The map above is a closer look at a map of ancient Rome by Allyn and Bacon. It’s interesting because it shows the position of the Solarium, or the Horologium Augusti, a giant sundial set up by Augustus. It’s the subject of a paper in the Journal of Roman Studies by Peter Heslin: Augustus, Domitian and the So-called Horologium Augusti. This is a brilliant paper twice over. First he shows that the Horologium could not have existed as it is shown on this map. This is controversial because extremely eminent archaeologists in the German Archaeological Institute have claimed they’ve found the Horologium. This paper by Peter Heslin emphatically shows they’re wrong. Then he goes on to give an explanation of what they’ve found which makes sense archaeologically, historically and astronomically.

What is there on the Campus Martius?

The Campus Martius was an area of ground on the north side of Rome, prone to swampiness. It lay outside the the early boundaries of Rome, which meant it could be used for a variety of things not allowed in the City. It’s here the Mausoleum of Augustus is found. There are temples and altars. It was also the closest place to the walls More >