The Cardo Maximus Map: Sources & Methodology

Map Methodology & Sources

In Roman town planning, the Cardo Maximus (north–south) and Decumanus Maximus (east–west) formed the primary axes of the urban grid. These streets typically intersected at or near the forum—the civic and commercial center of the Roman city.

My research is informed by specialized archaeological studies, including:

• The Changing Landscape of Ancient Rome: Archaeology and History of the Palatine Hill – Sapienza Università di Roma (Verified Certificate)

• Roman Art and Archaeology – University of Arizona (Verified Certificate)

Locations included on this map represent cities where a Cardo Maximus and/or Decumanus Maximus are archaeologically preserved, historically documented, or reconstructed through established principles of Roman urban planning.

In some cases, modern streets follow the alignment of ancient Roman axes, reflecting the long-term continuity of the Roman street grid within later urban development.

Data points were compiled from archaeological reports, historical scholarship, urban morphology studies, and public heritage documentation related to Roman municipal planning. Each location is classified using a defined evidence framework based on the strength and type of available data, including:

• Archaeologically Preserved — Physical remains of the street are visible or excavated
• Historically Documented — Described in reliable historical or archaeological literature
• Urban Continuity — Modern streets follow the established alignment of a known Roman axis
• Reconstructed / Theoretical — Inferred from urban planning patterns, partial excavation, or scholarly reconstruction

Roman cities typically followed a standardized orthogonal plan organized around two principal axes:

• Cardo Maximus (north–south)
• Decumanus Maximus (east–west)

These axes commonly intersected at or near the forum and were often aligned with major city gates (portae).

Coordinates used in this project represent approximate locations for mapping and visualization purposes, typically corresponding to the best-known surviving section of a Roman street or its historically accepted alignment within the modern city.

This map is intended as a scholarly informed resource, not an exhaustive archaeological catalogue. Classifications reflect current scholarly understanding and will be refined as new archaeological evidence and research become available.

Confidence Classification

In addition to evidence type, each location is assigned a confidence level:

• High Confidence — Strong archaeological consensus with visible or well-documented remains
• Medium Confidence — Supported by partial remains, historical sources, or consistent urban alignment
• Low Confidence — Inferred from planning patterns, limited evidence, or scholarly reconstruction

This system allows the dataset to expand while maintaining transparency and analytical consistency.