Rome reborn! An incredible interactive tool lets you explore temples, baths and gladiatorial arenas as they were in the heyday of the ancient capital

By James On Nov 10, 2023

It is thought that only about a tenth of ancient Rome still exists.

But a new interactive tool takes you back to the city’s glory days.

The online aerial tour, created by researchers in Indiana, soars over the entire metropolis as it looked during its historic heyday in the fourth century AD.

It takes 61 stops, including the famous Colosseum where thousands of bloody gladiator fights took place as a form of public spectacle.

Viewers can also see the Pantheon, the Baths of Caracalla and the Mausoleum of Augustus, the largest round tomb in the world.

The online aerial tour, created by researchers in Indiana, soars over the entire metropolis as it looked during its historic heyday in the fourth century AD. Pictured is the famous Colosseum with the Temple of Claudius on Caelius Hill on the left

The viaduct – which lasts one hour and 52 minutes – was created by Indiana company Flyover Zone, led by digital archaeologist Professor Bernard Frischer.

“With the virtual tour, we hope to make it easy and fun for the public to learn more about Ancient Rome and its cultural heritage,” he said.

“Teachers can use these and other tours to take their students on virtual journeys into the cultures they study.

‘History enthusiasts can explore important historical sites without leaving their home, tourists can prepare for their trip to Rome, deepen their knowledge of the places they will visit and keep their memories alive once they get home.

“Our goal is not to replace real tourism, but to enhance it.”

The viaduct aims at the reconstruction of the old city, as it might have looked at the height of its development in the year 320 AD.

It shows 7,000 buildings spread over 13.6 square kilometers at a time when the population was around 1 million.

“This was the moment when the city reached its peak in terms of population and number of buildings and monuments,” Flyover Zone said in a statement.

Colosseum, which was built between 70 and 72 AD under the Roman Emperor Vespasian

There is also the Pantheon, a former Roman temple notable for its eight large granite Corinthian columns in front

The Baths of Caracalla – the city’s second largest Roman public baths, or baths, after the Baths of Diocletian

The pride of the place is the Colosseum, which was built between 70 and 72 AD under the Roman Emperor Vespasian.

Known as the largest ancient amphitheater ever built, it was used for gladiatorial combat and other public spectacles, including animal hunting and executions.

Today, about a third of the Colosseum remains, having been substantially destroyed by earthquakes and stone robbers over the centuries.

Immediately next to it is a square building, the Temple of Claudius on Caelius Hill, which housed the imperial cult of Emperor Claudius.

Today, the Temple of Claudius no longer stands, although parts of the temple are still visible.

There is also the Pantheon, a former Roman temple that stands out for its eight large granite Corinthian columns in front.

It is the only ancient Roman building that has remained intact over the centuries and still attracts millions of tourists every year.

Pictured in its heyday is the Mausoleum of Augustus, the largest round tomb in the world

Pictured: Temples on the Capitoline Hill (one of Rome’s seven hills that form the geographical heart of the city)

The Circus Maximus, the ancient Roman chariot racing stadium and mass entertainment center. The site is now a public park

Meanwhile, the Mausoleum of Augustus, the largest circular tomb in the world with a diameter of 87 meters, was built by Roman Augustus in 28 BC.

Since 1996, Professor Frischer has brought together experts in Roman archaeology, computer graphics and virtual reality design to ensure ‘the most accurate and scientifically reliable reproduction’ of the city.

The tour, including commentary from Professor Frischer, is available for free on Yorescape, a streaming and audio platform for desktop and mobile.

Yorescape offers several virtual tours of historic sites around the world, including Athens, Greece and Giza, Egypt.

How England spent almost half a millennium under Roman rule

55 BC – Julius Caesar crossed the Channel with about 10,000 soldiers. They landed in Pegwell Bay on the Isle of Thanet and were met by a force of British. Caesar was forced to withdraw.

54 BC -Caesar crossed the Channel again in his second attempt to conquer Britain. He came with 27,000 infantry and cavalry and landed at Deal, but there was no opposition. They marched inland and after hard fighting defeated the British and key tribal leaders surrendered.

Later that year, however, Caesar was forced to return to Gaul to resolve the problems there, and the Romans left.

54 BC – 43 BC – Although there were no Romans present in Britain during these years, their influence increased due to trade links.

43AD – A Roman force of 40,000 led by Aulus Plautius landed in Kent and took the southeast. Emperor Claudius appointed Plautius governor of Britain and returned to Rome.

47AD – Londinium (London) was founded and Britain was declared part of the Roman Empire. Networks of roads were built throughout the country.

50 AD – The Romans arrived in the south-west and left their mark in the form of a wooden fort on a hill near the River Exe. Decades later, a town called Isca was founded on the site of the fortress.

When the Romans left and the Saxons ruled, all ex-Roman cities were called a ‘ceaster’. this was called ‘Exe ceaster’ and a merger of these eventually created Exeter.

75 – 77 AD – The Romans defeated the last resistant tribes, turning all of Britain Roman. Many Britons began to adopt Roman customs and laws.

122AD – Emperor Hadrian ordered a wall built between England and Scotland to keep out Scottish tribes.

312 AD – Emperor Constantine made Christianity legal throughout the Roman Empire.

228 AD – The Romans were attacked by barbarian tribes and soldiers stationed in the country were recalled to Rome.

410 AD – All Romans were recalled to Rome and Emperor Honorious told the British that they were no longer connected to Rome.

Source: History on the Internet