A huge model of Rome from the 4th century CE (the so-called Plastico di Roma Imperiale) is the work of the archaeologist and architect Italo Gismondi, who worked on it for a large part of his life (1935-1971). In his work, Gismondi partly used the work of Rodolfo Lanciani – the map Forma Urbis from 1901.
To this day, the model is considered to be one of the best reproductions of 4th-century Rome, as the reign of Constantine I. Currently, the building is housed in the Museum of Roman Civilization in Rome and is admired by students and tourists who can learn what the majestic Roman monuments looked like in reality.
The map measures approximately 20 by 20 meters (scale 1: 250) and has greatly helped Gladiator director Ridley Scott to recreate the ancient world.
