When not in Rome... simply log on to Google to see the ancient city restored to its former glory



It is difficult to imagine how Ancient Rome might have looked - unless you stand among the ruins and squint.

Now you don't have to.

The Eternal City has been restored to its former glory with the help of a computer model.

Google has launched a model that allows visitors to explore Ancient Rome, going inside famous buildings such as the Colosseum

Visitors can explore Rome as it was under the Emperor Constantine in 320AD, regarded by many historians as its heyday.

The three-dimensional world was created by Google and is available to download for free.

It lets users stand in the centre of the Forum, stroll across the arena of the Colosseum or fly through the Arch of Constantine.

They can explore 6,700 buildings and the detailed interiors of 11 structures including the Temple of Venus and Rome, the Temple of Vesta and the Basilica of Maxentius.

The model also reveals how Trajan's Column - a 125ft monument at the centre of the Forum - can be seen from across the city and lets explorers tour Ludus Magnus, the gladiatorial training school.

Each building has been carefully reconstructed and positioned using historical records, recreating the biggest and most important metropolis of the ancient world.





The guide features 6,700 buildings including the Circus Maximus (top) and Forum (below)

Google claims the site will be invaluable to historians, students and school children, as well as helping to bring the city to life for tourists.

The model is available via Google Earth, the internet service which allows users to explore the world using satellite maps.

Although some city centres such as San Francisco and Munich and famous landmarks have been recreated in three dimensions, this is the first time users have been able to walk around an ancient city.

The virtual tour is based on a physical model - the Plastico di Roma Antica - created by archaeologists and model makers between 1933 and 1974.

One of the technical whizzes behind the Google version, Bernard Frische of the University of Virginia, said: 'The project is the continuation of five centuries of research by scholars, architects and artists since the Renaissance who have attempted to restore the ruins of the ancient city with words, maps and images.'

Mayor of Rome Gianni Alemanno said: 'Our spectacular ancient remains continue to fascinate people all around the world drawing millions of tourists to our city every year. We're delighted even more people all over the world can now enjoy the heritage of our great city.

'It's a perfect example of how the new technologies can be ideal allies of our history, archaeology and cultural identity.'

See Ancient Rome rise from the ruins...



