Google ancient Rome

Google has added a new twist to its popular 3D map tool, Google Earth, offering millions of users the chance to visit a virtual ancient Rome.

Google has reconstructed the sprawling city - inhabited by more than one million people as long ago as AD320.

Users can zoom around the map to visit the Forum of Julius Caesar, stand in the centre of the Colosseum or swoop over the Basilica.

From the BBC. Check out Google's ancient Rome here. Google Earth Blog (not an official Google site) report here. The Google Rome appears to be based upon the well-known model in the Museo della Civiltà Romana, which most tourists never get to, since it's way out in the EUR. As far as I know, the Plastico di Roma Imperiale was last updated in the mid-1970s, so Google Rome may be the latest without necessarily being the most up-to-date.

Posted by David on November 12, 2008 9:28 PM