[1] AFTER having commenced with the nations about the Alps, and the Apennine mountains which are near to these, we proceeded from thence and passed through that portion of the hither country lying between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Apennine mountains, which incline towards the Adriatic, as far as the Samnites and the Campani. We will now return again, and describe the mountaineers, and those who dwell at the foot of the mountains; whether on the coast of the Adriatic, or in the interior. Thus, we must recommence from the boundaries of Keltica. ¹

[2] After the cities of the Ombrici, which are comprised between Ariminum ² and Ancona, comes Picenum. The Picentini proceeded originally from the land of the Sabini. A woodpecker led the way for their chieftains, and from this bird they have taken their name, it being called in their language Picus, and is regarded as sacred to Mars. They inhabit the plains extending from the mountains to the sea; the length of their country considerably exceeds its breadth; the soil is every where good, but better fitted for the cultivation of fruits than grain. Its breadth, from the mountains to the sea varies in different parts. But its length; from the river Aesis ³ to Castrum, ⁴ sailing round the coast, is 800 stadia. Of its cities, Ancona is of Grecian origin, having been founded by the Syracusans who fled from the tyranny of Dionysius. It is situated upon a cape, which bending round towards the north forms a harbour; and it abounds in wine and wheat. Near to it is the city of Auxumon, ⁵ at a little distance from the sea. After it are Septempeda, ⁶ Pneuentia, ⁷ Potentia, ⁸ and Firmum Picenum, ⁹ with its port of Castellum. ¹⁰ Beyond, is the temple of Cupra, ¹¹ built and dedicated by the Tyrrheni to Juno, who is named by them Cupra; and after it the river Tronto, ¹² with a city of the same name. ¹³ Beyond this is Castrum Novum, ¹⁴ and the river Piomba, ¹⁵ flowing from the city of Adria, ¹⁶ and having [at its mouth] the naval station of Adria, which bears the same name as itself. In the interior is [the city of Adria] itself and Asculum Picenum, ¹⁷ a very strong position, upon which is built a wall: the mountains which surround it are not accessible to armies. ¹⁸ Above Picenum are the Vestini, ¹⁹ the Marsi, ²⁰ the Peligni, ²¹ the Marucini, ²² and the Frentani, ²³ a Samnitic nation possessing the hill-country, and extending almost to the sea. All these nations are small, but extremely brave, and have frequently given the Romans proofs of their valour, first as enemies, afterwards as allies; and finally, having demanded the liberty and rights of citizens, and being denied, they revolted and kindled the Marsian war. ²⁴ They decreed that Corfinium, ²⁵ the metropolis of the Peligni, should be the capital for all the Italians instead of Rome: made it their place d’armes, and new-named it Italica. Then, having convoked deputies from all the people friendly to their design, they created consuls ²⁶ and pretors, and maintained the war for two ²⁷ years, until they had obtained the rights for which they struggled. The war was named the Marsian ²⁸ war, because that nation commenced the insurrection, and particularly on account of Pompaedius. ²⁹ These nations live generally in villages, nevertheless they are possessed of certain cities, some of which are at some little distance from the sea, as Corfinium, Sulmo, ³⁰ Maruvium, ³¹ and Teatea ³² the metropolis of the Marrucini. Others are on the coast, as Aternum ³³ on the Picentine boundary, so named from the river [Aternus], which separates the Vestini from the Marrucini. This river flows from the territory of Amiternum and through the Vestini, leaving on its right the Marrucini, who lie above the Peligni, [at the place where the river] is crossed by a bridge. The city, which bears the same name, (viz. Aternum,) belongs to the Vestini, but its port is used in common both by the Peligni and the Marrucini. The bridge I have mentioned is about 24 stadia from Corfinium. After Aternum is Orton, ³⁴ a naval arsenal of the Frentani, and Buca, ³⁵ which belongs to the same people, and is conterminous with the Apulian Teanum. ³⁶ † Ortonium ³⁷ is situated in the territory of the Frentani. It is rocky, and inhabited by banditti, who construct their dwellings of the wrecks of ships, and lead otherwise a savage life. † Between Orton and Aternum is the river Sagrus, ³⁸ which separates the Frentani from the Peligni. From Picenum to the Apuli, named by the Greeks the Daunii, ³⁹ sailing round the coast, is a distance of about 490 ⁴⁰ stadia.

[3] Next in order after Latium is Campania, which extends along the [Tyrrhenian] Sea; above it is Samnium, in the interior, extending as far as the Frentani and Daunii; and beyond are the Daunii, and the other nations as far as the Strait of Sicily. We shall in the first place speak of Campania. From Sinuessa ⁴¹ to Misenum ⁴² the coast forms a vast gulf; beyond this is another gulf still larger, which they name the Crater. ⁴³ It is enclosed by the two promontories of Misenum and the Athenaeum. ⁴⁴ It is along the shores of these [two gulfs] that the whole of Campania is situated. This plain is fertile above all others, and entirely surrounded by fruitful hills and the mountains of the Samnites and Osci. Antiochus says that this country was formerly inhabited by the Opici, and that these were called Ausones. Polybius appears to consider these as two people, for he says that the Opici and Ausones inhabit the country around the Crater. ⁴⁵ Others, however, state that it was originally inhabited by Opici and Ausones, but was afterwards seized on by a nation of the Osci, who were driven out by the Cumaei, and these again by the Tyrrheni. Thus the possession of the plain was much disputed on account of its great fertility. [They add that the Tyrrheni] built there twelve cities, and named the metropolis Capua. But luxury having made them effeminate, in the same way that they had formerly been driven from the banks of the Po, they were now forced to abandon this country to the Samnites; who in their turn fell before the Romans. One proof of the fertility of this country is, that it produces the finest corn. I allude to the grain from which a groat is made superior to all kinds of rice, and to almost all other farinacious food. They say that some of the plains are cropped all the year round; twice with rye, the third time with panic, and occasionally a fourth time with vegetables. It is likewise from hence that the Romans procure their finest wines, the Falernian, the Statanian, and the Calenian. That of Surrentum ⁴⁶ is now esteemed equal to these, it having been lately discovered that it can be kept to ripen. In addition to this, the whole country round Venafrum, bordering on the plains, is rich in olives.

[4] The maritime cities [of Campania], after Sinuessa, are Liternum, ⁴⁷ where is the sepulchral monument of the first of the two Scipios, surnamed Africanus; it was here that he passed the last days of his life, having abandoned public affairs in disgust at the intrigues of certain opponents. A river of the same name ⁴⁸ flows by this city. In like manner the Vulturnus bears the same name as the city ⁴⁹ founded on it, which comes next in order: this river flows through Venafrum ⁵⁰ and the midst of Campania. After these [cities] comes Cumae, ⁵¹ the most ancient settlement ⁵² of the Chalcidenses and Cumaeans, for it is the oldest of all [the Greek cities] in Sicily or Italy. The leaders of the expedition, Hippocles the Cumaean and Megasthenes of Chalcis, having mutually agreed that one of the nations should have the management of the colony, and the other the honour of conferring upon it its own name. Hence at the present day it is named Cumae, while at the same time it is said to have been founded by the Chalcidenses. At first this city was highly prosperous, as well as the Phlegraean ⁵³ plain, which mythology has made the scene of the adventures of the giants, for no other reason, as it appears, than because the fertility of the country had given rise to battles for its possession. Afterwards, however, the Campanians becoming masters ⁵⁴ of the city, inflicted much injustice on the inhabitants, and even violated their wives. Still, however, there remain numerous traces of the Grecian taste, their temples, and their laws. Some are of opinion that Cumae was so called from τὰ κύματα, the waves, the sea-coast near it being rocky and exposed. These people have excellent fisheries. On the shores of this gulf there is a scrubby forest, extending over numerous acres of parched and sandy land. This they call the Gallinarian ⁵⁵ wood. It was there that the admirals of Sextus Pompeius assembled their gangs of pirates, at the time when he drew Sicily into revolt. ⁵⁶

[5] Near to Cumae is the promontory of Misenum, ⁵⁷ and between them is the Acherusian Lake, ⁵⁸ which is a muddy estuary of the sea. Having doubled Misenum, you come to a harbour at the very foot of the promontory. After this the shore runs inland, forming a deeply indented bay, on which are Baïae and the hot springs, much used, both as a fashionable watering-place, and for the cure of diseases. Contiguous to Baïae is the Lucrine Lake, ⁵⁹ and within this the Lake Avernus, ⁶⁰ which converts into a peninsula the land stretching from the maritime district, situated between it and Cumae, as far as Cape Misenum, for there is only an isthmus of a few stadia, across which a subterraneous road is cut [from the head of the gulf of Avernus] to Cumae and the sea [shore] on which it stands. Former writers, mingling fable with history, have applied to Avernus the expressions of Homer in his Invocation of Departed Spirits, ⁶¹ and relate that here formerly was an oracle of the dead, ⁶² and that it was to this place that Ulysses came. However, this gulf of Avernus is deep even near the shore, with an excellent entrance, and is both as to its size and nature a harbour; but it is not used, on account of the Lucrine Gulf which lies before it, and is both large and somewhat shallow. The Avernus is surrounded with steep hills which encompass the whole of it, with the exception of the entrance. These hills, now so beautifully cultivated were formerly covered with wild forests, gigantic and impenetrable, which overshadowed the gulf, imparting a feeling of superstitious awe. The inhabitants affirm that birds, flying over the lake, fall into the water, ⁶³ being stifled by the vapours rising from it, a phenomenon of all Plutonian ⁶⁴ localities. They believed, in fact, that this place was a Plutonium, around which the Kimmerians used to dwell, and those who sailed into the place made sacrifice and propitiatory offerings to the infernal deities, as they were instructed by the priests who ministered at the place. There is here a spring of water near to the sea fit for drinking, from which, however, every one abstained, as they supposed it to be water from the Styx: [they thought likewise] that the oracle of the dead was situated some where here; and the hot springs near to the Acherusian Lake indicated the proximity of Pyriphlegethon. Ephorus, peopling this place with Kimmerii, tells us that they dwell in under-ground habitations, named by them Argillae, and that these communicate with one another by means of certain subterranean passages; and that they conduct strangers through them to the oracle, which is built far below the surface of the earth. They live on the mines together with the profits accruing from the oracle, and grants made to them by the king [of the country]. It was a traditional custom for the servants of the oracle never to behold the sun, and only to quit their caverns at night. It was on this account that the poet said,

On them the Sun

Deigns not to look with his beam-darting eye. ⁶⁵

Odys. xi. 15. At last, however, these men were exterminated by one of the kings, the oracle having deceived him; but [adds Ephorus] the oracle is still in existence, though removed to another place. Such were the myths related by our ancestors. But now that the wood surrounding the Avernus has been cut down by Agrippa, the lands built upon, and a subterranean passage cut from Avernus to Cumae, all these appear fables. Perhaps ⁶⁶ Cocceius, who made this subterranean passage, ⁶⁷ wished to follow the practice of the Kimmerians we have already described, or fancied that it was natural to this place that its roads should be made under-ground.

[6] The Lucrine gulf extends in breadth as far as Baïae; it is separated from the sea by a bank eight stadia in length, and the breadth of a carriage-way; this they say was constructed by Hercules when he drove away the oxen of Geryon. But as the wave covered its surface in stormy weather, rendering it difficult to pass on foot, Agrippa has repaired it. Small vessels can put into it, but it is useless as a harbour. ⁶⁸ It contains abundant oyster-beds. Some take this to be the Acherusian Lake, while Artemidorus confounds it with Avernus. They say that Baïae took its name from Baius one of the companions of Ulysses, and Misenum from Misenus. Beyond is the strand and city of Dicaearchia. Formerly it was nothing but a naval station of the Cumaei. It was built on an eminence. But at the time of the war with Hannibal, the Romans established a colony there, and changed its name into Puteoli, ⁶⁹ [an appellation derived] from its wells; or, according to others, from the stench of its waters, the whole district from hence to Baïae and Cumae being full of sulphur, fire, and hot-springs. Some too are of opinion that it was on this account [that the country about] Cumae was named Phlegra, and that the fables of the giants struck down by thunderbolts owe their origin to these eruptions of fire and water. This city has become a place of extensive commerce, having artificially constructed harbours, which were much facilitated by the facile nature of the sand, which contains much gypsum, and will cement and consolidate thoroughly. For mixing this sand with chalk-stones they construct moles in the sea, thus forming bays along the open coast, in which the largest transport ships may safely ride. Immediately above the city lies the Forum-Vulcani, ⁷⁰ a plain surrounded with hills which seem to be on fire, having in many parts mouths emitting smoke, frequently accompanied by a terrible rumbling noise; the plain itself is full of drifted sulphur.

[7] After Dicaearchia is Neapolis, ⁷¹ Innumerable accounts exist relative to the foundation of this city. The most prevalent fiction was that the siren Parthenope was cast upon its shores, and from her it derived the name, by which it was usually designated by the ancient poets.

Sirenum dedit una suum memorabile nomen

Parthenope muris Acheloïas: aequore cujus

Regnavere diu cantus, quum dulce per undas

Exitium miseris caneret non prospera nautis.

Sil. Ital. xii. 33. Scymnus of Chios mentions both the Phocaei and Cumaei as its founders. Stephanus of Byzantium attributes its foundation to the Rhodians; their proximity is favourable to the claims of the Cumaei, and hence the connexion of Naples with Euboea, alluded to by Statius, who was born there.

At te nascentem gremio mea prima recepit

Parthenope, dulcisque solo tu gloria nostro

Reptasti; nitidum consurgat ad aethera tellus

Eubois, et pulchra tumeat Sebethos alumna.

Silv. i. 2. A Greek inscription mentions a hero named Eumelus as having had divine honours paid to him, possibly as founder of the city. [See Capaccio, Hist. Nap. p. 105. Martorelli de’ Fenici primi abitatori di Napoli.] This may illustrate the following lines,—

Di patrii, quos auguriis super aequora magnis

Littus ad Ausonium devexit Abantia classis,

Tu ductor populi longe emigrantis Apollo,

Cujus adhuc volucrem leva cervice sedentem

Respiciens blande felix Eumelis adorat.

Silv. iv. 8, 45. originally] by the Cumaei, but afterwards being peopled by Chalcidians, and certain Pithecussaeans and Athenians, ⁷² it was on this account denominated Naples. ⁷³ Here is pointed out the tomb of Parthenope, one of the sirens, and a gymnastic sport is celebrated by command of an oracle. In course of time the inhabitants, having disagreed amongst themselves, admitted certain Campanians; thus being forced to regard in the light of friends those most inimical to them, since their friends were hostile. This is proved by the names of their demarchi, the earlier of which are Grecian, but the latter a mixture of Campanian with the Grecian names. Many traces of Grecian institution are still preserved, the gymnasia, the ephebeia, ⁷⁴ the fratriae, ⁷⁵ and the Grecian names of people who are Roman citizens. At the present time they celebrate, every fifth year, public games for music and gymnastic exercises during many days, which rival the most famous games of Greece. There is here a subterranean passage, similar to that at Cumae, ⁷⁶ extending for many stadia along the mountain, ⁷⁷ between Dicaearchia ⁷⁸ and Neapolis: it is sufficiently broad to let carriages pass each other, and light is admitted from the surface of the mountain, by means of numerous apertures cut through a great depth. ⁷⁹ Naples also has hot springs and baths not at all inferior in quality to those at Baïae, but much less frequented, for another city has arisen there, not less than Dicaearchia, one palace after another having been built. Naples still preserves the Grecian mode of life, owing to those who retire hither from Rome for the sake of repose, after a life of labour from childhood, and to those whose age or weakness demands relaxation. Besides these, Romans who find attractions in this style of life, and observe the numbers of persons dwelling there, are attracted by the place, and make it their abode.

[8] Following this is the fortress of Heraclaeum, ⁸⁰ built upon a promontory which projects out into the sea, and which, on account of the prevalence of the south-west wind, is a very healthy spot. The Osci ⁸¹ originally possessed both this and Pompeia, ⁸² which is next to it, by which the river Sarno ⁸³ flows; afterwards the Tyrrheni and Pelasgi, ⁸⁴ and then the Samnites ⁸⁵ obtained possession of them, and the last ⁸⁶ in their turn were driven from these regions. Pompeia is the port for Nola, ⁸⁷ Nuceria, ⁸⁸ and Acerrae, which bears the same name as the city near to Cremona. It is built on the river Sarno, by which merchandise is received and exported. Above these places is Mount Vesuvius, which is covered with very beautiful fields, excepting its summit, a great part of which is level, but wholly sterile. It appears ash-coloured to the eye, cavernous hollows appear formed of blackened stones, looking as if they had been subjected to the action of fire. From this we may infer that the place was formerly in a burning state with live craters, which however became extinguished on the failing of the fuel. Perhaps this [volcano] may have been the cause of the fertility of the surrounding country, the same as occurs in Catana, where they say that that portion which has been covered with ashes thrown up by the fires of Aetna is most excellent for the vine. The land about Vesuvius contains fat, and a soil which has been subjected to fire, and is very strong and productive of fruit: when this fat superabounds, it is apt, like all sulphurous substances, to take fire, but being dried up by evaporation, extinguished, and pulverized, it becomes a productive earth. Adjoining Pompeia is Surrentum, ⁸⁹ [a city] of the Campanians, from whence the Athenaeum, ⁹⁰ called by some the promontory of the Sirenuae, projects [into the sea]; upon its summit is the temple of Minerva, founded by Ulysses. From hence to the island of Capreas the passage is short; after doubling the promontory you encounter various desert and rocky little islands, which are called the Sirenusae. ⁹¹ On the side towards Surrentum there is shown a temple with the ancient offerings of those who held this place in veneration. Here is the end of the bay named Crater, ⁹² which is bounded by the two promontories of Misenum ⁹³ and the Athenaeum, both looking towards the south. The whole is adorned by the cities we have described, by villas, and plantations, so close together that to the eye they appear but one city.

[9] In front of Misenum lies the island of Prochyta, ⁹⁴ which has been rent from the Pithecussae. ⁹⁵ Pithecussae was peopled by a colony of Eretrians and Chalcidians, which was very prosperous on account of the fertility of the soil and the productive gold-mines; however, they abandoned the island on account of civil dissensions, and were ultimately driven out by earthquakes, and eruptions of fire, sea, and hot waters. It was on account of these eruptions, to which the island is subject, that the colonists sent by Hiero, ⁹⁶ the king of Syracuse, abandoned the island, together with the town which they had built, when it was taken possession of by the Neapolitans. This explains the myth concerning Typhon, who, they say, lies beneath the island, and when he turns himself, causes flames and water to rush forth, and sometimes even small islands to rise in the sea, containing springs of hot water. Pindar throws more credibility into the myth, by making it conformable to the actual phenomena, for the whole strait from Cumae to Sicily is subigneous, and below the sea has certain galleries which form a communication between [the volcanos ⁹⁷ of the islands ⁹⁸ ] and those of the main-land. He shows that Aetna is on this account of the nature described by all, and also the Lipari Islands, with the regions around Dicaearchia, Neapolis, Baïae, and the Pithecussae. And mindful hereof, [Pindar] says that Typhon lies under the whole of this space. Timaeus, ¹⁰⁰ who remarks that many paradoxical accounts were related by the ancients concerning the Pithecussae, states, nevertheless, that a little before his time, Mount Epomeus, ¹⁰¹ in the middle of the island, being shaken by an earthquake, vomited forth fire; and that the land between it and the coast was driven out into the sea. That the powdered soil, after being whirled on high, was poured down again upon the island in a whirlwind. That the sea retired from it to a distance of three stadia, but after remaining so for a short time it returned, and inundated the island, thus extinguishing the fire. And that the inhabitants of the continent fled at the noise, from the sea-coast, into the interior of Campania. It seems that the hot-springs ¹⁰² here are a remedy for those afflicted with gravel. Capreae ¹⁰³ anciently possessed two small cities, afterwards but one. The Neapolitans possessed this island, but having lost Pithecussae in war, they received it again from Caesar Augustus, giving him in exchange Capreae. This [island] having thus become the property of that prince, he has ornamented it with numerous edifices. Such then are the maritime cities of Campania, and the islands lying opposite to it.

[10] In the interior is the metropolis, Capua, being, as the etymon of the name signifies, the head; for in regard to it all the other cities appear small, excepting Teanum-Sidicinum, ¹⁰⁴ which is a very considerable place. This city lies on the Via Appia, as also the others which lead from hence to Brundusium, [viz.] Callateria, ¹⁰⁵ Caudium, ¹⁰⁶ and Beneventum. ¹⁰⁷ On the side of Rome is Casilinum, ¹⁰⁸ situated on the river Vulturnus. ¹⁰⁹ Here 540 men of Praeneste sustained against Hannibal in the height of his power so desperate a siege, that by reason of the famine, a rat ¹¹⁰ was sold for two hundred drachmae, the seller dying [of hunger], but the purchaser being saved. Hannibal observing some of them sowing turnip-seed near to the wall, admired, as well he might, the patient courage of these men, who hoped to hold out in the mean while, until these turnips should be ready for food. However, we are assured that they all survived, with the exception of a few who perished either by famine or in war.

[11] In addition to those just spoken of, there are these Campanian cities which we have already mentioned, viz. Cales, ¹¹¹ and Teanum-Sidicinum, the limits of which are respectively marked out by the two temples of Fortune situated on either side of the Via Latina. Besides these are Suessula, ¹¹² Atella, ¹¹³ Nola, ¹¹⁴ Nuceria, ¹¹⁵ Acerroe, ¹¹⁶ Abella, ¹¹⁷ with other smaller settlements, some of which are said to be Samnite. ¹¹⁸ The Samnites, by making incursions into Latium as far as Ardea, and afterwards devastating Campania itself, greatly extended their power. The Campanians, being otherwise accustomed to a despotic government, yielded ready obedience to their commands. At the present day they have been almost entirely exterminated by the various Roman generals, and last of all by Sulla, who was absolute master of the republic. He, after having by numerous battles extinguished the Italian revolt, observing that the Samnites, almost without exception, remained in one body, and with one sole intention, so that they had even marched upon Rome itself, gave them battle under the walls, and as he had issued orders to make no prisoners, many of them were cut to pieces on the field, while the remainder, said to be about three or four thousand men, who threw down their arms, were led off to the Villa Publica in the Campus Martius, and there shut in; three days after soldiers were sent in who massacred the whole; and when [Sulla] drew up his conscription list, he did not rest satisfied until he had destroyed, or driven from Italy, every one who bore a Samnite name. To those who reproached him for this animosity, he replied that he had learned by experience that not a single Roman could rest in peace so long as any of the Samnites survived. Thus their cities have now dwindled into villages, some indeed being entirely deserted, as Boianum, ¹¹⁹ Aesernia, ¹²⁰ Panna, Telesia ¹²¹ adjoining Venafrum, and others similar, none of which can be looked upon as cities; but in a country so renowned and powerful as Italy, we thought proper to mention places even of second-rate importance. [We should add that] Beneventum ¹²² and Venusia ¹²³ are still prosperous.

[12] The following is the tradition concerning the [origin of the] Samnites. The Sabines having been engaged for a long period in war with the Ombrici, made a vow, common with some of the Grecian nations, that they would consecrate to the gods the productions of the year. ¹²⁴ They were victorious, and accordingly of the productions, ¹²⁵ the one kind were sacrificed, the other consecrated. However, in a time of scarcity, some one remarked, that they ought likewise to have consecrated the children. This then they did, and the children born at that period were called the sons of Mars. ¹²⁶ When these had grown up to manhood, they were sent forth, a bull leading the way, to found a colony. The bull lay down to rest in a place belonging to the Opici; a people dwelling in villages. These they drove out, and established themselves in the place. The bull, according to the direction of the diviners, they sacrificed to Mars, who had given him to then as a leader. It seems to have been in allusion to this that their parents called them by the diminutive form of Sabelli. ¹²⁷ The name of Samnites, or, as the Greeks call them, Saunites, originated in another cause. It is also said that certain Lacedaemonians came to dwell amongst them, and that this is the reason of their affection for the Greeks, and that certain of them are called Pitanatae. ¹²⁸ The whole of this, however, appears to be a mere fabrication of the Tarentini, interested in flattering and conciliating to themselves a neighbouring people, so powerful as to be able, on a time, to bring into the field a force of eighty thousand foot-soldiers, and eight thousand cavalry. There is said to be a law amongst the Samnites, excellent in itself, and calculated to excite to virtue. It is not lawful for fathers to give away their daughters to whomsoever they may please; but every year ten of the most virtuous young women, and ten of the most virtuous young men, are selected; of these the most excellent young man is married to the most excellent young woman, the second to the second, and so on in order. Should he who receives this reward, afterwards change and become wicked, he is dishonoured, and the wife who had been given is taken away from him. Beyond are the Hirpini, who are also Samnites: their name they take from the wolf, which conducted their colony; a wolf being called by the Samnites hirpos: these people border on the Leucani in the interior. So much for the Samnites.

[13] The fertility of their country has been productive to the Campanians of as much evil as good. Their luxury ran to such a height, that they would invite to supper, in order to exhibit pairs of fighting gladiators, the exact number of pairs being regulated according to the distinction of the guests. When, on their voluntary submission to Hannibal, they received his soldiers into winter quarters, ¹²⁹ the pleasures [of the place] rendered the men so effeminate, that Hannibal said, although conqueror, that he was in danger of the enemy, since his soldiers were returned to him women, and no longer men. When the Romans obtained the mastery, ¹³⁰ they inflicted on them numerous ills, and ended by distributing their land by lot. ¹³¹ At the present day they are living in prosperity, and on friendly terms with the [Roman] colonists, and preserve their ancient reputation, both in respect to the size of their city and the numbers of their population. Beyond Campania and the Samnites, ¹³² and upon the Tyrrhenian Sea, dwells the nation of the Picentini. This is a small off-shoot from the Picentini who dwell near the Adriatic, and was transplanted by the Romans to the Posidoniate Gulf, ¹³³ now called the Gulf of Paestum. The city of Posidonia, which is built about the middle of the gulf, is called Paestum. ¹³⁴ The Sybarites [when they founded the city ¹³⁵ ] built the fortifications close upon the sea, but the inhabitants removed higher up. In after time ¹³⁶ the Leucani seized upon the city, but in their turn were deprived of it by the Romans. ¹³⁷ It is rendered unhealthy by a river ¹³⁸ which overflows the marshy districts in the neighbourhood. Between the Sirenusse and Posidonia ¹³⁹ is Marcina, ¹⁴⁰ a city founded by the Tyrrheni, but inhabited by the Samnites. [To go] from thence into Pompaea, ¹⁴¹ through Nuceria, ¹⁴² [you cross] an isthmus of not more than 120 stadia. The Picentes extend as far as the river Silaro, ¹⁴³ which separates their country on this side from ancient Leucania. ¹⁴⁴ The water of this river is reported to possess the singular property of petrifying any plant thrown into it, preserving at the same time both the colour and form. ¹⁴⁵ Picentia was formerly the capital of the Picentes; but they now dwell in villages, having been ejected by the Romans ¹⁴⁶ for taking part with Hannibal. Also, instead of doing military service, it has been decreed that they shall be the public daily couriers and letter-carriers; [a penalty] which for the same cause has been likewise inflicted on the Leucani and Bruttii. To keep them in check, the Romans fortified Salernum, which is a little above the sea. The distance from the Sirenusse to the Silaro is 260 stadia.