The Eternal City: A History of Rome in Maps

University of Chicago Press, 2020 4to (29 cm),VII, 199 pp. Publisher's cloth and dust jacket. "The first English-language book to tell Rome’s rich story through its maps, 'The Eternal City' beautifully captures the past, present, and future of one of the most famous and enduring places on the planet. Jessica Maier considers Rome through the eyes of mapmakers and artists who have managed to capture something of its essence over the centuries. Viewing the city as not one but ten “Romes,” she explores how the varying maps and art reflect each era’s key themes. Ranging from modest to magnificent, the images comprise singular aesthetic monuments like paintings and grand prints as well as more popular and practical items like mass-produced tourist plans, archaeological surveys, and digitizations. The most iconic and important images of the city appear alongside relatively obscure, unassuming items that have just as much to teach us about Rome’s past. Through 140 full-color images and thoughtful overviews of each era, Maier provides an accessible, comprehensive look at Rome’s many overlapping layers of history in this landmark volume." (from the publisher's description)