Posted on 06/11/2007 2:21:35 PM PDT by BenLurkin
ROME - Computer experts on Monday unveiled a digital reproduction of ancient Rome as it appeared at the peak of its power in A.D. 320 — what they called the largest and most complete simulation of a historic city ever created.
Visitors to virtual Rome will be able to do even more than ancient Romans did: They can crawl through the bowels of the Colosseum, filled with lion cages and primitive elevators, and fly up for a detailed look at bas-reliefs and inscriptions atop triumphal arches.
"This is the first step in the creation of a virtual time machine, which our children and grandchildren will use to study the history of Rome and many other great cities around the world," said Bernard Frischer of the University of Virginia, who led the project.
The $2 million simulation will be used by scientists to run experiments — such as determining the crowd capacity of ancient buildings — and as a scholarly journal that will be updated at each new discovery of one of Rome's marvels.
Frischer also said students and tourists can also use the program to learn about ancient Rome.
The simulation reconstructs some 7,000 buildings at the time of emperor Constantine, when Rome was a vibrant and cosmopolitan city of about 1 million people, said Bernard Frischer of the University of Virginia, who led the project.
Guided by laser scans of modern-day Rome and advice from archaeologists, experts have rebuilt almost the entire city within its original 13-mile-long wall using the same computer programs architects use to plan new constructions, he said.
It even includes the interiors of about 30 buildings — among them the Senate, the Colosseum and the basilica built by the emperor Maxentius — complete with frescoes and decorations.
The simulation shows statues and monuments as they would appear without the dark smudges left by pollution. The computer experts also were able to accurately recreate buildings that are now almost in ruins, such as the temple dedicated to the goddesses Venus and Roma and the Meta Sudans, a fountain that stood near the Colosseum, Frischer said.
The program was created over 10 years by an international team of archaeologists, architects and computer specialists from the University of Virginia and UCLA, as well research institutes in Italy, Germany and Britain, he said.
Detail of the new computer model of ancient Rome shows the steps on the back side of the Caesarian Rostra, or speakers' platform, in an image released June 11, 2007. Rome reborn, the largest simulation of an ancient city ever made, was unveiled on Monday in a first release showing the city within the Aurelian walls at its peak in 320 A.D., under the emperor Constantine when it had grown to a million inhabitants. (UCLA/HO/Reuters)
Questo filetto è inutile senza immagini.
A first peek at the 31 monuments and 7,000 buildings is already available at www.romereborn.virginia.edu and the whole thing should be posted at a special new site within a year . . .
ping
Ping
Stocked with “virtual” Christians?
Interesting.
Looks as though they could use it for a computer or video game.
Thanks for the ping and link and for your thoughtful caring.
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Kratos, God of War bump
Noooooo! Rome's peak of power was under Trajan.
I’d rather cheer the Prince of Peace.
Though Amen-a-nut-job could stand some strong thumping.
where do i click?
whoa!
Then enjoy Constantine's Rome, the Emperor who converted to Christ.
Let us populate it with Roman avatars doing stuff like in Second Life or World of Warcraft and it would make millions.
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