For centuries, historians and archaeologists have painstakingly worked on reassembling one of the world's largest historical puzzles: the Forma Urbis Romae. Also known as the Severan Marble Plan, this gigantic marble map of ancient Rome was created between A.D. 203 and 211. At some point during the disuse and dismantling of the map in the fifth century, it fragmented into thousands of pieces that were dispersed across the city. Scholars have been tirelessly collecting these pieces for over 500 years, striving to reconstruct this historical masterpiece.
The map, commissioned by Emperor Septimius Severus, spanned 60 feet in height and 43 feet in width, intricately etched onto 150 marble blocks arranged across 11 rows. This monumental creation detailed over five square miles of ancient Rome at a 1:240 scale, capturing every building, monument, shop, and staircase. It was originally displayed in the Temple of Peace within the Imperial Fora, but the map's slabs were dismantled during the Middle Ages. Many chunks were repurposed in construction projects throughout the city.
Despite the map being only partially reconstructed, with approximately 1,200 fragments retrieved and merely 10 to 15 percent of the original surviving, it provides invaluable insights into ancient Rome's urban layout. According to Stanford University professor Jennifer Trimble, the map offers unique information about the city's organization. "The Plan itself is vitally important because it is our only source for the urban fabric of Rome," Trimble explains. "Standing ruins of major monuments and keyhole excavations throughout the city have given us individual details, but the modern city overlies the ancient remains and makes it impossible to see how different kinds of spaces and buildings worked together, or what particular streets and neighborhoods were like."
Recently, authorities from the Capitoline and Vatican museums in Rome announced a significant discovery: the identification of a crucial new section of the map. During construction at the Palazzo Maffei Marescotti, owned by the Vatican, a new fragment was unearthed. This section corresponds to an area west of the Roman Forum, modern-day known as the Ghetto. Researchers identified its position on the overall map because it depicted recognizable landmarks such as the Theater of Marcellus and the Circus Flaminius. Not much evidence of Circus Flaminius has survived, making this find particularly exciting for archaeologists, as it enhances their understanding of its layout and function.
The Forma Urbis Romae’s purpose remains debated among scholars. While its resemblance to Roman cadastral plans suggests it might have served administrative purposes for urban prefects, others argue it could merely have been an elaborate decorative piece showcasing imperial achievements. Trimble suggests it is best seen "as a spectacular monument that showcased the imperial city and detailed cartographic knowledge about it."
In a related development, Rome has recently opened a new archaeological park and museum in the vicinity of the Colosseum. Visitors to this park can now walk over an original marble map of Ancient Rome, bringing the ancient city’s layout to life underfoot. The museum celebrates the detailed work of ancient cartography and offers visitors a tangible connection to the past. As one walks over the replica, one can almost feel the heartbeat of ancient Rome, providing a sensory dimension to historical exploration.
This resurgence in interest surrounding the Forma Urbis Romae is not just an academic pursuit but a vivid reminder of how the past continues to shape our understanding of cities and civilization. For the time being, the quest to piece together this historical map remains an ongoing journey, promising further discoveries that will illuminate the intricate details of Roman urban planning.
