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This large-scale topographical map of the Roman Campagna, published in 1862 by Luigi Piale, presents a richly detailed rendering of the countryside surrounding Rome, showing its physical geography, classical antiquities, and modern developments, published shortly after Italy's unification and the crowning of Victor Emmanuel II as the first king of Italy on March 17, 1861. The map is both an archaeological and a geographical document, capturing the interplay of ancient Roman infrastructure with the 19th-century Papal States' landscape. 

During the 19th century, renewed scholarly and touristic interest in the Roman countryside—its ruins, road networks, and natural scenery—spurred a wave of cartographic documentation. The Roman Campagna (Campagna Romana), once the agricultural hinterland of the ancient capital and long prone to malaria, saw increased attention as Italy moved toward unification. Luigi Piale’s 1862 map responds to both antiquarian curiosity and the needs of a growing class of travelers, topographers, and scholars. Mapping both the "Stato Antico" (ancient state) and "Stato Moderno" (modern state), Piale combined data from archaeological surveys, classical sources, and contemporary topographic work.

The map highlights the key ancient roads radiating from Rome—the Via Appia, Via Flaminia, Via Cassia, and others—alongside aqueducts, tombs, and settlement ruins. Simultaneously, modern administrative boundaries, transportation routes, and inhabited areas are marked, offering a layered vision of continuity and transformation in the landscape. The inclusion of mountain ranges, lakes (such as Lago di Bracciano), and marshes contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the region’s geography.

The lower margin bears the dedication: “To the Right Honble George John Warren Lord Vernon." George John Warren, 5th Baron Vernon (1803–1866), was an English nobleman and distinguished scholar, renowned for his contributions to Italian studies. A fellow of the Accademia degli Arcadi—a Roman literary society devoted to classical ideals and poetic refinement—he spent considerable time in Italy and maintained residences in Rome and elsewhere. Lord Vernon is especially remembered for his monumental edition of Dante Alighieri’s Divina Commedia, which featured extensive notes and fine illustrations. His interests in classical and medieval Italian literature paralleled his support for archaeological and historical studies.