<p>This paper presents an overview of chronological trends and regional patterns of architectural white marble use in Roman Italy between 200 BCE and 500 CE. Through a quantitative analysis of archaeometrically provenanced marble artefacts, the study shows significant differences in marble sourcing between Rome and smaller urban centres, reflecting two supply systems: a state-directed system for major public projects and a market-driven system for regional elite initiatives. While Carrara marble was the preferred choice in imperial and state projects, at least until the second century CE, local elites in other areas of Italy selected material according to economic and logistical considerations. Outside Rome, Carrara and Proconnesian marble emerged as the most commonly applied white marble for architecture, although with regional and temporal distinctions in their relative importance. Carrara dominated southern Italy until the end of the second century CE, while Proconnesian marble was the most applied architectural white marble already in the first and second centuries CE in the rest of the peninsula. From the second century CE, Proconnesos marble gained importance throughout the whole of Italy and surpassed Carrara as the main architectural white marble supplier.</p> Graphic abstract <p></p>