Golden+Milestone

The Golden Milestone ( or Milliarium Aurem )



Purpose:
The purpose of the Golden Milestone was to act as a a more grand and imposing version of the umbilicus urbis. Its role was as the center of the city, and as the center of Rome the milestone was considered the center of the world. In theory all roads were supposed to start from the milestone, and distances from **the gates** of Rome to other cities within the empire were marked on the base accordingly.



Backround: Construction of the milestone was ordered in 20 B.C. by the emperor Augustus. The pillar was a gilt Bronze covered marble pillar with a diameter of approximately 1 meter. The base was of marble. The milestone was located in the Forum Romanum between the Arch of Septimius Severus and the Temple of Saturn.