A Monumental Map of Ancient Rome

Map

Santi Cosma e Damiano

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The large brick wall to the left of the entrance of the church of Santi Cosma e Damiano once sported a monumental marble map of ancient Rome, the Forma Urbis Romae.

The wall, now peppered with clamp holes, was once completely veneered with 151 slabs of marble, on which was incised a scaled map (1:240) of the ancient city, with north at the bottom. 

The Forma Urbis Romae, also known as the Severan Marble Plan of Rome (c. 203-211 CE), was roughly 18 metres wide and 13 metres high (60 by 43 feet). It was mounted onto the wall of a room in the Templum Pacis, which had been built by the emperor Vespasian (r. 69-79). Sadly, only 10% of the map survives. 

Update: On January 10th 2024, the Museo della Forma Urbis opened in Rome. The museum has put on permanent display the surviving fragments of the map.  

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Hypothetical Reconstruction of the Forma Urbis Romae