335, who was to travel from Aleppo to Constantinople, more than 700 miles, in eight days, an unusually short journey .-- M.] [Footnote 891: Posts for the conveyance of intelligence were established by Augustus.Suet.Aug.49.The couriers travelled with amazing speed.
Blair on Roman Slavery, note, p.261.It is probable that the posts, from the time of Augustus, were confined to the public service, and supplied by impressment Nerva, as it appears from a coin of his reign, made an important change; "he established posts upon all the public roads of Italy, and made the service chargeable upon his own exchequer.
Hadrian, perceiving the advantage of this improvement, extended it to all the provinces of the empire." Cardwell on Coins, p.

220 .-- M.] [Footnote 90: Pliny, though a favorite and a minister, made an apology for granting post-horses to his wife on the most urgent business.

Epist.
x.

121, 122.] [Footnote 91: Bergier, Hist.

des grands Chemins, l.iv.c.