In Italy on the Roman Consular Roads

An interesting promotional effort by Mussolini’s Fascist Italian Government.

One of the underlying themes propelling Mussolini’s totalitarian government in the 1930’s was a connection between the modern Italian state and that of the Roman Empire. The Fascist Italian Empire was considered, domestically at least, a third Rome (after the ancient and Renaissance versions). This link to the past was used in full to promote policies of imperialism, racism and extreme exercise of force that were tangentially based on policies of earlier eras. Other associations between past, present and future were identified in art, literature, architecture and commerce.

This map is an excellent example of how the relationship between ancient Rome and modern Italy was propagated at home and afield. The Via Aurelia is one of the oldest highways (still operating today as Italian State Highway 1) on the Earth and linked Rome with its upper provinces in Gaul (now France). The 400 mile route between Rome and Ventimiglia largely follows the coast of the Adriatic Sea and is recreated in full on this double sided accordion style map. To aid in navigation, mileage markers, compass roses and supplemental directions are provided at regular intervals. Text with information on local attractions portrays a leisurely drive through the charming Italian countryside, punctuated by welcoming villages and ancient ruins. A far cry from the terror Mussolini’s blackshirts were wreaking on Italian citizenry, but this staggering level of hypocrisy was rampant during his dictatorship.