Unraveling the Mysteries of Ancient Rome: The Severan Marble Plan
In the heart of Rome's bustling Roman Forum once stood a monumental structure known as the Temple of Peace, erected by the mighty Emperor Vespasian to showcase his power and bolster his public image. However, the grandeur of this temple was short-lived, as it fell victim to the ravages of history when Rome was sacked by the Goths in the early 5th century. Today, all that remains of this once-majestic edifice is a charred interior wall, serving as a somber reminder of its former glory. Remarkably, this wall later found new life as the exterior of the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian, bearing witness to the passage of time and the enduring spirit of Rome.
Embedded within this wall lay a hidden treasure—an enormous marble map of Ancient Rome, measuring an impressive 60 feet by 43 feet. Crafted with meticulous detail, the map, known as the Forma Urbis Romae or the Severan Marble Plan of Rome, offered a stunning depiction of the city's urban landscape, spanning five square miles. Every architectural feature, from grand public monuments to humble shops and dwellings, was meticulously rendered on this extraordinary map, providing an unparalleled glimpse into the intricacies of ancient Roman life. Each structure was carefully labeled, contributing to the map's unparalleled richness and depth. Above photo: A modern illustration of the Temple of Peace with Forma Urbis, the giant map of Rome, on the wall.
Wall of the Temple of Peace where the Forma Urbis was mounted.
Although Emperor Vespasian commissioned the construction of the Temple of Peace, it was Emperor Septimius Severus who undertook the monumental task of creating the marble map, some 150 years later, between 203 and 211. Engraved on 150 marble slabs and rendered at a scale of approximately 1 to 240, the Severan Marble Plan represented a monumental feat of engineering and artistic skill. However, its fate was sealed with the fall of Rome and the subsequent destruction of the Temple of Peace, as the map was fragmented into thousands of pieces, scattered across the cityscape.
For centuries, scholars have endeavored to reconstruct the lost map, piecing together its fragments like a giant jigsaw puzzle. Yet, despite their efforts, only a fraction of the original survives, comprising approximately 10 to 15 percent of the map's entirety. These fragments, ranging in size from mere inches to several feet, offer tantalizing glimpses into the past, shedding light on the layout and organization of ancient Rome.
Despite its fragmented state, the Severan Marble Plan remains a vital source of information for scholars, providing invaluable insights into the urban fabric of Rome. As Stanford University professor Jennifer Trimble explains, "The Plan itself is vitally important because it is our only source for the urban fabric of Rome." While standing ruins and excavations offer glimpses into individual aspects of ancient life, the Marble Plan offers a holistic view, revealing how different elements of the city interconnected and functioned as a whole.
Thanks to advancements in technology, scholars and enthusiasts alike can now explore the surviving fragments of the Marble Plan through images and 3D models available online. Each fragment tells a story, offering a window into the past and enriching our understanding of ancient Rome's vibrant and complex urban landscape.
As we continue to unravel the mysteries of Ancient Rome, the Severan Marble Plan stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of one of history's greatest civilizations. Through its fragments, we glimpse the past and marvel at the ingenuity and artistry of those who came before us, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and captivate generations.
Map of ancient Rome and Forma Urbis, circa 1835-1839.
A fragment of the Severan marble plan showing the Porticus of Octavia. Photo credit: Sailko/Wikimedia
Photo credit: Socks Studio
In the heart of Rome's bustling Roman Forum once stood a monumental structure known as the Temple of Peace, erected by the mighty Emperor Vespasian to showcase his power and bolster his public image. However, the grandeur of this temple was short-lived, as it fell victim to the ravages of history when Rome was sacked by the Goths in the early 5th century. Today, all that remains of this once-majestic edifice is a charred interior wall, serving as a somber reminder of its former glory. Remarkably, this wall later found new life as the exterior of the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian, bearing witness to the passage of time and the enduring spirit of Rome.
Embedded within this wall lay a hidden treasure—an enormous marble map of Ancient Rome, measuring an impressive 60 feet by 43 feet. Crafted with meticulous detail, the map, known as the Forma Urbis Romae or the Severan Marble Plan of Rome, offered a stunning depiction of the city's urban landscape, spanning five square miles. Every architectural feature, from grand public monuments to humble shops and dwellings, was meticulously rendered on this extraordinary map, providing an unparalleled glimpse into the intricacies of ancient Roman life. Each structure was carefully labeled, contributing to the map's unparalleled richness and depth. Above photo: A modern illustration of the Temple of Peace with Forma Urbis, the giant map of Rome, on the wall.
Wall of the Temple of Peace where the Forma Urbis was mounted.Although Emperor Vespasian commissioned the construction of the Temple of Peace, it was Emperor Septimius Severus who undertook the monumental task of creating the marble map, some 150 years later, between 203 and 211. Engraved on 150 marble slabs and rendered at a scale of approximately 1 to 240, the Severan Marble Plan represented a monumental feat of engineering and artistic skill. However, its fate was sealed with the fall of Rome and the subsequent destruction of the Temple of Peace, as the map was fragmented into thousands of pieces, scattered across the cityscape.
For centuries, scholars have endeavored to reconstruct the lost map, piecing together its fragments like a giant jigsaw puzzle. Yet, despite their efforts, only a fraction of the original survives, comprising approximately 10 to 15 percent of the map's entirety. These fragments, ranging in size from mere inches to several feet, offer tantalizing glimpses into the past, shedding light on the layout and organization of ancient Rome.
Despite its fragmented state, the Severan Marble Plan remains a vital source of information for scholars, providing invaluable insights into the urban fabric of Rome. As Stanford University professor Jennifer Trimble explains, "The Plan itself is vitally important because it is our only source for the urban fabric of Rome." While standing ruins and excavations offer glimpses into individual aspects of ancient life, the Marble Plan offers a holistic view, revealing how different elements of the city interconnected and functioned as a whole.
Thanks to advancements in technology, scholars and enthusiasts alike can now explore the surviving fragments of the Marble Plan through images and 3D models available online. Each fragment tells a story, offering a window into the past and enriching our understanding of ancient Rome's vibrant and complex urban landscape.
As we continue to unravel the mysteries of Ancient Rome, the Severan Marble Plan stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of one of history's greatest civilizations. Through its fragments, we glimpse the past and marvel at the ingenuity and artistry of those who came before us, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and captivate generations.
Map of ancient Rome and Forma Urbis, circa 1835-1839.A fragment of the Severan marble plan showing the Porticus of Octavia. Photo credit: Sailko/Wikimedia
Photo credit: Socks Studio
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