The Roman mile was a unit of distance used in ancient Rome, equivalent to approximately 1,480 meters or about 4,850 feet. It was based on the length of 1,000 paces, with each pace being roughly 5 feet. This measurement was important for military and trade purposes, helping to standardize distances across the vast Roman Empire. The term "mile" itself comes from the Latin word "mille," meaning "thousand." The Roman mile influenced later measurements, including the modern mile, which is now defined as 1,609.34 meters. This historical unit reflects the Romans' advanced understanding of engineering and infrastructure.