This interactive map of the Roman Empire is amazing

This interactive map of the Roman Empire is amazing
(Image credit: Johan Åhlfeldt, Pelagios)

Everyone's at least heard of the Roman Empire. But have you ever looked closely at a map of it? Before the internet age, that took some digging.

But these days, we have not just an ordinary map, but a high-quality zoomable Google Maps-style topographical and political map displaying the the empire at its peak extent, stretching from Britannia to Arabia. Created by Johan Åhlfeldt, it includes roads, cities, towns, mines, and many other features. I found myself mesmerized clicking around and trying to figure out the history of various cities deep in the African desert, like Garama Metropolis.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
Explore More
Ryan Cooper

Ryan Cooper is a national correspondent at TheWeek.com. His work has appeared in the Washington Monthly, The New Republic, and the Washington Post.