[5][6] Augustus had a world map engraved on marble, following the descriptions given in Agrippa's geographical work, the Commentarii.

[7] Agrippa began construction of the map before his death in 12 BC, after which his sister Vipsania Polla oversaw the project.

[8] It was not yet completed by 7 BC when Augustus opened the Campus Agrippae to the public.

It was considered inappropriate to interfere with another family's work so Augustus included a description of the portico that explained the process of its making.

[5] Although the Porticus Vipsania has not survived, a description of it is given in Natural History by Pliny the Elder, and it is also known through the Peutinger Map.