Digital Maps of the Ancient World

The Walls of Ancient Rome

Explore the formidable defensive structures that shaped the boundaries of ancient Rome with our curated reading list on the walls of the city.

Delve into the architectural marvels and strategic significance of Rome’s iconic fortifications, which played a crucial role in safeguarding the city against external threats and asserting its power and prestige. Engage with leading scholars such as Richmond, Coates-Stephens, and Dey, whose comprehensive studies offer insights into the construction, evolution, and military function of Rome’s walls. From the legendary Servian Wall to the majestic Aurelian Walls, our reading list delves into the engineering techniques, defensive features, and historical contexts that defined these monumental structures. Explore the archaeological evidence, ancient texts, and contemporary accounts that shed light on the purpose and significance of Rome’s fortifications, from deterring invaders to controlling access and regulating trade. Whether you’re interested in military history, urban development, or architectural engineering, our collection of scholarly works invites you to uncover the rich history and enduring legacy of the walls that once encircled the eternal city.

General

  • Claridge, A., Rome: an Oxford archaeological guide, Oxford, 2010, 61, 369-71.

Further Reading

  • Boethius, A., Etruscan and early Roman architecture, London, 1978, 115-22.
  • Coates-Stephens, R., Porta Maggiore: monument and landscape : archaeology and topography of the southern Esquiline from the Late Republican period to the present, Rome, 2004, Ch 4.
  • Cornell, T., The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c1000-264 BC), London, 1995, 198-202, 320.
  • Dey, H.W., The Aurelian wall and the refashioning of Imperial Rome, A.D. 271-855, Cambridge, 2011.
  • Holloway, R.R., The archaeology of early Rome and Latium, London, 1994, 91-102.
  • Ivaldi, R., Le mura di Roma: alla ricerca dell’itinerario completo di un monumento unico al mondo le cui vicende hanno accompagnato la storia millenaria della Città eterna, Rome, 2005.
  • Richmond, I.A., The City Walls of Imperial Rome, Oxford, 1930.
  • Ward-Perkins, J.B. & Boethius, A., Roman imperial architecture, Harmondsworth, 1981, 415-7.