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CHAPTER III.

[1] THE Sabini occupy a narrow country, its length from the Tiber and the small city of Nomentum¹ to the Vestini being 1000 stadia. They have but few cities, and these have suffered severely in their continual wars [with the Romans]. Such are Amiternum² and Reate,³ which is near to the village of Interocrea⁴ and the cold waters at Cotyliae, which are taken by patients, both as drink and as baths, for the cure of various maladies. The rocks of Foruli,⁵ likewise, belong to the Sabini; fitted rather for rebellion than peaceable habitation. Cures is now a small village, although formerly a famous city: whence came Titus Tatius and Numa Pompilius, kings of Rome. From this place is derived the name of Quirites, which the orators give to the Romans when they address the people. Trebula,⁶ Eretum,⁷ and other similar places, must be looked upon rather as villages than cities. The whole land [of Sabina] is singularly fertile in olive-trees and vines, it produces also many acorns, and besides has excellent cattle: the mules bred at Reate⁸ are much celebrated. In one word, the whole of Italy is rich both in cattle and vegetable productions; although certain articles may be finer in some districts than in others. The race of the Sabini is extremely ancient, they are Autochthones. The Picentini and Samnitae descend from them, as do the Leucani from these latter, and the Bruttii again from these. A proof of their antiquity may be found in the bravery and valour which they have maintained till the present time. Fabius,⁹ the historian, says that the Romans first knew what wealth was when they became masters of this nation. The Via Salaria, which however does not extend far, runs through their country: the Via Nomentana, which commences likewise at the Porta Collina, falls in with the Via Salaria near to Eretum, a village of Sabina lying above the Tiber.

[2] Beyond Sabina is Latium, wherein the city of Rome is situated. It comprises many places which formed no part of ancient Latium. For the Aequi, the Volsci, the Hernici, the aborigines around Rome, the Rutuli who possessed ancient Ardea, and many other nations, some larger, some smaller, formed so many separate states around Rome, when that city was first built. Some of these nations, who dwelt in villages, were governed by their own laws, and subjected to no common tribe. They say¹⁰ that Aeneas, with his father Anchises and his child Ascanius, arrived at Laurentum,¹¹ near to Ostia and the bank of the Tiber, where he built a city about 24 stadia above the sea. That Latinus, the king of the aborigines who then dwelt on the site where Rome now stands, employed his forces to aid Aeneas against the neighbouring Rutuli who inhabited Ardea, (now from Ardea to Rome is a distance of 160 stadia,) and having gained a victory, he built near to the spot a city, to which he gave the name of his daughter Lavinia. However, in a second battle, commenced by the Rutuli, Latinus fell, and Aeneas, being conqueror, succeeded this prince on the throne, and conferred on his subjects the name of Latini. After the death both of himself and his father, Ascanius founded Alba,¹² on Mount Albanus,¹³ situated about the same distance from Rome as Ardea. Here the Romans and Latini conjointly offer sacrifice to Jupiter. The magistracy all assemble, and during the period of the solemnity the government of the city is intrusted to some distinguished youth. The facts related of Amulius and his brother Numitor, some of which are fictitious, while others approach nearer the truth, occurred four hundred years later. These two brothers, who were descended from Ascanius, succeeded conjointly to the government of Alba, which extended as far as the Tiber. However, Amulius the younger, having expelled the elder, governed [alone]. Numitor had a son and a daughter; the former Amulius treacherously murdered in the chase; the latter, that she might remain childless, he made a priestess of Vesta, thus imposing virginity upon her. This [daughter] they name Rhea Silvia. Afterwards he discovered that she was pregnant, and when she had given birth to twins, he, out of respect to his brother, placed her in confinement, instead of putting her to death, and exposed the boys by the Tiber according to a national usage. According to the mythology, Mars was the father of these children, and when they were exposed they were discovered and suckled by a she-wolf. Faustulus, one of the swine-herds of the place, took and reared them up, and named one Romulus, the other Remus. (We must understand that Faustulus, who took them up and nourished them, was an influential man, and a subject of Amulius.) Having arrived at man’s estate, they waged war upon Amulius and his sons; and having slain them, restored the government to Numitor. They then returned home and founded Rome, in a locality selected rather through necessity than choice, as the site was neither fortified by nature, nor sufficiently large for a city of importance. In addition to this, the neighbourhood supplied no inhabitants; for those who dwelt around, even though touching the very walls of the newly founded city, kept to themselves, and would have nothing at all to do with the Albani. Collatia, Antemnae, Fidenae, Labicum,¹⁴ and similar places are here alluded to, which then were small cities, but are now villages possessed by private individuals; they are distant from Rome 30 or 40¹⁵ stadia, or rather more. Between the fifth and sixth mile-stone which marks the distance from Rome there is a place named Festi; this they say was at that time the limit of the Roman territory, and at the present day, both here and in numerous other places which they consider to have been boundaries, the priests offer the sacrifice denominated Ambarvia.¹⁶ They say that, at the time of the foundation [of the city], a dispute arose in which Remus lost his life. The city being built, Romulus assembled men from every quarter, and instituted for an asylum a grove between the citadel and the Capitol, to which whoever fled from the neighbouring states, he proclaimed as Roman citizens. Not having wives for these men, he appointed a horse-race in honour of Neptune, which is celebrated to this day. Numbers [of spectators] having assembled, particularly of the Sabini, he commanded that each of those who were in want of a wife, should carry off one of the assembled maidens. Titus Tatius, king of the Quirites, took up arms to avenge the insult, but made peace with Romulus on condition that their kingdoms should be united, and that they should divide the sovereignty between them. Tatius, however, was treacherously assassinated in Lavinium, upon which Romulus, with the consent of the Quirites, reigned alone. After him Numa Pompilius, formerly a subject of Tatius, assumed the government, by the general desire of the people. Such is the most authentic account of the foundation of Rome.

[3] However, there also exists another more ancient and mythical account, to the effect that Rome was an Arcadian colony planted by Evander. He entertained Hercules when driving the oxen of Geryon, and being informed by his mother Nicostrata, (who was skilled in the art of prophecy,) that when Hercules should have completed his labours it was fore-ordained that he should be enrolled amongst the gods; he informed him of the matter, consecrated to him a grove, and offered sacrifice to him after the Grecian mode; a sacrifice which is continued in honour of Hercules to this day. The Roman historian Coelius is of opinion that this is a proof that Rome is a Grecian colony, the sacrifice to Hercules after the Grecian mode having been brought over from their fatherland. The Romans also worship the mother of Evander under the name of Carmentis,¹⁷ considering her one of the nymphs.

[4] Thus then the Latini originally were few in number, and for the most part under no subjection to the Romans; but afterwards, being struck by the valour of Romulus and the kings who succeeded him, they all submitted. But the Aequi,¹⁸ the Volsci, the Hernici; and before them the Rutuli, the aborigines, the Rhaeci, together with certain of the Argyrusci and the Preferni,¹⁹ being subdued, the whole of their different countries were included under the name of Latium. To the Volsci pertained the pomentine plain, bordering on the territory of the Latini, and the city of Apiola, levelled to the ground²⁰ by Tarquinius Priscus. The Aequi principally were neighbours to the Quirites, whose cities Tarquinius Priscus likewise devastated. His son took Suessa,²¹ the metropolis of the Volsci. The Hernici dwelt near to Lanuvium, Alba, and to Rome itself; neither were Aricia,²² the Tellenae, and Antium²³ at any great distance. The Albani were at first friendly with the Romans, speaking as they did the same language, and being likewise of the Latin stock; and though they were under separate governments, this did not prevent them from marrying together, nor from performing in common the sacred ceremonies at Alba, and other civil rites. In after-time, however, war having sprung up, Alba was entirely destroyed with the exception of the temple, and the Albani were declared citizens of Rome. Of the other surrounding cities, those which resisted were either destroyed or enfeebled, while others, which were friendly to the Romans, flourished. At the present day the coast from Ostia to the city of Sinuessa²⁴ is denominated the Latin coast; formerly the country thus designated extended only so far as Circaeum.²⁵ The interior also [of Latium] was formerly small; but it afterwards extended to Campania, the Samnitae, the Peligni,²⁶ and other nations dwelling around the Apennines.

[5] The whole [of Latium] is fertile, and abounding in every production, with the exception of a few districts along the coast, which are marshy and unhealthy; such as the country of Ardea, the lands between Antium and Lanuvium as far as Pometia, and certain of the districts of Setia,²⁷ Terracina, and Circaeum. Some parts may also be too mountainous and rocky; but even these are not absolutely idle and useless, since they furnish abundant pasturage, wood, and the peculiar productions of the marsh and rock; while Caecubum, which is entirely marshy, nourishes a vine, the dendritis,²⁸ which produces the most excellent wine. Of the maritime cities of Latium, one is Ostia. This city has no port, owing to the accumulation of the alluvial deposit Brought down by the Tiber, which is swelled by numerous rivers; vessels therefore bring to anchor further out, but not without danger; however, gain overcomes every thing, for there is an abundance of lighters in readiness to freight and unfreight the larger ships, before they approach the mouth of the river, and thus enable them to perform their voyage speedily. Being lightened of a part of their cargo, they enter the river and sail up to Rome, a distance of about 190 stadia. Such is the city of Ostia, founded by Ancus Martius. Next in order comes Antium, which city is likewise destitute of any port; it is situated on rocks, and about 260 stadia distant from Ostia. At the present day it is devoted to the leisure and recreation of statesmen from their political duties, whenever they can find time, and is in consequence covered with sumptuous mansions suited to such rusticating. The inhabitants of Antium had formerly a marine, and even after they were under subjection to the Romans, took part with the Tyrrhenian pirates. Of this, first, Alexander sent to complain; after him Demetrius, having taken many of these pirates, sent them to the Romans, saying that he would surrender them their persons on account of their affinity to the Greeks, and remarking at the same time, that it seemed to him a great impropriety, that those who held sway over the whole of Italy should send out pirates, and that they who had consecrated in their forum a temple to the honour of the Dioscuri,²⁹ whom all denominated the Saviours, should likewise send to commit acts of piracy on Greece, which was the father-land of those divinities. Hereupon the Romans put a stop to this occupation [piracy]. Between these two cities is Lavinium, which contains a temple of Venus common to all the Latini, the care of which is intrusted to the priests of Ardea. After this is Laurentum;³⁰ and above these lies Ardea, a colony of the Rutuli, 70 stadia from the sea; near to it is another temple of Venus, where all the Latini hold a public festival. These regions have been ravaged by the Samnitae, and only the traces of the cities left; but even these are reverenced on account of the arrival of Aeneas here, and of the religious rites which they say were bequeathed from those times.

[6] At 290 stadia from Antium is Mount Circaeum, insulated by the sea and marshes. They say that it contains numerous roots, but this perhaps is only to harmonize with the myth relating to Circe. It has a small city, together with a temple to Circe and an altar to Minerva; they likewise say that a cup is shown which belonged to Ulysses. Between [Antium and Circaeum] is the river Stura,³¹ which has a station for ships: the rest of the coast is exposed to the southwest wind,³² with the exception of this small harbour of Circaeum.³³ Above this, in the interior, is the Pomentine plain: the region next to this was formerly inhabited by the Ausonians, who likewise possessed Campania: next after these the Osci, who also held part of Campania; now, however, as we have remarked, the whole, as far as Sinuessa, belongs to the Latini. A peculiar fate has attended the Osci and Ausonians; for although the Osci have ceased to exist as a distinct tribe, their dialect is extant among the Romans, dramatic and burlesque pieces composed in it being still represented at certain games which were instituted in ancient times. And as for the Ausonians, although they never have dwelt by the sea of Sicily,³⁴ it is named the Ausonian Sea. At 100 stadia from Circaeum is Tarracina, formerly named Trachina,³⁵ on account of its ruggedness; before it is a great marsh, formed by two rivers, the larger of which is called the Aufidus.³⁶ This is the first place where the Via Appia approaches the sea. This road is paved from Rome to Brundusium,³⁷ and has great traffic. Of the maritime cities, these alone are situated on it; Tarracina, beyond it Formiae,³⁸ Minturnae,³⁹ Sinuessa,⁴⁰ and towards its extremity Tarentum and Brundusium. Near to Tarracina, advancing in the direction of Rome, a canal runs by the side of the Via Appia, which is supplied at intervals by water from the marshes and rivers. Travellers generally sail up it by night, embarking in the evening, and landing in the morning to travel the rest of their journey by the way; however, during the day the passage boat is towed by mules.⁴¹ Beyond is Formiae, founded by the Lacedaemonians, and formerly called Hormiae, on account of its excellent port. Between these [two cities],⁴² is a gulf which they have named Caiata,⁴³ in fact all gulfs are called by the Lacedaemonians Caietae: some, however, say that the gulf received this appellation from [Caieta], the nurse of Aeneas. From Tarracina to the promontory of Caiata is a length of 100 stadia. Here⁴⁴ are opened vast caverns, which contain large and sumptuous mansions. From hence to Formiae is a distance of 40 stadia. Between this city and Sinuessa, at a distance of about 80 stadia from each, is Minturnae. The river Liris,⁴⁵ formerly named the Clanis, flows through it. It descends from the Apennines, passes through the country of the Vescini,⁴⁶ and by the village of Fregellae, (formerly a famous city,) and so into a sacred grove situated below the city, and held in great veneration by the people of Minturnae. There are two islands, named Pandataria and Pontia,⁴⁷ lying in the high sea, and clearly discernible from the caverns. Although small, they are well inhabited, are not at any great distance from each other, and at 250 stadia from the mainland. Caecubum is situated on the gulf of Caiata, and next to it Fundi, a city on the Via Appia. All these places produce excellent wines; but those of Caecubum, Fundi, and Setia⁴⁸ are most in repute, and so are the Falernian, Alban,⁴⁹ and Statanian wines. Sinuessa is situated in a gulf from which it takes its name, sinus signifying [in Latin] a gulf. Near to it are some fine hot-baths, good for the cure of various maladies. Such are the maritime cities of Latium.

[7] In the interior, the first city above Ostia is Rome; it is the only city built on the Tiber. It has been remarked above, that its position was fixed, not by choice, but necessity; to this must be added, that those who afterwards enlarged it, were not at liberty to select a better site, being prevented by what was already built. The first [kings] fortified the Capitol, the Palatium, and the Collis Quirinalis, which was so easy of access, that when Titus Tatius came to avenge the rape of the [Sabine] virgins, he took it on the first assault. Ancus Marcius, who added Mount Caelius and the Aventine Mount with the intermediate plain, separated as these places were both from each other and from what had been formerly fortified, was compelled to do this of necessity; since he did not consider it proper to leave outside his walls, heights so well protected by nature, to whomsoever might have a mind to fortify themselves upon them, while at the same time he was not capable of enclosing the whole as far as Mount Quirinus. Servius perceived this defect, and added the Esquiline and Viminal hills. As these were both of easy access from without, a deep trench was dug outside them and the earth thrown up on the inside, thus forming a terrace of 6 stadia in length along the inner side of the trench. This terrace he surmounted with a wall flanked with towers, and extending from the Colline⁵⁰ to the Esquiline gate. Midway along the terrace is a third gate, named after the Viminal hill. Such is the Roman rampart, which seems to stand in need of other ramparts itself. But it seems to me that the first [founders] were of opinion, both in regard to themselves and their successors, that Romans had to depend not on fortifications, but on arms and their individual valour, both for safety and for wealth, and that walls were not a defence to men, but men were a defence to walls. At the period of its commencement, when the large and fertile districts surrounding the city belonged to others, and while it lay easily open to assault, there was nothing in its position which could be looked upon as favourable; but when by valour and labour these districts became its own, there succeeded a tide of prosperity surpassing the advantages of every other place. Thus, notwithstanding the prodigious increase of the city, there has been plenty of food, and also of wood and stone for ceaseless building, rendered necessary by the falling down of houses, and on account of conflagrations, and of the sales, which seem never to cease. These sales are a kind of voluntary falling down of houses, each owner knocking down and rebuilding one part or another, according to his individual taste. For these purposes the numerous quarries, the forests, and the rivers which convey the materials, offer wonderful facilities. Of these rivers, the first is the Teverone,⁵¹ which flows from Alba, a city of the Latins near to the country of the Marsi, and from thence through the plain below this [city], till it unites with the Tiber. After this come the Nera⁵² and the Timia,⁵³ which passing through Ombrica fall into the Tiber, and the Chiana,⁵⁴ which flows through Tyrrhenia and the territory of Clusiumn.⁵⁵ Augustus Caesar endeavoured to avert from the city damages of the kind alluded to, and instituted a company of freedmen, who should be ready to lend their assistance in cases of conflagration;⁵⁶ whilst, as a preventive against the falling of houses, he decreed that all new buildings should not be carried so high as formerly, and that those erected along the public ways should not exceed seventy feet in height.⁵⁷ But these improvements must have ceased only for the facilities afforded by the quarries, the forests, and the ease of transport.

[8] These advantages accrued to the city from the nature of the country; but the foresight of the Romans added others besides. The Grecian cities are thought to have flourished mainly on account of the felicitous choice made by their founders, in regard to the beauty and strength of their sites, their proximity to some port, and the fineness of the country. But the Roman prudence was more particularly employed on matters which had received but little attention from the Greeks, such as paving their roads, constructing aqueducts, and sewers, to convey the sewage of the city into the Tiber. In fact, they have paved the roads, cut through hills, and filled up valleys, so that the merchandise may be conveyed by carriage from the ports. The sewers, arched over with hewn stones, are large enough in some parts for waggons loaded with hay to pass through; while so plentiful is the supply of water from the aqueducts, that rivers may be said to flow through the city and the sewers, and almost every house is furnished with water-pipes and copious fountains. To effect which Marcus Agrippa directed his special attention; he likewise bestowed upon the city numerous ornaments. We may remark, that the ancients, occupied with greater and more necessary concerns, paid but little attention to the beautifying of Rome. But their successors, and especially those of our own day, without neglecting these things, have at the same time embellished the city with numerous and splendid objects. Pompey, divus Caesar, and Augustus, with his children, friends, wife, and sister, have surpassed all others in their zeal and munificence in these decorations. The greater number of these may be seen in the Campus Martius, which to the beauties of nature adds those of art. The size of the plain is marvellous, permitting chariot-races and other feats of horsemanship without impediment, and multitudes to exercise themselves at ball,⁵⁸ in the circus⁵⁹ and the paloestra. The structures which surround it, the turf covered with herbage all the year round, the summits of the hills beyond the Tiber, extending from its banks with panoramic effect, present a spectacle which the eye abandons with regret. Near to this plain is another surrounded with columns, sacred groves, three theatres, an amphitheatre, and superb temples in close contiguity to each other; and so magnificent, that it would seem idle to describe the rest of the city after it. For this cause the Romans, esteeming it as the most sacred place, have there erected funeral monuments to the most illustrious persons of either sex. The most remarkable of these is that designated as the Mausoleum,⁶⁰ which consists of a mound of earth raised upon a high foundation of white marble, situated near the river, and covered to the top with ever-green shrubs. Upon the summit is a bronze statue of Augustus Caesar, and beneath the mound are the ashes⁶¹ of himself, his relatives, and friends. Behind is a large grove containing charming promenades. In the centre of the plain,⁶² is the spot where this prince was reduced to ashes; it is surrounded with a double enclosure, one of marble, the other of iron, and planted within with poplars. If from hence you proceed to visit the ancient forum, which is equally filled with basilicas, porticos, and temples, you will there behold the Capitol, the Palatium, with the noble works which adorn them, and the piazza of Livia, each successive place causing you speedily to forget what you have before seen. Such is Rome.

[9] Of the other cities of Latium, some are distinguished by a variety of remarkable objects, others by the celebrated roads which intersect Latium, being situated either upon, or near to, or between these roads, the most celebrated of which are the Via Appia, the Via Latina, and the Via Valeria. The former of these bounds the maritime portion of Latium, as far as Sinuessa, the latter extends along Sabina as far as the Marsi, whilst between these is the Via Latina, which falls in with the Via Appia near to Casilinum,⁶³ a city distant from Capua⁶⁴ 19 stadia. The Via Latina commences from the Via Appia, branching from it towards the left, near to Rome. It passes over the Tusculan mountain, between the city of Tusculum⁶⁵ and Mount Albanus; it then descends to the little city of Algidum,⁶⁶ and the Pictae tavern; afterwards the Via Lavicana joins it, which commences, like the Via Praenestina, from the Esquiline gate. This road, as well as the Esquiline plain, the Via Lavicana leaves on the left; it then proceeds a distance of 120 stadia, or more, when it approaches Lavicum, an ancient city now in ruins, situated on an eminence; this and Tusculum it leaves on the right, and terminates near to Pictae in the Via Latina. This place is 210 stadia distant from Rome. Proceeding thence along the Via Latina there are noble residences, and the cities Ferentinum,⁶⁷ Frusino,⁶⁸ by which the river Cosa flows, Fabrateria,⁶⁹ by which flows the river Sacco,⁷⁰ Aquinum,⁷¹ a large city, by which flows the great river Melfa,⁷² Interamnium, situated at the confluence of two rivers, the Garigliano and another, Casinum, also an important city, and the last of those belonging to Latium. For Teanum, called Sidicinum,⁷³ which lies next in order, shows by its name that it belongs to the nation of the Sidicini. These people are Osci, a surviving nation of the Campani, so that this city, which is the largest of those situated upon the Via Latina, may be said to be Campanian; as well as that of Cales,⁷⁴ another considerable city which lies beyond, and is contiguous to Casilinum.⁷⁵

[10] As to the places situated on either side of the Via Latina, those on the right are between it and the Via Appia; of their number are Setia⁷⁶ and Signia,⁷⁷ which produce wine, that of Setia being one of the dearest wines, and that called Signium the best for strengthening the stomach. Before this⁷⁸ are Privernum,⁷⁹ Cora,⁸⁰ Suessa,⁸¹ ‘ Trapontium,⁸² Velitrae,⁸³ Aletrium,⁸⁴ and also Fregellae,⁸⁵ by which the Garigliano flows, which discharges itself [into the sea] near Minturnae. Fregellae, though now a village, was formerly a considerable city, and the chief of the surrounding places we have just named. Even now their inhabitants throng to it on market days, and for the performance of certain religious solemnities. Its defection from the Romans was the cause of its ruin.⁸⁶ Both these, and also the cities lying on the Via Latina and beyond, situated in the territories of the Hernici, Aequi, and Volsci, were for the most part founded by the Romans. To the left of the Via Latina, the cities between it and the Via Valeria, are, Gabii,⁸⁷ standing in the Via Preenestina, it possesses a stone-quarry, in greater demand at Rome than any other, and is at an equal distance of about 100 stadia between Rome and Praeneste.⁸⁸ Then Praeneste, of which we shall have occasion presently to speak. Then, in the mountains above Praeneste, Capitulum, a small city of the Hernici, and Anagnia,⁸⁹ a considerable city; Cereate,⁹⁰ and Sora, by which the river Garigliano⁹¹ flows as it passes on to Fregellae, and Minturnoe. After these there are other places, and finally, Venafrum,⁹² from whence comes the finest oil. This city is situated on a high hill by the foot of which flows the Volturno,⁹³ which passing by Casilinum,⁹⁴ discharges itself [into the sea] at a city⁹⁵ bearing the same name as itself. Aesernia⁹⁶ and Alliphae,⁹⁷ cities of the Samnites, the former was destroyed in the Marsian war,⁹⁸ the other still remains.

[11] The Via Valeria, commencing from Tibura,⁹⁹ leads to the country of the Marsi, and to Corfinium,¹⁰⁰ the metropolis of the Peligni. Upon it are situated the Latin cities of Valeria,¹⁰¹ Carseoli,¹⁰² Alba,¹⁰³ and near to it the city of Cuculum.¹⁰⁴ Within sight of Rome are Tibura, Praeneste, and Tusculum.¹⁰⁵ At Tibura is a temple of Hercules, and a cataract formed by the fall of the Teverone¹⁰⁶ (which is here navigable,) from a great height into a deep and wooded ravine close to the city. From thence the river flows through a highly fertile plain along by the Tiburtine stone-quarries, those of the Gabii, and those denominated the red-stone quarries. As both the carriage from the quarries and the conveyance by river are easy, most of the Roman edifices are built of materials from hence. In this plain flow the cold waters called Albula, they spring from numerous fountains, and are taken both as a beverage and as baths,¹⁰⁷ for the cure of various diseases. Of the same kind are the Labanae,¹⁰⁸ not far from these, on the Via Nomentana, and near to Eretum.¹⁰⁹ At Praeneste is the celebrated temple and oracle of Fortune. Both this and the preceding city are situated on the same chain of mountains, and are distant from each other 100 stadia. Praeneste is 200 stadia from Rome, Tibura less than that distance. They are said to be both of Grecian foundation, Praeneste being formerly named Polystephanus. They are both fortified, but Praeneste is the stronger place of the two, having for its citadel a lofty mountain, which overhangs the town, and is divided at the back from the adjoining mountain range by a neck of land. This mountain is two stadia higher than the neck in direct altitude. In addition to these [natural] defences, the city is furnished on all sides with subterraneous passages, which extend to the plains, and some of which serve to convey water, while others form secret ways; it was in one of these that Marius¹¹⁰ perished, when he was besieged. Other cities are in most instances benefited by a strong position, but to the people of Praeneste it has proved a bane, owing to the civil wars of the Romans. For hither the revolutionary movers take refuge, and when at last they surrender, in addition to the injury sustained by the city during the war, the country is confiscated, and the guilt thus imputed to the guiltless. The river Verestis¹¹¹ flows through this region. The said cities are to the east of Rome.

[12] But within-side the chain of mountains, [where these cities are situated,] there is another ridge, leaving a valley between it and Mount Algidus; it is lofty, and extends as far as Mount Albanus.¹¹² It is on this ridge that Tusculum is situated, a city which is not wanting in adornment, being entirely surrounded by ornamental plantations and edifices, particularly that part of it which looks towards Rome. For on this side Tusculum presents a fertile hill, well irrigated, and with numerous gentle slopes embellished with majestic palaces. Contiguous are the undulating slopes of Mount Albanus, which are equally fertile and ornamented. Beyond are plains which extend some of them to Rome and its environs, others to the sea; these latter are unhealthy, but the others are salubrious and well cultivated. Next after Albanum is the city Aricia, on the Appian Way. It is 160 stadia from Rome. This place is situated in a hollow, and has a strong citadel.¹¹³ Beyond it on one side of the way is Lanuvium,¹¹⁴ a Roman city on the right of the Via Appia, and from which both the sea and Antium may be viewed. On the other side is the Artemisium,¹¹⁵ which is called Nemus,¹¹⁶ on the left side of the way, leading from Aricia to the temple.¹¹⁷ They say that it is consecrated to Diana Taurica, and certainly the rites performed in this temple are something barbarous and Scythic. They appoint as priest a fugitive who has murdered the preceding priest with his own hand. Apprehensive of an attack upon himself, the priest is always armed with a sword, ready for resistance. The temple is in a grove, and before it is a lake of considerable size. The temple and water are surrounded by abrupt and lofty precipices, so that they seem to be situated in a deep and hollow ravine. The springs by which the lake is filled are visible. One of these is denominated Egeria, after the name of a certain divinity; however, their course on leaving the lake is subterraneous, but they may be observed at some distance, when they rise to the surface of the ground.

[13] Near to these localities is Mount Albanus,¹¹⁸ which is much higher than either the Artemisium or the heights surrounding it, although these are sufficiently lofty and precipitous. It has likewise a lake,¹¹⁹ much larger than that of the Artemisium. Further forward than these are the cities on the Via Latina, we have already mentioned. Alba¹²⁰ is the most inland of all the Latin cities; it borders on the Marsi, and is situated on a high hill near to Lake Fucinus. This [lake] is vast as a sea, and is of great service to the Marsi and all the surrounding nations. They say, that at times its waters rise to the height of the mountains which surround it, and at others subside so much, that the places which had been covered with water reappear and may be cultivated; however, the subsidings of the waters occur irregularly and without previous warning, and are followed by their rising again; the springs fail altogether and gush out again after a time; as they say is the case with the Amenanus,¹²¹ which flows through Catana,¹²² for after remaining dry for a number of years, it again flows. It is reported that the Marcian¹²³ water, which is drunk at Rome in preference to any other, has its source in [Lake] Fucinus. As Alba is situated in the depths of the country, and is besides a strong position, the Romans have often employed it as a place of security, for lodging important prisoners.¹²⁴

Geography. Strabo. Hans Claude Hamilton (Translator), William Falconer (Translator). London. 1854-1857.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by Tufts University.

Current edition Perseus

Geography (English) (Strabo. The Geography of Strabo, Vols. 1-3. Hamilton, Hans Claude, translator; Falconer, William, translator. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1854-1857.)

Editions (1)

Γεωγραφικά Perseus (Strabo. Strabonis Geographica, Vols. 1-3. Meineke, August, editor. Leipzig: Teubner. 1877.) — 5.3 focus

[1] σαβῖνοι δὲ στενὴν οἰκοῦσι χώραν, ἐπὶ μῆκος δὲ διήκουσαν καὶ χιλίων σταδίων ἀπὸ τοῦ Τιβέρεως καὶ Νωμεντοῦ πολίχνης μέχρι Ὀυηστίνων. πόλεις δʼ ἔχουσιν ὀλίγας καὶ τεταπεινωμένας διὰ τοὺς συνεχεῖς πολέμους, Ἀμίτερνον καὶ Ῥεᾶτε, ᾧ πλησιάζει κώμη Ἰντεροκρέα καὶ τὰ ἐν Κωτιλίαις ψυχρὰ ὕδατα, ἀφʼ ὧν καὶ πίνουσι καὶ ἐγκαθίζοντες θεραπεύονται νόσους. Σαβίνων δʼ εἰσὶ καὶ οἱ Φόρουλοι, πέτραι πρὸς ἀπόστασιν μᾶλλον ἢ κατοικίαν εὐφυεῖς. Κύρις δὲ νῦν μὲν κωμίον ἐστίν, ἦν δὲ πόλις ἐπίσημος, ἐξ ἧς ὥρμηντο οἱ τῆς Ῥώμης βασιλεύσαντες Τίτος Τάτιος καὶ Νουμᾶς Πομπίλιος· ἐντεῦθεν δὲ καὶ Κυρίτας ὀνομάζουσιν οἱ δημηγοροῦντες τοὺς Ῥωμαίους. Τρήβουλά τε καὶ Ἠρητὸν καὶ ἄλλαι κατοικίαι τοιαῦται κῶμαι μᾶλλον ἢ πόλεις ἐξετάζοιντʼ ἄν. ἅπασα δʼ αὐτῶν ἡ γῆ διαφερόντως ἐλαιόφυτός ἐστι καὶ ἀμπελόφυτος, βάλανόν τε ἐκφέρει πολλήν· σπουδαία δὲ καὶ βοσκήμασι τοῖς τε ἄλλοις, καὶ δὴ τὸ τῶν ἡμιόνων γένος τῶν Ῥεατίνων διωνόμασται θαυμαστῶς. ὡς δʼ εἰπεῖν, ἅπασα ἡ Ἰταλία θρεμμάτων τε ἀρίστη τροφὸς καὶ καρπῶν ἐστιν, ἄλλα δʼ εἴδη κατὰ ἄλλα μέρη τῶν πρωτείων τυγχάνει. ἔστι δὲ καὶ παλαιότατον γένος οἱ Σαβῖνοι καὶ αὐτόχθονες· τούτων δʼ ἄποικοι Πικεντῖνοί τε καὶ Σαυνῖται, τούτων δὲ Λευκανοί, τούτων δὲ Βρέττιοι. τὴν δʼ ἀρχαιότητα τεκμήριον ἄν τις ποιήσαιτο ἀνδρείας καὶ τῆς ἄλλης ἀρετῆς ἀφʼ ἧς ἀντέσχον μέχρι πρὸς τὸν παρόντα χρόνον. φησὶ δʼ ὁ συγγραφεὺς Φάβιος Ῥωμαίους αἰσθέσθαι τοῦ πλούτου τότε πρῶτον, ὅτε τοῦ ἔθνους τούτου κατέστησαν κύριοι. ἔστρωται δὲ διʼ αὐτῶν ἡ Σαλαρία ὁδὸς οὐ πολλὴ οὖσα, εἰς ἣν καὶ ἡ Νωμεντανὴ συμπίπτει κατὰ Ἠρητὸν τῆς Σαβίνης κώμην ὑπὲρ τοῦ Τιβέρεως κειμένην, ἀπὸ τῆς αὐτῆς πύλης ἀρχομένη τῆς Κολλίνης.

[2] ̔εξῆς δʼ ἡ Λατίνη κεῖται, ἐν ᾗ καὶ ἡ τῶν Ῥωμαίων πόλις, πολλὰς συνειληφυῖα καὶ τῆς μὴ Λατίνης πρότερον. Αἶκοι γὰρ καὶ Ὀυόλσκοι καὶ Ἕρνικοι Ἀβοριγῖνές τε οἱ περὶ αὐτὴν τὴν Ῥώμην καὶ Ῥούτουλοι οἱ τὴν ἀρχαίαν Ἀρδέαν ἔχοντες καὶ ἄλλα συστήματα μείζω καὶ ἐλάττω τὰ περιοικοῦντα τοὺς τότε Ῥωμαίους ὑπῆρξαν, ἡνίκα πρῶτον ἔκτιστο ἡ πόλις· ὧν ἔνια κατὰ κώμας αὐτονομεῖσθαι συνέβαινεν ὑπʼ οὐδενὶ κοινῷ φύλῳ τεταγμένα. φασὶ δὲ Αἰνείαν μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς Ἀγχίσου καὶ τοῦ παιδὸς Ἀσκανίου κατάραντας εἰς Λαυρεντὸν τῆς πλησίον τῶν Ὠστίων καὶ τοῦ Τιβέρεως ᾐόνος, μικρὸν ὑπὲρ τῆς θαλάττης, ὅσον ἐν τέτταρσι καὶ εἴκοσι σταδίοις, κτίσαι πόλιν. ἐπελθόντα δὲ Λατῖνον τὸν τῶν Ἀβοριγίνων βασιλέα τῶν οἰκούντων τὸν τόπον τοῦτον, ὅπου νῦν ἡ Ῥώμη ἐστί, συμμάχοις χρήσασθαι τοῖς περὶ τὸν Αἰνείαν ἐπὶ τοὺς γειτονεύοντας Ῥουτούλους τοὺς Ἀρδέαν κατέχοντας (στάδιοι δʼ εἰσὶν ἀπὸ τῆς Ἀρδέας εἰς τὴν Ῥώμην ἑκατὸν ἑξήκοντα), νικήσαντα δʼ ἀπὸ τῆς θυγατρὸς Λαουινίας ἐπώνυμον κτίσαι πλησίον πόλιν. πάλιν δὲ τῶν Ῥουτούλων συμβαλόντων εἰς μάχην, τὸν μὲν Λατῖνον πεσεῖν, τὸν δὲ Αἰνείαν νικήσαντα βασιλεῦσαι καὶ Λατίνους καλέσαι τοὺς ὑφʼ αὑτῷ. καὶ τούτου δὲ τελευτήσαντος καὶ τοῦ πατρός, τὸν Ἀσκάνιον Ἄλβαν κτίσαι ἐν τῷ Ἀλβανῷ ὄρει, διέχοντι τῆς Ῥώμης τοσοῦτον ὅσον καὶ ἡ Ἀρδέα. ἐνταῦθα Ῥωμαῖοι σὺν τοῖς Λατίνοις Διὶ θύουσιν, ἅπασα ἡ συναρχία ἀθροισθεῖσα· τῇ πόλει δʼ ἐφιστᾶσιν ἄρχοντα πρὸς τὸν τῆς θυσίας χρόνον τῶν γνωρίμων τινὰ νέων. ὕστερον δὲ τετρακοσίοις ἔτεσιν ἱστορεῖται τὰ περὶ Ἀμόλλιον καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν Νουμίτορα, τὰ μὲν μυθώδη τὰ δʼ ἐγγυτέρω πίστεως. διεδέξαντο μὲν γὰρ τὴν τῆς Ἄλβας ἀρχὴν ἀμφότεροι παρὰ τῶν ἀπογόνων τοῦ Ἀσκανίου, διατείνουσαν μέχρι τοῦ Τιβέρεως· παραγκωνισάμενος δʼ ὁ νεώτερος τὸν πρεσβύτερον ἦρχεν ὁ Ἀμόλλιος, υἱοῦ δʼ ὄντος καὶ θυγατρὸς τῷ Νουμίτορι, τὸν μὲν ἐν κυνηγίᾳ δολοφονεῖ, τὴν δέ, ἵνα ἄτεκνος διαμείνῃ, τῆς Ἑστίας ἱέρειαν κατέστησε παρθενείας χάριν· καλοῦσι δʼ αὐτὴν Ῥέαν Σιλβίαν. εἶτα φθορὰν φωράσας, διδύμων αὐτῇ παίδων γενομένων, τὴν μὲν εἷρξεν ἀντὶ τοῦ κτείνειν χαριζόμενος τἀδελφῷ, τοὺς δʼ ἐξέθηκε πρὸς τὸν Τίβεριν κατά τι πάτριον. μυθεύεται μὲν οὖν ἐξ Ἄρεως γενέσθαι τοὺς παῖδας, ἐκτεθέντας δʼ ὑπὸ λυκαίνης ὁραθῆναι σκυλακευομένους. Φαυστύλον δέ τινα τῶν περὶ τὸν τόπον συφορβῶν ἀνελόμενον ἐκθρέψαι (δεῖ δʼ ὑπολαβεῖν τῶν δυνατῶν τινα, ὑπηκόων δὲ τῷ Ἀμολλίῳ, λαβόντα ἐκθρέψαι), καλέσαι δὲ τὸν μὲν Ῥωμύλον τὸν δὲ Ῥῶμον. ἀνδρωθέντας δʼ ἐπιθέσθαι τῷ Ἀμολλίῳ καὶ τοῖς παισί· καταλυθέντων δʼ ἐκείνων καὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς εἰς τὸν Νουμίτορα περιστάσης, ἀπελθόντας οἴκαδε κτίσαι τὴν Ῥώμην ἐν τόποις οὐ πρὸς αἵρεσιν μᾶλλον ἢ πρὸς ἀνάγκην ἐπιτηδείοις. οὔτε γὰρ ἐρυμνὸν τὸ ἔδαφος οὔτε χώραν οἰκείαν ἔχον τὴν πέριξ ὅση πόλει πρόσφορος, ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ἀνθρώπους τοὺς συνοικήσοντας· οἱ γὰρ ὄντες ᾤκουν καθʼ αὑτούς, συνάπτοντές πως τοῖς τείχεσι τῆς κτιζομένης πόλεως, οὐδὲ τοῖς Ἀλβανοῖς πάνυ προσέχοντες. Κολλατία δʼ ἦν καὶ Ἀντέμναι καὶ Φιδῆναι καὶ Λαβικὸν καὶ ἄλλα τοιαῦτα τότε μὲν πολίχνια, νῦν δὲ κῶμαι, κτήσεις ἰδιωτῶν, ἀπὸ τριάκοντα ἢ¹ μικρῷ πλειόνων τῆς Ῥώμης σταδίων. μεταξὺ γοῦν τοῦ πέμπτου καὶ τοῦ ἕκτου λίθου τῶν τὰ μίλια διασημαινόντων τῆς Ῥώμης καλεῖται τόπος Φῆστοι· τοῦτον δʼ ὅριον ἀποφαίνουσι τῆς τότε Ῥωμαίων γῆς, οἵ θʼ ἱερομνήμονες θυσίαν ἐπιτελοῦσιν ἐνταῦθά τε καὶ ἐν ἄλλοις τόποις πλείοσιν ὡς ὁρίσις αὐθημερόν, ἣν καλοῦσιν Ἀμβαρουίαν. γενομένης δʼ οὖν στάσεως φασὶ κατὰ τὴν κτίσιν ἀναιρεθῆναι τὸν Ῥῶμον. μετὰ δὲ τὴν κτίσιν ἀνθρώπους σύγκλυδας ὁ Ῥωμύλος ἤθροιζεν, ἀποδείξας ἄσυλόν τι τέμενος μεταξὺ τῆς ἄκρας καὶ τοῦ Καπετωλίου, τοὺς δʼ ἐκεῖ καταφεύγοντας τῶν ἀστυγειτόνων πολίτας ἀποφαίνων. ἐπιγαμίας δὲ τούτοις οὐ τυγχάνων ἐπηγγείλατο ἕνα ἀγῶνα ἱππικὸν τοῦ Ποσειδῶνος ἱερόν, τὸν καὶ νῦν ἐπιτελούμενον. συνελθόντων δὲ πολλῶν, πλείστων δὲ Σαβίνων, ἐκέλευσε τὰς παρθένους ἁρπάσαι τὰς ἀφιγμένας τοῖς δεομένοις γάμου· μετιὼν δὲ τὴν ὕβριν Τίτος Τάτιος διʼ ὅπλων ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Κυριτῶν ἐπὶ κοινωνίᾳ τῆς ἀρχῆς καὶ πολιτείας συνέβη πρὸς τὸν Ῥωμύλον· δολοφονηθέντος δʼ ἐν Λαουινίῳ τοῦ Τατίου, μόνος ἦρξεν ἑκόντων τῶν Κυριτῶν ὁ Ῥωμύλος. μετὰ δὲ τοῦτον διεδέξατο τὴν ἀρχὴν Νουμᾶς Πομπίλιος πολίτης τοῦ Τατίου, παρʼ ἑκόντων λαβὼν τῶν ὑπηκόων.

[3] αὕτη μὲν οὖν ἡ μάλιστα πιστευομένη τῆς Ῥώμης κτίσις ἐστίν. ἄλλη δέ τις προτέρα καὶ μυθώδης Ἀρκαδικὴν λέγουσα γενέσθαι τὴν ἀποικίαν ὑπʼ Εὐάνδρου. τούτῳ δʼ ἐπιξενωθῆναι τὸν Ἡρακλέα ἐλαύνοντα τὰς Γηρυόνου βοῦς· πυθόμενον δὲ τῆς μητρὸς Νικοστράτης τὸν Εὔανδρον (εἶναι δʼ αὐτὴν μαντικῆς ἔμπειρον), ὅτι τῷ Ἡρακλεῖ πεπρωμένον ἦν τελέσαντι τοὺς ἄθλους θεῷ γενέσθαι, φράσαι τε πρὸς τὸν Ἡρακλέα ταῦτα καὶ τέμενος ἀναδεῖξαι καὶ θῦσαι θυσίαν Ἑλληνικήν, ἣν καὶ νῦν ἔτι φυλάττεσθαι τῷ Ἡρακλεῖ. καὶ ὅ γε Κοίλιος, ὁ τῶν Ῥωμαίων συγγραφεύς, τοῦτο τίθεται σημεῖον τοῦ Ἑλληνικὸν εἶναι κτίσμα τὴν Ῥώμην, τὸ παρʼ αὐτῇ τὴν πάτριον θυσίαν Ἑλληνικὴν εἶναι τῷ Ἡρακλεῖ. καὶ τὴν μητέρα δὲ τοῦ Εὐάνδρου τιμῶσι Ῥωμαῖοι, μίαν τῶν νυμφῶν νομίσαντες, Καρμέντην μετονομασθεῖσαν.

[4] οἱ δʼ οὖν Λατῖνοι κατʼ ἀρχὰς μὲν ἦσαν ὀλίγοι, καὶ οἱ πλείους οὐ προσεῖχον Ῥωμαίοις· ὕστερον δὲ καταπλαγέντες τὴν ἀρετὴν τοῦ τε Ῥωμύλου καὶ τῶν μετʼ ἐκεῖνον βασιλέων ὑπήκοοι πάντες ὑπῆρξαν. καταλυθέντων δὲ τῶν τε Αἴκων καὶ τῶν Ὀυόλσκων καὶ Ἑρνίκων, ἔτι δὲ πρότερον Ῥουτούλων τε καὶ Ἀβοριγίνων², ἡ τούτων χώρα Λατίνη προσηγόρευται πᾶσα. ἦν δὲ τῶν Ὀυόλσκων τὸ Πωμεντῖνον πεδίον, ὅμορον τοῖς Λατίνοις, καὶ πόλις Ἀπίολα, ἣν κατέσκαψε Ταρκύνιος Πρίσκος. Αἶκοι δὲ γειτονεύοντες μάλιστα τοῖς Κυρίταις, καὶ τούτων δʼ ἐκεῖνος τὰς πόλεις ἐξεπόρθησεν· ὁ δὲ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ τὴν Σουέσσαν εἷλε τὴν μητρόπολιν τῶν Ὀυόλσκων. Ἕρνικοι δὲ πλησίον ᾤκουν τῷ τε Λανουίῳ καὶ τῇ Ἄλβᾳ καὶ αὐτῇ τῇ Ῥώμῃ· οὐκ ἄπωθεν δʼ οὐδʼ Ἀρικία καὶ Τελλῆναι καὶ Ἄντιον. Ἀλβανοὶ δὲ κατʼ ἀρχὰς μὲν ὡμονόουν τοῖς Ῥωμαίοις ὁμόγλωττοί τε ὄντες καὶ Λατῖνοι, βασιλευόμενοι δʼ ἑκάτεροι χωρὶς ἐτύγχανον· οὐδὲν δʼ ἧττον ἐπιγαμίαι τε ἦσαν πρὸς ἀλλήλους καὶ ἱερὰ κοινὰ τὰ ἐν Ἄλβᾳ καὶ ἄλλα δίκαια πολιτικά· ὕστερον δὲ πολέμου συστάντος ἡ μὲν Ἄλβα κατεσκάφη πλὴν τοῦ ἱεροῦ, οἱ δʼ Ἀλβανοὶ πολῖται Ῥωμαίων ἐκρίθησαν. καὶ τῶν ἄλλων δὲ τῶν περιοικίδων πόλεων αἱ μὲν ἀνῃρέθησαν αἱ δὲ ἐταπεινώθησαν ἀπειθοῦσαι, τινὲς δὲ καὶ ηὐξήθησαν διὰ τὴν εὔνοιαν. νυνὶ μὲν οὖν ἡ παραλία μέχρι πόλεως Σινοέσσης ἀπὸ τῶν Ὠστίων Λατίνη καλεῖται, πρότερον δὲ μέχρι τοῦ Κιρκαίου μόνον ἐσχήκει τὴν ἐπίδοσιν· καὶ τῆς μεσογαίας δὲ πρότερον μὲν οὐ πολλή, ὕστερον δὲ καὶ μέχρι Καμπανίας διέτεινε καὶ Σαυνιτῶν καὶ Πελίγνων καὶ ἄλλων τῶν τὸ Ἀπέννινον κατοικούντων.

[5] ̔́απασα δʼ ἐστὶν εὐδαίμων καὶ παμφόρος, πλὴν ὀλίγων χωρίων τῶν κατὰ τὴν παραλίαν ὅσα ἑλώδη καὶ νοσερά, οἷα τὰ τῶν Ἀρδεατῶν καὶ τὰ μεταξὺ Ἀντίου καὶ Λανουίου μέχρι Πωμεντίνου καί τινων τῆς Σητίνης χωρίων καὶ τῆς περὶ Ταρρακῖναν καὶ τὸ Κιρκαῖον ἢ εἴ τινα ὀρεινὰ καὶ πετρώδη· καὶ ταῦτα δʼ οὐ τελέως ἀργὰ οὐδʼ ἄχρηστα, ἀλλὰ νομὰς παρέχει δαψιλεῖς ἢ ὕλην ἢ καρπούς τινας ἑλείους ἢ πετραίους· τὸ δὲ Καίκουβον ἑλῶδες ὂν εὐοινοτάτην ἄμπελον τρέφει τὴν δενδρῖτιν. πόλεις δʼ ἐπὶ θαλάττῃ μὲν τῶν Λατίνων εἰσὶ τά τε Ὤστια, πόλις ἀλίμενος διὰ τὴν πρόσχωσιν ἣν ὁ Τίβερις παρασκευάζει πληρούμενος ἐκ πολλῶν ποταμῶν· παρακινδύνως μὲν οὖν ὁρμίζονται μετέωρα ἐν τῷ σάλῳ τὰ ναυκλήρια, τὸ μέντοι λυσιτελὲς νικᾷ· καὶ γὰρ ἡ τῶν ὑπηρετικῶν σκαφῶν εὐπορία τῶν ἐκδεχομένων τὰ φορτία καὶ ἀντιφορτιζόντων ταχὺν ποιεῖ τὸν ἀπόπλουν πρὶν ἢ τοῦ ποταμοῦ ἅψασθαι, καὶ μέρους ἀποκουφισθέντος εἰσπλεῖ καὶ ἀνάγεται μέχρι τῆς Ῥώμης, σταδίους ἑκατὸν ἐνενήκοντα. κτίσμα δʼ ἐστὶ τὰ Ὤστια Ἄγκου Μαρκίου. αὕτη μὲν ἡ πόλις τοιαύτη. ἑξῆς δʼ ἐστὶν Ἄντιον, ἀλίμενος καὶ αὐτὴ πόλις· ἵδρυται δʼ ἐπὶ πέτραις, διέχει δὲ τῶν Ὠστίων περὶ διακοσίους ἑξήκοντα σταδίους. νυνὶ μὲν οὖν ἀνεῖται τοῖς ἡγεμόσιν εἰς σχολὴν καὶ ἄνεσιν τῶν πολιτικῶν, ὅτε λάβοιεν καιρόν, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο κατῳκοδόμηνται πολυτελεῖς οἰκήσεις ἐν τῇ πόλει συχναὶ πρὸς τὰς τοιαύτας ἐπιδημίας. καὶ πρότερον δὲ ναῦς ἐκέκτηντο καὶ ἐκοινώνουν τῶν λῃστηρίων τοῖς Τυρρηνοῖς, καίπερ ἤδη Ῥωμαίοις ὑπακούοντες. διόπερ καὶ Ἀλέξανδρος πρότερον ἐγκαλῶν ἐπέστειλε, καὶ Δημήτριος ὕστερον, τοὺς ἁλόντας τῶν λῃστῶν ἀναπέμπων τοῖς Ῥωμαίοις, χαρίζεσθαι μὲν αὐτοῖς ἔφη τὰ σώματα διὰ τὴν πρὸς τοὺς Ἕλληνας συγγένειαν, οὐκ ἀξιοῦν δὲ τοὺς αὐτοὺς ἄνδρας στρατηγεῖν τε ἅμα τῆς Ἰταλίας καὶ λῃστήρια ἐκπέμπειν, καὶ ἐν μὲν τῇ ἀγορᾷ Διοσκούρων ἱερὸν ἱδρυσαμένους τιμᾶν οὓς πάντες σωτῆρας ὀνομάζουσιν, εἰς δὲ τὴν Ἑλλάδα πέμπειν τὴν ἐκείνων πατρίδα τοὺς λεηλατήσοντας. ἔπαυσαν δʼ αὐτοὺς Ῥωμαῖοι τῆς τοιαύτης ἐπιτηδεύσεως. ἀνὰ μέσον δὲ τούτων τῶν πόλεων ἐστὶ τὸ Λαουίνιον, ἔχον κοινὸν τῶν Λατίνων ἱερὸν Ἀφροδίτης· ἐπιμελοῦνται δʼ αὐτοῦ διὰ προπόλων Ἀρδεᾶται· εἶτα Λαυρεντόν. ὑπέρκειται δὲ τούτων ἡ Ἀρδέα κατοικία Ῥουτούλων ἐν ἑβδομήκοντα σταδίοις ἀπὸ τῆς θαλάττης. ἔστι δὲ καὶ ταύτης πλησίον Ἀφροδίσιον, ὅπου πανηγυρίζουσι Λατῖνοι. Σαυνῖται δʼ ἐπόρθησαν τοὺς τόπους καὶ λείπεται μὲν ἴχνη πόλεων, ἔνδοξα δὲ διὰ τὴν Αἰνείου γέγονεν ἐπιδημίαν καὶ τὰς ἱεροποιίας, ἃς ἐξ ἐκείνων τῶν χρόνων παραδεδόσθαι φασί.

[6] μετὰ δὲ Ἄντιον τὸ Κιρκαῖον ἐστὶν ἐν διακοσίοις καὶ ἐνενήκοντα σταδίοις ὄρος νησίζον θαλάττῃ τε καὶ ἕλεσι· φασὶ δὲ καὶ πολύρριζον εἶναι, τάχα τῷ μύθῳ τῷ περὶ τῆς Κίρκης συνοικειοῦντες. ἔχει δὲ πολίχνιον καὶ Κίρκης ἱερὸν καὶ Ἀθηνᾶς βωμόν, δείκνυσθαι δὲ καὶ φιάλην τινά φασιν Ὀδυσσέως. μεταξὺ δὲ ὅ τε Στόρας ποταμὸς καὶ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ ὕφορμος. ἔπειτα προσεχὴς αἰγιαλὸς λιβί, πρὸς αὐτῷ μόνον τῷ Κιρκαίῳ λιμένιον ἔχων. ὑπέρκειται δʼ ἐν τῇ μεσογαίᾳ τὸ Πωμεντῖνον πεδίον· τὴν δὲ συνεχῆ ταύτῃ πρότερον Αὔσονες ᾤκουν, οἵπερ καὶ τὴν Καμπανίαν εἶχον, μετὰ δὲ τούτους Ὄσκοι· καὶ τούτοις δὲ μετῆν τῆς Καμπανίας, νῦν δʼ ἅπαντα Λατίνων ἐστὶ μέχρι Σινοέσσης, ὡς εἶπον. ἴδιον δέ τι τοῖς Ὄσκοις καὶ τῷ τῶν Αὐσόνων ἔθνει συμβέβηκε· τῶν μὲν γὰρ Ὄσκων ἐκλελοιπότων ἡ διάλεκτος μένει παρὰ τοῖς Ῥωμαίοις, ὥστε καὶ ποιήματα σκηνοβατεῖσθαι κατά τινα ἀγῶνα πάτριον καὶ μιμολογεῖσθαι· τῶν δʼ Αὐσόνων οὐδʼ ἅπαξ οἰκησάντων ἐπὶ τῇ Σικελικῇ θαλάττῃ, τὸ πέλαγος ὅμως Αὐσόνιον καλεῖται. ἑξῆς δʼ ἐν ἑκατὸν σταδίοις τῷ Κιρκαίῳ Ταρρακῖνα ἐστί, Τραχίνη καλουμένη πρότερον ἀπὸ τοῦ συμβεβηκότος. πρόκειται δὲ αὐτῆς μέγα ἕλος ὃ ποιοῦσι δύο ποταμοί· καλεῖται δʼ ὁ μείζων Οὔφης. ἐνταῦθα δὲ συνάπτει τῇ θαλάττῃ πρῶτον ἡ Ἀππία ὁδός, ἐστρωμένη μὲν ἀπὸ τῆς Ῥώμης μέχρι Βρεντεσίου, πλεῖστον δʼ ὁδευομένη, τῶν δʼ ἐπὶ θαλάττῃ πόλεων τούτων ἐφαπτομένη μόνον, τῆς τε Ταρρακίνης καὶ τῶν ἐφεξῆς Φορμιῶν τε καὶ Μιντούρνης καὶ Σινοέσσης, καὶ τῶν ἐσχάτων Τάραντός τε καὶ Βρεντεσίου. πλησίον δὲ τῆς Ταρρακίνης βαδίζοντι ἐπὶ τῆς Ῥώμης παραβέβληται τῇ ὁδῷ τῇ Ἀππίᾳ διῶρυξ ἐπὶ πολλοὺς τόπους πληρουμένη τοῖς ἑλείοις τε καὶ τοῖς ποταμίοις ὕδασι· πλεῖται δὲ μάλιστα μὲν νύκτωρ, ὥστʼ ἐμβάντας ἀφʼ ἑσπέρας ἐκβαίνειν πρωίας καὶ βαδίζειν τὸ λοιπὸν τῇ ὁδῷ, ἀλλὰ καὶ μεθʼ ἡμέραν· ῥυμουλκεῖ δʼ ἡμιόνιον. ἑξῆς δὲ Φορμίαι Λακωνικὸν κτίσμα ἐστίν, Ὁρμίαι λεγόμενον πρότερον διὰ τὸ εὔορμον. καὶ τὸν μεταξὺ δὲ κόλπον ἐκεῖνοι Καιάταν ὠνόμασαν· τὰ γὰρ κοῖλα πάντα καιέτας οἱ Λάκωνες προσαγορεύουσιν· ἔνιοι δʼ ἐπώνυμον τῆς Αἰνείου τροφοῦ τὸν κόλπον φασίν. ἔχει δὲ μῆκος σταδίων ἑκατὸν ἀρξάμενος ἀπὸ Ταρρακίνης μέχρι τῆς ἄκρας τῆς ὁμωνύμου· ἀνέωγέ τʼ ἐνταῦθα σπήλαια ὑπερμεγέθη, κατοικίας μεγάλας καὶ πολυτελεῖς δεδεγμένα· ἐντεῦθεν δʼ ἐπὶ τὰς Φορμίας τετταράκοντα. ταύτης δʼ ἀνὰ μέσον εἰσὶ καὶ Σινοέσσης αἱ Μιντοῦρναι, σταδίους ἑκατέρας διέχουσαι περὶ ὀγδοήκοντα. διαρρεῖ δὲ Λεῖρις ποταμός, Κλάνις δʼ ἐκαλεῖτο πρότερον· φέρεται δʼ ἄνωθεν ἐκ τῶν Ἀπεννίνων ὀρῶν καὶ τῆς * Ὀυηστίνης παρὰ Φρεγέλλας κώμην (πρότερον δʼ ἦν πόλις ἔνδοξος), ἐκπίπτει δʼ εἰς ἄλσος ἱερὸν τιμώμενον περιττῶς ὑπὸ τῶν ἐν Μιντούρναις ὑποκείμενον τῇ πόλει. τῶν δὲ σπηλαίων ἐν ὄψει μάλιστα πρόκεινται δύο νῆσοι πελάγιαι, Πανδατερία τε καὶ Ποντία, μικραὶ μὲν οἰκούμεναι δὲ καλῶς, οὐ πολὺ ἀπʼ ἀλλήλων διέχουσαι, τῆς ἠπείρου δὲ πεντήκοντα ἐπὶ τοῖς διακοσίοις. ἔχεται δὲ τοῦ Καιάτου κόλπου τὸ Καίκουβον, τούτου δὲ Φοῦνδοι, πόλις ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ τῇ Ἀππίᾳ κειμένη. πάντες δʼ εἰσὶν οἱ τόποι οὗτοι σφόδρα εὔοινοι· ὁ δὲ Καίκουβος καὶ ὁ Φουνδανὸς καὶ ὁ Σητῖνος τῶν διωνομασμένων εἰσί, καθάπερ ὁ Φάλερνος καὶ ὁ Ἀλβανὸς καὶ ὁ Στατανός. ἡ δὲ Σινόεσσα ἐν³ κόλπῳ ἵδρυται, ἀφʼ οὗ καὶ τοὔνομα· σίνος γὰρ ὁ κόλπος· πλησίον ἐστὶ δʼ αὐτῆς θερμὰ λουτρὰ κάλλιστα, ποιοῦντα πρὸς νόσους ἐνίας. αὗται μὲν αἱ ἐπὶ θαλάττῃ τῶν Λατίνων πόλεις.

[7] Ἐν δὲ τῇ μεσογαίᾳ πρώτη μὲν ὑπὲρ τῶν Ὠστίων ἐστὶν ἡ Ῥώμη, καὶ μόνη γε ἐπὶ τῷ Τιβέρει κεῖται· περὶ ἧς ὅτι πρὸς ἀνάγκην οὐ πρὸς αἵρεσιν ἔκτισται εἴρηται· προσθετέον δʼ ὅτι οὐδʼ οἱ μετὰ ταῦτα προσκτίσαντές τινα μέρη κύριοι τοῦ βελτίονος ἦσαν, ἀλλʼ ἐδούλευον τοῖς προϋποκειμένοις. οἱ μέν γε πρῶτοι τὸ Καπιτώλιον καὶ τὸ Παλάτιον καὶ τὸν Κυρῖνον λόφον ἐτείχισαν, ὃς ἦν οὕτως εὐεπίβατος τοῖς ἔξωθεν ὥστʼ ἐξ ἐφόδου Τίτος Τάτιος εἷλεν ἐπελθών, ἡνίκα μετῄει τὴν τῶν ἁρπαγεισῶν παρθένων ὕβριν· Ἄγκος δὲ Μάρκιος προσλαβὼν τὸ Καίλιον ὄρος καὶ τὸ Ἀβεντῖνον ὄρος καὶ τὸ μεταξὺ τούτων πεδίον, διηρτημένα καὶ ἀπʼ ἀλλήλων καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν προτετειχισμένων, προσέθηκεν ἀναγκαίως· οὔτε γὰρ οὕτως ἐρυμνοὺς λόφους ἔξω τείχους ἐᾶσαι τοῖς βουλομένοις ἐπιτειχίσματα καλῶς εἶχεν, οὔθʼ ὅλον ἐκπληρῶσαι τὸν κύκλον ἴσχυσε τὸν μέχρι τοῦ Κυρίνου. ἤλεγξε δὲ Σέρουιος τὴν ἔκλειψιν· ἀνεπλήρωσε γὰρ προσθεὶς τόν τε Ἠσκυλῖνον λόφον καὶ τὸν Ὀυιμίναλιν. καὶ ταῦτα δʼ εὐέφοδα τοῖς ἔξωθέν ἐστι· διόπερ τάφρον βαθεῖαν ὀρύξαντες εἰς τὸ ἐντὸς ἐδέξαντο τὴν γῆν, καὶ ἐξέτειναν ὅσον ἑξαστάδιον χῶμα ἐπὶ τῇ ἐντὸς ὀφρύι τῆς τάφρου, καὶ ἐπέβαλον τεῖχος καὶ πύργους ἀπὸ τῆς Κολλίνας πύλης μέχρι τῆς Ἠσκυλίνας. ὑπὸ μέσῳ δὲ τῷ χώματι τρίτη ἐστὶ πύλη ὁμώνυμος τῷ Ὀυιμινάλι λόφῳ. τὸ μὲν οὖν ἔρυμα τοιοῦτόν ἐστι τὸ τῆς πόλεως, ἐρυμάτων ἑτέρων δεόμενον. καί μοι δοκοῦσιν οἱ πρῶτοι τὸν αὐτὸν λαβεῖν διαλογισμὸν περί τε σφῶν αὐτῶν καὶ περὶ τῶν ὕστερον, διότι Ῥωμαίοις προσῆκεν οὐκ ἀπὸ τῶν ἐρυμάτων ἀλλὰ ἀπὸ τῶν ὅπλων καὶ τῆς οἰκείας ἀρετῆς ἔχειν τὴν ἀσφάλειαν καὶ τὴν ἄλλην εὐπορίαν, προβλήματα νομίζοντες οὐ τὰ τείχη τοῖς ἀνδράσιν ἀλλὰ τοὺς ἄνδρας τοῖς τείχεσι. κατʼ ἀρχὰς μὲν οὖν ἀλλοτρίας τῆς κύκλῳ χώρας οὔσης ἀγαθῆς τε καὶ πολλῆς, τοῦ δὲ τῆς πόλεως ἐδάφους εὐεπιχειρήτου, τὸ μακαρισθησόμενον οὐδὲν ἦν τοπικὸν εὐκλήρημα· τῇ δʼ ἀρετῇ καὶ τῷ πόνῳ τῆς χώρας οἰκείας γενομένης, ἐφάνη συνδρομή τις ἀγαθῶν ἅπασαν εὐφυΐαν ὑπερβάλλουσα, διʼ ἣν ἐπὶ τοσοῦτον αὐξηθεῖσα ἡ πόλις ἀντέχει τοῦτο μὲν τροφῇ τοῦτο δὲ ξύλοις καὶ λίθοις πρὸς τὰς οἰκοδομίας, ἃς ἀδιαλείπτους ποιοῦσιν αἱ συμπτώσεις καὶ ἐμπρήσεις καὶ μεταπράσεις, ἀδιάλειπτοι καὶ αὗται οὖσαι· καὶ γὰρ αἱ μεταπράσεις ἑκούσιοί τινες συμπτώσεις εἰσί, καταβαλλόντων καὶ ἀνοικοδομούντων πρὸς τὰς ἐπιθυμίας ἕτερα ἐξ ἑτέρων. πρὸς ταῦτʼ οὖν τό τε τῶν μετάλλων πλῆθος καὶ ἡ ὕλη καὶ οἱ κατακομίζοντες ποταμοὶ θαυμαστὴν παρέχουσι τὴν ὑποχορηγίαν, πρῶτος μὲν Ἀνίων ἐξ Ἄλβας ῥέων τῆς πρὸς Μαρσοῖς Λατίνης πόλεως διὰ τοῦ ὑπʼ αὐτῇ πεδίου μέχρι τῆς πρὸς τὸν Τίβεριν συμβολῆς, ἔπειθʼ ὁ Νὰρ καὶ ὁ Τενέας οἱ διὰ τῆς Ὀμβρικῆς εἰς τὸν αὐτὸν καταφερόμενοι ποταμὸν τὸν Τίβεριν, διὰ δὲ Τυρρηνίας καὶ τῆς Κλουσίνης ὁ Κλάνις. ἐπεμελήθη μὲν οὖν ὁ Σεβαστὸς Καῖσαρ τῶν τοιούτων ἐλαττωμάτων τῆς πόλεως, πρὸς μὲν τὰς ἐμπρήσεις συντάξας στρατιωτικὸν ἐκ τῶν ἀπελευθεριωτῶν τὸ βοηθῆσον, πρὸς δὲ τὰς συμπτώσεις τὰ ὕψη τῶν καινῶν οἰκοδομημάτων καθελών, καὶ κωλύσας ἐξαίρειν ποδῶν ἑβδομήκοντα τὸ πρὸς ταῖς ὁδοῖς ταῖς δημοσίαις. ἀλλʼ ὅμως ἐπέλειπεν ἂν ἡ ἐπανόρθωσις, εἰ μὴ τὰ μέταλλα καὶ ἡ ὕλη καὶ τὸ τῆς πορθμείας εὐμεταχείριστον ἀντεῖχε.

[8] ταῦτα μὲν οὖν ἡ φύσις τῆς χώρας παρέχεται τὰ εὐτυχήματα τῇ πόλει, προσέθεσαν δὲ Ῥωμαῖοι καὶ τὰ ἐκ τῆς προνοίας. τῶν γὰρ Ἑλλήνων περὶ τὰς κτίσεις εὐστοχῆσαι μάλιστα δοξάντων, ὅτι κάλλους ἐστοχάζοντο καὶ ἐρυμνότητος καὶ λιμένων καὶ χώρας εὐφυοῦς, οὗτοι προὐνόησαν μάλιστα ὧν ὠλιγώρησαν ἐκεῖνοι, στρώσεως ὁδῶν καὶ ὑδάτων εἰσαγωγῆς καὶ ὑπονόμων τῶν δυναμένων ἐκκλύζειν τὰ λύματα τῆς πόλεως εἰς τὸν Τίβεριν. ἔστρωσαν δὲ καὶ τὰς κατὰ τὴν χώραν ὁδούς, προσθέντες ἐκκοπάς τε λόφων καὶ ἐγχώσεις κοιλάδων, ὥστε τὰς ἁρμαμάξας δέχεσθαι πορθμείων φορτία· οἱ δʼ ὑπόνομοι συννόμῳ λίθῳ κατακαμφθέντες ὁδοὺς ἁμάξαις χόρτου πορευτὰς ἐνίας ἀπολελοίπασι. τοσοῦτον δʼ ἐστὶ τὸ εἰσαγώγιμον ὕδωρ διὰ τῶν ὑδραγωγίων, ὥστε ποταμοὺς διὰ τῆς πόλεως καὶ τῶν ὑπονόμων ῥεῖν, ἅπασαν δὲ οἰκίαν σχεδὸν δεξαμενὰς καὶ σίφωνας καὶ κρουνοὺς ἔχειν ἀφθόνους, ὧν πλείστην ἐπιμέλειαν ἐποιήσατο Μάρκος Ἀγρίππας, πολλοῖς καὶ ἄλλοις ἀναθήμασι κοσμήσας τὴν πόλιν. ὡς δʼ εἰπεῖν, οἱ παλαιοὶ μὲν τοῦ κάλλους τῆς Ῥώμης ὠλιγώρουν, πρὸς ἄλλοις μείζοσι καὶ ἀναγκαιοτέροις ὄντες· οἱ δʼ ὕστερον καὶ μάλιστα οἱ νῦν καὶ καθʼ ἡμᾶς οὐδὲ τούτου καθυστέρησαν, ἀλλʼ ἀναθημάτων πολλῶν καὶ καλῶν ἐπλήρωσαν τὴν πόλιν. καὶ γὰρ Πομπήιος καὶ ὁ θεὸς Καῖσαρ καὶ ὁ Σεβαστὸς καὶ οἱ τούτου παῖδες καὶ οἱ φίλοι καὶ γυνὴ καὶ ἀδελφὴ πᾶσαν ὑπερεβάλοντο σπουδὴν καὶ δαπάνην εἰς τὰς κατασκευάς· τούτων δὲ τὰ πλεῖστα ὁ Μάρτιος ἔχει κάμπος πρὸς τῇ φύσει προσλαβὼν καὶ τὸν ἐκ τῆς προνοίας κόσμον. καὶ γὰρ τὸ μέγεθος τοῦ πεδίου θαυμαστὸν ἅμα καὶ τὰς ἁρματοδρομίας καὶ τὴν ἄλλην ἱππασίαν ἀκώλυτον παρέχον τῷ τοσούτῳ πλήθει τῶν σφαίρᾳ καὶ κρίκῳ καὶ παλαίστρᾳ γυμναζομένων· καὶ τὰ περικείμενα ἔργα καὶ τὸ ἔδαφος ποάζον διʼ ἔτους καὶ τῶν λόφων στεφάναι τῶν ὑπὲρ τοῦ ποταμοῦ μέχρι τοῦ ῥείθρου σκηνογραφικὴν ὄψιν ἐπιδεικνύμεναι δυσαπάλλακτον παρέχουσι τὴν θέαν. πλησίον δʼ ἐστὶ τοῦ πεδίου τούτου καὶ ἄλλο πεδίον καὶ στοαὶ κύκλῳ παμπληθεῖς καὶ ἄλση καὶ θέατρα τρία καὶ ἀμφιθέατρον καὶ ναοὶ πολυτελεῖς καὶ συνεχεῖς ἀλλήλοις, ὡς πάρεργον ἂν δόξαιεν ἀποφαίνειν τὴν ἄλλην πόλιν. διόπερ ἱεροπρεπέστατον νομίσαντες τοῦτον τὸν τόπον καὶ τὰ τῶν ἐπιφανεστάτων μνήματα ἐνταῦθα κατεσκεύασαν ἀνδρῶν καὶ γυναικῶν. ἀξιολογώτατον δὲ τὸ Μαυσώλειον καλούμενον, ἐπὶ κρηπῖδος ὑψηλῆς λευκολίθου πρὸς τῷ ποταμῷ χῶμα μέγα, ἄχρι κορυφῆς τοῖς ἀειθαλέσι τῶν δένδρων συνηρεφές· ἐπʼ ἄκρῳ μὲν οὖν εἰκών ἐστι χαλκῆ τοῦ Σεβαστοῦ Καίσαρος, ὑπὸ δὲ τῷ χώματι θῆκαί εἰσιν αὐτοῦ καὶ τῶν συγγενῶν καὶ οἰκείων, ὄπισθεν δὲ μέγα ἄλσος περιπάτους θαυμαστοὺς ἔχον· ἐν μέσῳ δὲ τῷ πεδίῳ ὁ τῆς καύστρας αὐτοῦ περίβολος καὶ οὗτος λίθου λευκοῦ, κύκλῳ μὲν περικείμενον ἔχων σιδηροῦν περίφραγμα, ἐντὸς δʼ αἰγείροις κατάφυτος. πάλιν δʼ εἴ τις εἰς τὴν ἀγορὰν παρελθὼν τὴν ἀρχαίαν ἄλλην ἐξ ἄλλης ἴδοι παραβεβλημένην ταύτῃ καὶ βασιλικὰς στοὰς καὶ ναούς, ἴδοι δὲ καὶ τὸ Καπιτώλιον καὶ τὰ ἐνταῦθα ἔργα καὶ τὰ ἐν τῷ Παλατίῳ καὶ τῷ τῆς Λιβίας περιπάτῳ, ῥᾳδίως ἐκλάθοιτʼ ἂν τῶν ἔξωθεν. τοιαύτη μὲν ἡ Ῥώμη.

[9] τῶν δʼ ἄλλων τῆς Λατίνης πόλεων τὰς μὲν ἑτέροις γνωρίσμασι τὰς δὲ ὁδοῖς ἀφορίσαιτʼ ἄν τις ταῖς γνωριμωτάταις, ὅσαι διὰ τῆς Λατίνης ἔστρωνται· ἢ γὰρ ἐπὶ ταύταις ἢ παρὰ ταύταις ἢ μεταξὺ ἵδρυνται. γνωριμώταται δὲ τῶν ὁδῶν ἥ τε Ἀππία καὶ ἡ Λατίνη καὶ ἡ Ὀυαλερία, ἡ μὲν τὰ πρὸς θάλατταν ἀφορίζουσα μέρη τῆς Λατίνης μέχρι Σινοέσσης, ἡ δὲ τὰ πρὸς τῇ Σαβίνῃ μέχρι Μαρσῶν, μέση δʼ αὐτῶν ἡ Λατίνη ἡ συμπίπτουσα τῇ Ἀππίᾳ κατὰ Κασιλῖνον, πόλιν διέχουσαν Καπύης ἐννεακαίδεκα σταδίους. ἄρχεται δὲ ἀπὸ τῆς Ἀππίας, ἐν ἀριστερᾷ ἀπʼ αὐτῆς ἐκτρεπομένη πλησίον Ῥώμης, εἶτα διὰ τοῦ Τουσκλανοῦ ὄρους ὑπερβᾶσα μεταξὺ Τούσκλου πόλεως καὶ τοῦ Ἀλβανοῦ ὄρους κάτεισιν ἐπὶ Ἄλγιδον πολίχνιον καὶ Πικτὰς πανδοχεῖα. εἶτα συμπίπτει καὶ ἡ Λαβικανή, ἀρχομένη μὲν ἀπὸ τῆς Ἠσκυλίνης πύλης ἀφʼ ἧς καὶ ἡ Πραινεστίνη, ἐν ἀριστερᾷ δʼ ἀφεῖσα καὶ ταύτην καὶ τὸ πεδίον τὸ Ἠσκυλῖνον πρόεισιν ἐπὶ πλείους τῶν ἑκατὸν καὶ εἴκοσι σταδίων, καὶ πλησιάσασα τῷ Λαβικῷ παλαιῷ κτίσματι κατεσπασμένῳ, κειμένῳ δʼ ἐφʼ ὕψους, τοῦτο μὲν καὶ τὸ Τούσκουλον ἐν δεξιοῖς ἀπολείπει, τελευτᾷ δὲ πρὸς τὰς Πικτὰς καὶ τὴν Λατίνην· διέχει δὲ τῆς Ῥώμης τὸ χωρίον τοῦτο διακοσίους καὶ δέκα σταδίους. εἶθʼ ἑξῆς μὲν ἐπʼ αὐτῆς τῆς Λατίνης εἰσὶν ἐπίσημοι κατοικίαι καὶ πόλεις Φερεντῖνον, Φρουσινών, παρʼ ἣν ὁ Κόσας ῥεῖ ποταμός, Φαβρατερία, παρʼ ἣν ὁ Τρῆρος ῥεῖ, Ἀκουῖνον μεγάλη πόλις, παρʼ ἣν ὁ Μέλπις ῥεῖ ποταμὸς μέγας, Ἰντεράμνιον ἐν συμβολῇ δυεῖν ποταμῶν κείμενον Λείριός τε καὶ ἑτέρου, Κασῖνον καὶ αὕτη πόλις ἀξιόλογος, ὑστάτη τῶν Λατίνων· τὸ γὰρ Τέανον τὸ καλούμενον Σιδικῖνον ἐφεξῆς κείμενον ἐκ τοῦ ἐπιθέτου δηλοῦται διότι τῶν Σιδικίνων ἐστίν. οὗτοι δὲ Ὄσκοι, Καμπανῶν ἔθνος ἐκλελοιπός, ὥστε λέγοιτʼ ἂν τῆς Καμπανίας καὶ αὕτη, μεγίστη οὖσα τῶν ἐπὶ τῇ Λατίνῃ πόλεων. καὶ ἡ ἐφεξῆς ἡ τῶν Καληνῶν καὶ αὕτη ἀξιόλογος, συνάπτουσα τῷ Κασιλίνῳ.

[10] Ἐφʼ ἑκάτερα δὲ τῆς Λατίνης ἐν δεξιᾷ μέν εἰσιν αἱ μεταξὺ αὐτῆς καὶ τῆς Ἀππίας Σητία τε καὶ Σιγνία, φέρουσαι οἶνον ἡ μὲν τῶν πολυτελῶν ἕνα ἡ δὲ τὸν σταλτικώτατον κοιλίας τὸν Σιγνῖνον λεγόμενον. πρὸς δὲ ταύταις ἐστὶ Πρίβερνον καὶ Κόρα καὶ Σύεσσα * Τραπόντιόν τε καὶ Ὀυελίτραι καὶ Ἀλέτριον· ἔτι δὲ Φρεγέλλαι, παρʼ ἣν ὁ Λεῖρις ῥεῖ ὁ εἰς τὰς Μιντούρνας ἐκδιδούς, νῦν μὲν κώμη, πόλις δέ ποτε γεγονυῖα ἀξιόλογος καὶ τὰς πολλὰς τῶν ἄρτι λεχθεισῶν περιοικίδας πρότερον ἐσχηκυῖα, αἳ νῦν εἰς αὐτὴν συνέρχονται ἀγοράς τε ποιούμεναι καὶ ἱεροποιίας τινάς· κατεσκάφη δʼ ὑπὸ Ῥωμαίων ἀποστᾶσα. πλεῖσται δʼ εἰσὶ καὶ τούτων καὶ τῶν ἐν τῇ Λατίνῃ καὶ τῶν ἐπέκεινα ἐν τῇ Ἑρνίκων τε καὶ Αἴκων καὶ Ὀυόλσκων ἱδρυμέναι, Ῥωμαίων δʼ εἰσὶ κτίσματα. ἐν ἀριστερᾷ δὲ τῆς Λατίνης αἱ μεταξὺ αὐτῆς καὶ τῆς Ὀυαλερίας, Γάβιοι μὲν ἐν τῇ Πραινεστίνῃ ὁ δῷ κειμένη, λατόμιον ἔχουσα ὑπουργὸν τῇ Ῥώμῃ μάλιστα τῶν ἄλλων, διέχουσα τὸ ἴσον τῆς Ῥώμης τε καὶ Πραινεστοῦ, περὶ ἑκατὸν σταδίους· εἶθʼ ἡ Πραινεστός, περὶ ἧς αὐτίκα ἐροῦμεν· εἶθʼ αἱ ἐν τοῖς ὄρεσι τοῖς ὑπὲρ Πραινεστόν, ἥ τε τῶν Ἑρνίκων πολίχνη Καπίτουλον καὶ Ἀναγνία πόλις ἀξιόλογος, καὶ Κερεᾶτε καὶ Σῶρα, παρʼ ἣν ὁ Λεῖρις παρεξιὼν εἰς Φρεγέλλας ῥεῖ καὶ Μιντούρνας. ἔπειτα ἄλλα τινὰ καὶ Ὀυέναφρον, ὅθεν τὸ κάλλιστον ἔλαιον· ἡ μὲν οὖν πόλις ἐφʼ ὕψους κεῖται, παραρρεῖ δὲ τὴν τοῦ λόφου ῥίζαν ὁ Ὀυουλτοῦρνος, ὃς καὶ παρὰ τὸ Κασιλῖνον ἐνεχθεὶς ἐκδίδωσι κατὰ τὴν ὁμώνυμον αὐτῷ πόλιν. Αἰσερνία δὲ καὶ Ἀλλιφαὶ ἤδη Σαυνιτικαὶ πόλεις εἰσίν, ἡ μὲν ἀνῃρημένη κατὰ τὸν Μαρσικὸν πόλεμον ἡ δʼ ἔτι συμμένουσα.

[11] ̔η Ὀυαλερία δʼ ἄρχεται μὲν ἀπὸ Τιβούρων, ἄγει δʼ ἐπὶ Μαρσοὺς καὶ Κορφίνιον τὴν τῶν Πελίγνων μητρόπολιν. εἰσὶ δʼ ἐν αὐτῇ Λατῖναι πόλεις Ὀυαρία τε καὶ Καρσέολοι καὶ Ἄλβα, πλησίον δὲ καὶ πόλις Κούκουλον. ἐν ὄψει δʼ εἰσὶ τοῖς ἐν Ῥώμῃ Τίβουρά τε καὶ Πραινεστὸς καὶ Τοῦσκλον. Τίβουρα μέν, ἐν ᾗ τὸ Ἡράκλειον καὶ ὁ καταράκτης, ὃν ποιεῖ πλωτὸς ὢν ὁ Ἀνίων ἀφʼ ὕψους μεγάλου καταπίπτων εἰς φάραγγα βαθεῖαν καὶ καταλσῆ πρὸς αὐτῇ τῇ πόλει. ἐντεῦθεν δὲ διέξεισι πεδίον εὐκαρπότατον παρὰ τὰ μέταλλα τοῦ λίθου τοῦ Τιβουρτίνου καὶ τοῦ ἐν Γαβίοις τοῦ καὶ ἐρυθροῦ λεγομένου, ὥστε τὴν ἐκ τῶν μετάλλων ἐξαγωγὴν καὶ τὴν πορθμείαν εὐμαρῆ τελέως εἶναι, τῶν πλείστων ἔργων τῆς Ῥώμης ἐντεῦθεν κατασκευαζομένων. ἐν δὲ τῷ πεδίῳ τούτῳ καὶ τὰ Ἄλβουλα καλούμενα ῥεῖ ὕδατα ψυχρὰ ἐκ πολλῶν πηγῶν, πρὸς ποικίλας νόσους καὶ πίνουσι καὶ ἐγκαθημένοις ὑγιεινά· τοιαῦτα δὲ καὶ τὰ Λαβανά, οὐκ ἄπωθεν τούτων ἐν τῇ Νωμεντανῇ καὶ τοῖς περὶ Ἠρητὸν τόποις. Πραινεστὸς δʼ ἐστὶν ὅπου τὸ τῆς Τύχης ἱερὸν ἐπίσημον χρηστηριάζον. ἀμφότεραι δʼ αἱ πόλεις αὗται τῇ αὐτῇ προσιδρυμέναι τυγχάνουσιν ὀρεινῇ, διέχουσι δʼ ἀλλήλων ὅσον σταδίους ἑκατόν, τῆς δὲ Ῥώμης Πραινεστὸς μὲν καὶ διπλάσιον, Τίβουρα δʼ ἔλαττον. φασὶ δʼ Ἑλληνίδας ἀμφοτέρας· Πραινεστὸν γοῦν Πολυστέφανον καλεῖσθαι πρότερον. ἐρυμνὴ μὲν οὖν ἑκατέρα, πολὺ δʼ ἐρυμνοτέρα Πραινεστός· ἄκραν γὰρ ἔχει τῆς μὲν πόλεως ὕπερθεν ὄρος ὑψηλόν, ὄπισθεν δʼ ἀπὸ τῆς συνεχούσης ὀρεινῆς αὐχένι διεζευγμένον, ὑπεραῖρον καὶ δυσὶ σταδίοις τούτου πρὸς ὀρθίαν ἀνάβασιν. πρὸς δὲ τῇ ἐρυμνότητι καὶ διώρυξι κρυπταῖς διατέτρηται πανταχόθεν μέχρι τῶν πεδίων ταῖς μὲν ὑδρείας χάριν ταῖς δʼ ἐξόδων λαθραίων, ὧν ἐν μιᾷ Μάριος πολιορκούμενος ἀπέθανε. ταῖς μὲν οὖν ἄλλαις πόλεσι πλεῖστον τὸ εὐερκὲς πρὸς ἀγαθοῦ τίθεται, Πραινεστίνοις δὲ συμφορὰ γεγένηται διὰ τὰς Ῥωμαίων στάσεις. καταφεύγουσι γὰρ ἐκεῖσε οἱ νεωτερίσαντες· ἐκπολιορκηθέντων δέ, πρὸς τῇ κακώσει τῆς πόλεως καὶ τὴν χώραν ἀπαλλοτριοῦσθαι συμβαίνει, τῆς αἰτίας μεταφερομένης ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀναιτίους. ῥεῖ δὲ διὰ τῆς χώρας Ὀυέρεστις ποταμός. πρὸς ἕω δὲ τῆς Ῥώμης εἰσὶν αἱ λεχθεῖσαι πόλεις.

[12] Ἐνδοτέρω δὲ τῆς κατʼ αὐτὰς ὀρεινῆς ἄλλη ῥάχις ἐστί, μεταξὺ αὐλῶνα καταλείπουσα τὸν κατὰ Ἄλγιδον, ὑψηλὴ μέχρι τοῦ Ἀλβανοῦ ὄρους. ἐπὶ ταύτης δὴ τὸ Τούσκουλον ἵδρυται πόλις οὐ φαύλως κατεσκευασμένη· κεκόσμηται δὲ ταῖς κύκλῳ φυτείαις καὶ οἰκοδομίαις, καὶ μάλιστα ταῖς ὑποπιπτούσαις ἐπὶ τὸ κατὰ τὴν Ῥώμην μέρος. τὸ γὰρ Τοῦσκλον ἐνταῦθα ἐστὶ λόφος εὔγεως καὶ εὔυδρος, κορυφούμενος ἠρέμα πολλαχοῦ καὶ δεχόμενος βασιλείων κατασκευὰς ἐκπρεπεστάτας. συνεχῆ δʼ ἐστὶ καὶ τὰ τῷ Ἀλβανῷ ὄρει ὑποπίπτοντα, τὴν αὐτήν τε ἀρετὴν ἔχοντα καὶ κατασκευήν. ἐφεξῆς δʼ ἐστὶ πεδία, τὰ μὲν πρὸς τὴν Ῥώμην συνάπτοντα καὶ τὰ προάστεια αὐτῆς, τὰ δὲ πρὸς τὴν θάλατταν· τὰ μὲν οὖν πρὸς τὴν θάλατταν ἧττόν ἐστιν ὑγιεινά, τὰ δὲ ἄλλα εὐάγωγά τε καὶ παραπλησίως ἐξησκημένα. μετὰ δὲ τὸ Ἀλβανὸν Ἀρικία ἐστὶ πόλις ἐπὶ τῇ ὁδῷ τῇ Ἀππίᾳ· στάδιοι δʼ εἰσὶν ἐκ τῆς Ῥώμης ἑκατὸν ἑξήκοντα· κοῖλος δʼ ἐστὶν ὁ τόπος, ἔχει δʼ ὅμως ἐρυμνὴν ἄκραν. ὑπέρκειται δʼ αὐτῆς τὸ μὲν Λανούιον, πόλις Ῥωμαίων, ἐν δεξιᾷ τῆς Ἀππίας ὁδοῦ, ἀφʼ ἧς ἔποπτος ἥ τε θάλαττά ἐστι καὶ τὸ Ἄντιον· τὸ δʼ Ἀρτεμίσιον, ὃ καλοῦσι νέμος, ἐκ τοῦ ἐν ἀριστερᾷ μέρους τῆς ὁδοῦ τοῖς ἐξ Ἀρικίας ἀναβαίνουσιν. τῆς δʼ Ἀρικίνης τὸ ἱερὸν λέγουσιν ἀφίδρυμά τι τῆς Ταυροπόλου· καὶ γάρ τι βαρβαρικὸν κρατεῖ καὶ Σκυθικὸν περὶ τὸ ἱερὸν ἔθος. καθίσταται γὰρ ἱερεὺς ὁ γενηθεὶς αὐτόχειρ τοῦ ἱερωμένου πρότερον δραπέτης ἀνήρ· ξιφήρης οὖν ἐστιν ἀεὶ περισκοπῶν τὰς ἐπιθέσεις, ἕτοιμος ἀμύνεσθαι. τὸ δʼ ἱερὸν ἐν ἄλσει, πρόκειται δὲ λίμνη πελαγίζουσα, κύκλῳ δʼ ὀρεινὴ συνεχὴς ὀφρὺς περίκειται καὶ λίαν ὑψηλὴ καὶ τὸ ἱερὸν καὶ τὸ ὕδωρ ἀπολαμβάνουσα ἐν κοίλῳ τόπῳ καὶ βαθεῖ. τὰς μὲν οὖν πηγὰς ὁρᾶν ἔστιν, ἐξ ὧν ἡ λίμνη πληροῦται· τούτων δʼ ἐστὶν ἡ Ἠγερία καλουμένη, δαίμονός τινος ἐπώνυμος· αἱ δʼ ἀπορρύσεις ἐνταῦθα μὲν ἄδηλοί εἰσιν, ἔξω δὲ δείκνυνται πόρρω πρὸς τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν ἀνέχουσαι.

[13] πλησίον δʼ ἐστὶ τῶν χωρίων τούτων καὶ Ἀλβανὸν ὄρος πολὺ ὑπερκῦπτον τοῦ Ἀρτεμισίου καὶ τῶν περὶ αὐτὸ ὀφρύων, καίπερ ὑψηλῶν οὐσῶν καὶ ὀρθίων ἱκανῶς. ἔχει δὲ καὶ τοῦτο λίμνην πολὺ μείζω τῆς κατὰ τὸ Ἀρτεμίσιον⁴. προσωτέρω δὲ τούτων αἱ λεχθεῖσαι πρότερον πόλεις τῆς Λατίνης εἰσί. μάλιστα δʼ ἐν μεσογαίᾳ τῶν Λατίνων πόλεων ἐστὶν ἡ Ἄλβα ὁμοροῦσα Μαρσοῖς· ἵδρυται δʼ ἐφʼ ὑψηλοῦ πάγου λίμνης Φουκίνας πλησίον, πελαγίας τὸ μέγεθος· χρῶνται δʼ αὐτῇ μάλιστα μὲν Μαρσοὶ καὶ πάντες οἱ πλησιόχωροι. φασὶ δʼ αὐτὴν καὶ πληροῦσθαί ποτε μέχρι τῆς ὀρεινῆς καὶ ταπεινοῦσθαι πάλιν ὥστʼ ἀναψύχειν τοὺς λιμνωθέντας τόπους καὶ γεωργεῖσθαι παρέχειν, εἴτε μεταστάσεις τῶν κατὰ βάθους ὑγρῶν σποράδην καὶ ἀδήλως γίνονται πάλιν δʼ ἐπισυρρέουσιν, ἢ τελέως ἐκλείπουσιν αἱ πηγαὶ καὶ πάλιν συνθλίβονται, καθάπερ ἐπὶ τοῦ Ἀμενάνου συμβαίνειν φασὶ τοῦ διὰ Κατάνης ῥέοντος· ἐκλείπει γὰρ ἐπὶ πολλὰ ἔτη καὶ πάλιν ῥεῖ. ἐκ δὲ τῆς Φουκίνας εἶναι τὰς πηγὰς ἱστοροῦσι τοῦ Μαρκίου ὕδατος τοῦ τὴν Ῥώμην ποτίζοντος καὶ παρὰ τἆλλα εὐδοκιμοῦντος ὕδατα. τῇ δὲ Ἄλβᾳ διὰ τὸ ἐν βάθει τῆς χώρας ἱδρῦσθαι καὶ διὰ τὸ εὐερκὲς ἀντὶ φρουρᾶς ἐχρήσαντο πολλάκις Ῥωμαῖοι, τοὺς φυλακῆς δεομένους ἐνταῦθα καθείργοντες.

Notes on the current edition

Geography

1. Probably Lamentana Vecchia.

2. Groskurd considers this to be Amatrice.

3. Rieti.

4. Interdoco, between Rieti and Aquila.

5. Civita Tommassa, or rather Forcella.

6. Monte Leone della Sabina.

7. Chaupy considers this to be Rimane.

8. Rieti.

9. He flourished about 216 years before the Christian era.

10. Gosselin calls our attention to the difference between Strabo’s relation of these occurrences, and the events as commonly recounted by the Greek and Latin authors.

11. Near the spot now called Patemo.

12. Cluvier placed the ancient Alba on the east shore of Lake Albano, about Palazzuolo. Holstenius thinks that it was on the southern shore in the locality of Villa-Domitiana. The Abbe de Chaupy places it farther to the east of Monte Albano.

13. Albano.

14. The sites of these places are much disputed.

15. Kramer considers this 40 an interpolation.

16. Usually Ambarvalia, sacrifices performed by the Fratres Arvales, who formed” a college or company of twelve in number, and were so called, according to Varro, from offering public sacrifices for the fertility of the fields. That they were of extreme antiquity is proved by the legend which refers their institution to Romulus; of whom it is said, that when his nurse, Acca Laurentia, lost one of her twelve sons, he allowed himself to be adopted by her in his place, and called himself and the remaining eleven-Fratres Arvales. (Gell. vi. 7.) We also find a college called the Sodales Titii, and as the latter were confessedly of Sabine origin, and instituted for the purpose of keeping up the Sabine religious rites, (Tac. Ann. i. 53,) there is some reason for the supposition of Niebuhr, that these colleges corresponded one to the other—the Fratres Arvales being connected with the Latin, and the Sodales Titii with the Sabine element of the Roman state; just as there were two colleges of the Luperci, the Fabii and the Quinctilii, the former of whom seem to have belonged to the Sabines.

The office of the Fratres Arvales was for life, and was not taken away even from an exile or captive. They wore, as a badge of office, a chaplet of ears of corn fastened on their heads with a white band. The number given on inscriptions varies, but it is never more than nine; though, according to the legend and general belief, it amounted to twelve. One of their annual duties was to celebrate a three days’ festival in honour of Dea Dia, supposed to be Ceres . . . . Of this the master of the college, appointed annually, gave public notice from the temple of Concord on the Capitol. On the first and last of these days, the college met at the house of their president, to make offerings to the Dea Dia; on the second day they assembled in the grove of the same goddess, about five miles south of Rome, and there offered sacrifices for the fertility of the earth. An account of the different ceremonies of this festival is preserved in an inscription, which was written in the first year of the emperor Heliogabalus, (A. D. 218,) who was elected a member of the college under the name of M. Aurelius Antoninus Pius Felix. The same inscription contains a hymn, which appears to have been sung at the festival from the most ancient times.

Besides this festival of the Dea Dia, the Fratres Arvales were required on various occasions under the emperors to make vows and offer up thanksgivings, an enumeration of which is given in Forcellini. Strabo indeed informs us that, in the reign of Tiberius, these priests performed sacrifices called the Ambarvalia at various places on the borders of the Ager Romanus, or original territory of Rome; and amongst others, at Festi. There is no boldness in supposing that this was a custom handed down from time immemorial; and, moreover, that it was a duty of this priesthood to invoke a blessing upon the whole territory of Rome. It is proved by inscriptions that this college existed till the reign of the emperor Gordian, or A. D. 325, and it is probable that it was not abolished till A. D. 400, together with the other colleges of the pagan priesthoods.

The private Ambarvalia were certainly of a different nature to those mentioned by Strabo, and were so called from the victim hostia Amber- valis that was slain on the occasion, being led three times round the corn-fields, before the sickle was put to the corn. This victim was accompanied by a crowd of merry-makers, ( chorus et socii,) the reapers and farm-servants, dancing and singing, as they marched along, the praises of Ceres, and praying for her favour and presence while they offered her the libations of milk, honey, and wine. (Virg. Georg. i. 338.) This ceremony was also called a lustratio, (Virg. Ecl. v. 83,) or purification; and for a beautiful description of the holiday, and the prayers and vows made on the occasion, the reader is referred to Tibullus (ii. 1). It is perhaps worth while to remark that Polybius (iv. 21, § 9) uses language almost applicable to the Roman Ambarvalia in speaking of the Mantincians, who, he says, (specifying the occasion,) made a purification, and carried victims round the city and all the country.

There is, however, a still greater resemblance to the rites we have been describing, in the ceremonies of the Rogation or gang-week of the Latin church. These consisted of processions through the fields, accompained with prayers ( rogationes) for a blessing on the fruits of the, earth, and were continued during three days in Whitsun-week. The custom was abolished at the Reformation in consequence of its abuses, and the porambulation of the parish boundaries substituted in its place. Vid Hoomer, Eccl. Pol. v. 61, 2; Wheatley,, Com. Pray. v 20. Bohn’s standard Library edition.)

17. The Camenae, says Dr. Smith, were prophetic nymphs, and belonged to the religion of ancient Italy, although later traditions represent them as having been introduced into Italy from Arcadia. Two of the Camenae were Antevorta and Postvorta; the third was Carmenta or Carmentis, a prophetic and healing divinity, who had a temple at the foot of the Capitoline hill, and altars near the Porta Carmentalis. The traditions which assigned a Greek origin to her worship at Rome, state that her original name was Nicostrata, and that she was called Carmentis from her prophetic powers. (Serv. ad Aen. viii. 51, 336; Dionys. i. 15, 32.) According to these traditions, she was the mother of Evander, the Arcadian, by Hermes; and after having endeavoured to persuade her son to kill Hermes, she fled with him to Italy, where she gave oracles to the people and to Hercules. She was put to death by her son at the age of 110 years, and then obtained divine honours. Dionys. i. 31, etc.

18. This name is written in Strabo sometimes αἴκοι, sometimes αἴκουοι; the Latin writers also named them differently, Aequi, Aecani, Aequicoli, etc.

19. Privernates of Pliny; the chief city is now called Piperno.

20. 604 years B. C.

21. Suessa surnamed Pometia, to distinguish it from Suessa Aurunca, is here alluded to. Its exact position does not appear to be known.

22. La Riccia.

23. Capo d’ Anzo.

24. Monte Dragone.

25. Monte Circello.

26. According to Cluvier, Strabo was mistaken in making Latium extend to the country of the Peligni, as these latter were always separated from Latium by the Marsi.

27. Sezza.

28. The vine to which the term arbustive or hautain is applied, which the French translators explain as a vine trained from the foot of a tree.

29. Castor and Pollux.

30. Near Paterno.

31. Storas, the Astura of Pliny.

32. Libs.

33. Hodie, the Porto di Paula, connected with the Lake of S. Maria.

34. This does not appear to be in accordance with the statement of Dionysius Halicarnassus and Pliny, that the Ausonians anciently possessed the whole coast, from the Strait of Messina to the entrance of the Adriatic.

35. Or mountainous.

36. We should doubtless here read the Ufens, the modern Ufente.

37. βροεντέσιον, now Brindes.

38. Mola di Gaeta.

39. The ruins of this town are extant on either bank of the Garigliano, the ancient Liris.

40. Rocca di Monte Dragone.

41. Compare Horace, Satir. l. i. sat. 5.

42. Tarracina and Formiae.

43. Gaëta.

44. At Sperlunga.

45. The Garigliano.

46. Vestini, MSS.

47. Ponza.

48. Sezza. The French translators think this should be Vescia.

49. Albano.

50. Called also the Quirinal, and often Salara, according to Ovid.

51. Anio.

52. The Nar.

53. The Teneas of Strabo.

54. ὸ κλάνις, there were other rivers called Clanis as well as this.

55. Chiusi.

56. Suetonius likewise mentions this fact. Dion Cassius informs us that Augustus, in the year of Rome 732, and twenty-two years before our era, commanded that the curule aediles should promptly endeavour to arrest the progress of conflagrations, and for this purpose placed at their disposal 600 guards. Fifteen years afterwards he established a company of seven freedmen, presided over by one of the equestrian order, to see what means could be taken in order to prevent these numerous fires. Augustus, however, was not the first to take precautions of this nature, as we may learn from Livy, 1. ix. § 46; 1. xxxix. § 14; Tacit. Annal. 1. xv. § 43, and various other authorities.

57. Subsequent emperors reduced this standard still lower. See what Tacitus says of Nero in regard to this point, Annal. l. xv. § 43. Trajan forbade that any house should be constructed above 60 feet in height. Sextus Aurelius Victor, Epit. § 27.

58. There were five modes of playing at ball; 1. Throwing it up and catching it; 2. Foot-ball; 3. A throwing of the ball from one to another in a large party of players; 4. A dashing of the ball to the ground with force enough to rebound, when it was struck down again with the palm of the hand, and a reckoning was kept of the number of times the feat was repeated; and 5. A ball thrown among the players, who all endeavoured to obtain possession of it; this was a game of which we have no accurate account, it was called ἁοͅπαστὸν, and Galen speaks of it, πεοͅὶ μικρο͂ς οφαιοͅας, c. 2, p. 902.

59. Coray proposes to read δίσκῳ, at quoits.

60. The tomb of Augustus.

61. θῆκαι, urns, Greek.

62. The Campus Martius.

63. The modern Gavua.

64. S. Maria di Capoa.

65. Tascolo.

66. L’Ostera deil’ Aglio.

67. Ferentino, near to Vitorchiano.

68. Frusinone.

69. Falvaterra.

70. Trerus.

71. Aquino.

72. Melpis.

73. Teano.

74. Calvi.

75. Nova Capua.

76. Sezza.

77. Segni.

78. ποͅὸ δὲ ταὺτης. It seems doubtful whether ταύτης refers to Signia, or the Via Appia.

79. This city was sacked by the last Tarquin.

80. Core.

81. Probably Torre Petrara.

82. Kramer supposes this name to be an interpolation; the idea of Cluvier, adopted by Siebenkees and Coray, is that we should here read σουέσσα τῶν πωμεντίνων, Suessa Pometia.

83. Veiletri.

84. Alatri.

85. Ceperano.

86. 125, B. C.

87. Now called l’ Osteria del Pantano, situated very near the Castel dell’ Osa, and close by the lake Pantan de’ Griffi.

88. Palestrina.

89. Anagni.

90. Cerretano.

91. Liris.

92. Venafro.

93. Vulturnus.

94. Capua.

95. Castel di Volturno.

96. Isernia.

97. Allife.

98. 90 years B. C.

99. Tivoli.

100. The modern Pentima is supposed to occupy the site where the citadel of Corfinium stood, and the church of S. Pelino, about three miles from Popoli, stands on that of the ancient city of Corfinium.

101. We read with all MSS. and editions, Valeria, but Kramer, following the conjectures of Cluvier and others, has adopted Varia in his text.

102. Carsoli.

103. Albi.

104. Groskurd considers this to be Cucullo, alias Scutolo.

105. Il Tuscolo, above the modern town of Frascati.

106. The classic Anio.

107. The waters from the sulphur-lake; named the Solfatara di Tivoli.

108. Now the Lago di S. Giovanni, or Bagni di Grotta Marozza.

109. Prob. Cretona, not Monte Rotondo.

110. The younger Marius being entirely defeated by Sulla in the decisive battle fought near Sacriportus, B. C. 82, Marius threw himself into Praeneste, where he had deposited the treasures of the Capitoline temple. (Pliny H. N. 1. xxxiii. s. 5.) Sulla left Lucretius Opella to prosecute the siege while he hastened on to Rome. Various efforts were made to relieve Praeneste, but they all failed; and after Sulla’s great victory at the Colline gate of Rome, in which Pontius Telesinus was defeated and slain, Marius despaired of holding out any longer, and in company with the brother of Telesinus attempted to escape by a subterraneous passage, which led from the town into the open country; but finding that their flight was discovered, they put all end to one another’s lives. According to other accounts, Marius killed himself, or was killed by his slave at his own request. Marius perished in the year of his consulship. Smith, Diet. Biogr. and Myth.

111. The Abbé Chaupy is inclined to think that this was a name given to the part nearest the source of the river which Strabo, § 9, calls the Trerus, but Kramer thinks it was originally written ὸ τρῆρος, and corrupted by the copyists.

112. Monte Cavo.

113. We have translated literally ἔχει δ’ ὅρυμνὴν ἄκραν, but it is possible that Strabo may have meant that the citadel was built on a height above the town; if so the citadel would occupy the site of la Riccia.

114. Civita Lavinia, or, Città della Vigna.

115. Or Grove of Diana.

116. Nemus Ariciae.

117. The text here appears to be mutilated.

118. Monte Cavo.

119. The Lago d’Albano.

120. Alba Fucensis is here intended: hod. Albi.

121. The Judicello.

122. Catania, in Sicily.

123. See Pliny in reference to the Aqua Marcia, Hist. Nat. l. xxxi. § 24, also 1. ii. § 106.

124. It served successively as a place of confinement for the kings Syphax, Perseus, and Bituitus.

Strabo Geography 5.3

Hans Claude Hamilton (Translator), William Falconer (Translator)

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