This map is the key to an ancient empire

IT’S six metres long, with 55 cities and 3500 place names. Deciphering this complicated map is the key to understanding an ancient empire.

IT’S a mammoth six metres long and contains 55 cities and 3500 place names, yet deciphering this map was the key to navigating an ancient empire.

The parchment scroll called the Tabula Peutingeriana, or “Peutinger Map”, is the only surviving map of the Roman world that descends from ancient times. It’s actually a 13th century replica, with the original dating back to the 4th or 5th century.

Its name comes from German Konrad Peutinger, who mysteriously rediscovered the map in 1508. It was passed around royal and elite families until it was bought by Prince Eugene of Savoy, and upon his death it was purchased by Vienna’s Austrian National Library where it has been kept since 1737.

The extensive map spans through Europe (minus Spain or the Britisih Isles), North Africa and parts of Asia.

The road distances were marked in Roman numerals indicating the miles or Gallic league (an ancient measurement, the original of the Old English mile).

Three of the most important cities were represented with extra decoration: Rome, Constantinople and Antioch. Rivers, mountains and seas were also included, but they are not the focus.

The ancient map. Picture: Conradi Millieri, Wiki Commons

While it looks very detailed, bets are on that making sense of this ancient map is easier than trying to navigate Sydney’s CBD.