The Tabula Peutingeriana (Peutinger’s Map) is a massive manuscript map on a parchment scroll over 22 feet long. It was purportedly first created in the 4th-century reign of Theodosius (hence the title) and shows the Roman Empire during the reign of Augustus. A medieval copy was created in the 1200s and, while a reproduction of the ancient source material, is thought to be the only known surviving example of a map of the Roman road system. The expansive empire stretches from India to Western Europe and from the North Sea to the coast of North Africa, necessitating serious geographic distortions. Since the only known example is housed in the Austrian National Library, several reproductions have been issued over the years. This example was engraved by Thierry and published around 1846 in an antiquarian atlas by Conrad Malte-Brun. The massive image is broken into three horizontal panels and many of the details from the original have been simplified to fit the reduced size and contemporary printing limitations. Still, a number of notable geographic features, ‘barbarian’ tribes, and important locations are clearly labeled. To explore the ‘original’ Peutinger Map in further detail, check out this awesome interactive website hosted by NYU.
