Invisible Walls: 3D Relief and a Perception Analysis of Ancient Naples’ Greek Fortifications

In ancient Greece and Rome, the fortifications of a city meant something more than just protection against enemies; they symbolized a broader distinction between inside and outside, civilization and the wilderness, identity and foreignness. According to classical sources like Statius, Naples’ walls were renowned for their seemingly invincible nature. Today, only some ruins remain, mainly of their foundations, swallowed up by the later metropolis that grew on the Greek foundations; this study focuses on two sections of the walls, each with an intriguing history of discovery: the ones located in modern Piazza Bellini and the remains of the porta herculanensis, affectionately referred to as “Cippo ‘a Forcella” by Neapolitans. Using photogrammetry and 3D modeling, this thesis offers a thorough examination at the core architectonical and topical elements of these bastions of Neapolitan history, analyzing the composition of the walls, how much is known now and the ongoing questions surrounding them in the modern discourse around these structures. Using this mixed-methods approach, that combines analytical methods with informed graphic renderings, this study also seeks to answer another question, which might seem distinct but is closely linked upon further examination: why don't modern Neapolitans, unlike their ancestors, perceive these structures as fundamental heritage objects, instead ignoring and neglecting their integrity?