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All of these primitive systems existed for the benefit ofthe rulers. They were maintained at public expense butthe runners were permitted to carry only the messages ofthe tribal chiefs or of later-day kings and emperors. It remained for Augustus Caesar to establish whatmost closely resembles our modern postal system. HisCursus Publicus had routes throughout the Roman Em-pire and the carriers were permitted to carry messagesof certain high government officials not necessarily con-nected with the Emperor's household. It is from thissystem that we get our present name "post" office. Alongthe roads traveled by the Roman couriers posts wereestablished to mark the distances each should travel.Often a hostelry would be established at the post andhence we derive the word "post" and later "office." |
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