Ghost of a flea: Itinerarium

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November 30, 2007

Itinerarium

The Tabula Peutingeriana is believed to be the only surviving copy of a roadmap of the Roman Empire. Even the copy is 800 years old and quite delicate; all 22 feet of it made a rare, one day public appearance from the vaults of the Manuscripts, Autographs and Closed Collections of the Austrian National Library.

The department's director compares it to a map of the London Underground.

"The red lines are the main roads. Every so often there is a little hook along the red lines which represents a rest stop - and the distance between hooks was one day's travel. Every so often there is a pictogram of a building to show you that there was a hotel or a spa where you could stay," he said. "It was meant for the civil servants of the late Roman Empire, for couriers and travellers," he added. Some of the buildings have large courtyards - a sign of more luxurious accommodation.

Tasty. On display for a UN "celebration", I would have had to hold my breath and attend regardless. Flea-readers who missed the day may peruse the whole of the Tabula Peutingeriana thanks to the miracle that is the "internet".

Posted by Ghost of a flea at November 30, 2007 07:23 AM

Comments

So you should have a Tabula Peutingeriana Week at The Flea! A different 'station' day. 8-)

Posted by: The_Campblog at November 30, 2007 09:05 AM

Hmm... I haven't done a theme week in a while...

Posted by: Ghost of a flea at November 30, 2007 09:14 AM