ORBIS -- The Stanford Geospatial Network Model of the Roman World

Stanford University ^ | May 2012 | Walter Scheidel & Elijah Meeks

[SunkenCiv]

In the aggregate, our model simulations make it possible to reconfigure conventional maps of the Roman Empire to express the relative cost of transfers from or to a central point as distance. This perspective captures the structural properties of the imperial system as a whole by identifying the relative position of particular elements of the network and illustrating the impact of travel speed and especially transport prices on overall connectivity. Distance cartograms show that due to massive cost differences between aquatic and terrestrial modes of transport, peripheries were far more remote from the center in terms of price than in terms of time. Due to an unexpectedly high volume of traffic to the site, performance of the routing map and interactive cartogram are not what they should be. If you experience delays performing route calculations or rendering the map, you can try refreshing the map by zooming in or out. Please do return next week -- these issues should be entirely solved by then. We are very sorry for any inconvenience! ORBIS is a novel resource for the study of the ancient world. This page hosts academic work that has been inspired and supported by our model. As work progresses, contributions will range from brief reports on specific aspects of the project to working paper versions of forthcoming print publications and open-access electronic publications of relevant scholarship.

[SunkenCiv]

[SunkenCiv]

GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach	join list or digest view topics view or post blog bookmark post a topic subscribe
Archaeologica was a little mined out, and dull, so I've just spent a few minutes cherry-picking at Dienekes' Anthropology 'blog. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list.

[GeronL]

big bump

[Rebelbase]

I wonder if the Alexandria and Carthage routes offered Frequent Sailing Miles for the business minded travelers?

[bunkerhill7]

This study completely ignores the Somali pirates who preyed upon unescorted unarmed Roman olive oil tankers.

[GreyFriar]

Obviously without Popeye there to defend her.

[GreyFriar]

Obviously without Popeye there to defend her.

[SunkenCiv]

;’)

[SunkenCiv]

The Roman navy Swee’pea the seven seas of piracy.

[2001convSVT]

If so, I would like to know what the cost difference is to go business class vs coach.