Tabula Italiae Antiquae in Regionis XI ab Augusto divisae, engraved in 1715 by Joanne Baptiste Liebaux for Guillaume De L’Isle and later imprinted by Philippe Buache, is a learned reconstruction of Italy at the dawn of the Roman Empire. With color-coded provinces and a title cartouche that signals its scholarly ambition, the map unites classical erudition with early Enlightenment science, “exacta” both to itinerant measurements and astronomical observations. Rivers, mountains, and coastlines are rendered with crisp clarity, while inscriptions fix the locations of storied towns across the peninsula and Sicily. The result is a rare, authoritative vista of Augustan Italy—an administrative and geographic portrait that allowed antiquarians and statesmen alike to read imperial structure directly on the land.

At its core is Augustus’s elevenfold division of the peninsula—Latium et Campania, Etruria, Umbria, Picenum, Samnium, Aemilia, Liguria, Venetia et Histria, and Transpadana among them—each cleanly distinguished and anchored by emblematic cities. Rome reigns at the center, with Ostia guarding its maritime lifeline and Capua, Naples, and Pompeii punctuating fertile Campania. In Etruria, Tarquinia, Veii, Volterra, Siena, and Arretium reveal an ancient heartland woven into Roman order. Northward, Bologna marks Aemilia’s arterial corridor, while Genoa fronts Liguria’s coast, and Milan, Pavia, Verona, and Aquileia attest to the strategic weight of the Po Valley and the Adriatic rim. The map notes differing civic statuses—from municipia to coloniae—signaling the legal gradations that underpinned Roman governance.

The Roman road system strides across the sheet like sinew and tendon. The Via Appia thrusts from Rome through Capua toward southern ports, complementing the coastal Via Aurelia that threads to Genoa along the Tyrrhenian. Inland, the Via Flaminia pushes through the Apennines, while the Via Cassia stitches Etruscan cities—Siena, Volterra, Arretium—into Rome’s orbit. East of the mountains, the Via Aemilia carries movement through Bologna and onward across Cisalpine towns, joining the Via Postumia on the approach to Aquileia, gateway to the northeastern frontier. These meticulously traced routes, derived from classical itineraries, reveal the logistical logic of empire: how legions marched, grain moved, and ideas spread, with Ostia as the capital’s port and hubs like Pompeii and Capua broadcasting Rome’s reach.

Physical geography is not mere backdrop here; it is policy in relief. The Apennines form a lasting spine that dictates corridors of travel and encloses river basins—the Arno near Florence, the Tiber through Rome, and the broad Po system northward that nourishes Milan, Pavia, and Verona. Alpine thresholds loom toward Venetia and Histria, emphasizing Aquileia’s role as a hinge to the Danubian world. Volcanic markers—Vesuvius above Naples and Etna above Catania—frame Campania and eastern Sicily, while Syracuse anchors Hellenic legacies on the island’s coast. In the center-west, the Etruscan plateau around Tarquinia and Veii articulates an older political culture absorbed by Rome, and along the Adriatic the ancient Hadria (Atri) evokes the very naming of the sea itself.

Artistically, the map exemplifies early eighteenth-century engraving: legible yet lush, densely informative yet composed. Its cartouche affirms the work’s intellectual pedigree, tying De L’Isle’s rigorous geography to Buache’s later stewardship—an influential succession that helped define French scientific cartography. Cities are inscribed with care—Rome, Naples (Neapolis), Milan (Mediolanum), Florence (Florentia), Bologna (Bononia), Genoa (Genua), Siena (Saena Julia), Pavia (Ticinum), Verona, Aquileia, Catania, Syracuse, Volterra, Arretium, Tarquinia, Ostia, Capua, Pompeii, Veii, and Atri—inviting the viewer to follow their fortunes from antiquity to the present. Long prized by historians and classicists and rarely encountered—last recorded in a dealer’s catalog in 2006—this map remains a definitive visual key to Augustan order and the lived geography of Rome’s Italian heart.

Places on this map

• Rome
• Naples
• Milan
• Florence
• Bologna
• Genoa
• Siena
• Tarquinia
• Ostia
• Capua
• Pavia
• Veii
• Pompeii
• Verona
• Aquileia
• Catania
• Syracuse
• Volterra
• Arretium (Arezzo)
• Atri

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Color-coded regions marking each of the eleven Augustan divisions
• Roman roads showing major routes of the era
• Geographical markings including rivers, mountains, and coastlines
• Inscriptions labeling important towns and geographic features
• Cartouche design providing the map’s title and production details

Historical and design context

• Title: Tabula Italiae Antiquae in Regionis XI ab Augusto divisae et tum ad mensuras itinerarias tum ad observationes astronomicas exactae
• Creation date: 1715
• Engraved by Joanne Baptiste Liebaux for Guillaume De L'Isle; later imprinted by Philippe Buache
• Philippe Buache succeeded De L'Isle, enhancing the legacy of French cartography
• Reflects the 11 regions of Italy established by Augustus
• Depicts Italy at the start of the Roman Imperial era with varying political statuses of territories
• Highlights cities with varying degrees of independence, such as municipia and coloniae
• Themes: Roman political divisions; historical governance structures during the Roman Empire
• Regions: Displays ancient Italy, including regions corresponding to modern Italy
• Design/style: Engraved with intricate details typical of the early 18th century
• Historical significance: Provides insight into the administrative organization of Italy under Roman rule
• Serves as a critical reference for understanding the geographical and political landscape during Augustus's time
• Provenance note: Last seen in a dealer catalog in 2006

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me and I'll get it fixed ASAP, free of charge. Please see my returns and refund policy for more information.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 5,000 real 5-star reviews. My work has been featured in interior design magazines, on the BBC, and on the walls of dozens of 5-star hotels.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest. I stand by my products and will always make sure you're 100% happy with what you receive.

Almost all of my maps and art prints look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.