, Rome's control expanded from the city's immediate surroundings to hegemony over the entire Mediterranean world.