He Came, He Saw, He Conquered...

…But he never managed to send a parcel via next day delivery. Born on this day, 100BC, Julius Caesar no doubt had to wait weeks before he heard that familiar thud of mail dropping at his door. Some of the courier industry’s pioneers can be traced back to Ancient Rome, albeit, dressed in unfashionable kilts flapping dangerously high around their thighs. But it wasn’t until the reign of Augustus, Julius Caesars adopted son, some 100 years later, that the first official transportation system was introduced to the Roman Empire – the Cursus Publicus.

The Cursus Publicus consisted of several stations dotted along specialised roads
throughout the Roman World, providing horses for messengers and, usually, food and shelter. To use these specialised roads and services, a diploma signed by the emperor himself would have to be produced. But, like most Government organised schemes, this was privy to abuse by the higher classes, who often forged these diplomas in order to hitch free transport for themselves and their families. Shocking!

Timeframe? We’re talking weeks here – for one message to be delivered from Rome to Egypt it took about 63 days (if it got there at all)! Let us be thankful for the modern day couriers, then, who to be quite frank – don’t know how easy they have it!

Remember, myParcelDelivery.com™ don’t send couriers via horse, so for some speedy delivery times and great rates on parcel delivery to over 242 countries worldwide, drop by today for a free quote!

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