An urban image in an urbanized landscape: measuring the visual impact of Tibur's amphitheater

A novel GIS visibility analysis reveals that Tibur's amphitheater, though extramural and infrequently used, significantly amplified the city's urban image from a distance. This monumental structure not only integrated suburban growth into the older urban center but also emphasized the city's status as both an annex of Rome and an autonomous municipium. The study quantifies its visual impact using empirical and qualitative scales adapted from modern assessments, demonstrating how it monumentalized alternative routes frequented by the villa-owning elite, thereby countering the ambiguous civic identity of Tibur.

Notarian, M. (2024). An urban image in an urbanized landscape: measuring the visual impact of Tibur’s amphitheater. Journal of Roman Archaeology, 37(1), 53–88. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1047759424000059