The Romane historie vvritten by T. Livius of Padua. Also, the Breviaries of L. Florus: with a chronologie to the whole historie: and the Topographie of Rome in old time. Translated out of Latine into English, by Philemon Holland, Doctor in Physicke

THE FIRST BOOKE.

CHAP. I. The Situation of the Cittie.

BEfore we enterprise to shew the edifices and buildings of the cittie of Rome, som∣what would be premised of the site thereof. Begin therefore we will at the very habitation of the immortall gods; with the invocation of whome, the Poets are woont in every hard and difficult worke, to lay their first ground and make their entrance.

The Capitoll hill, where it is broadest, exceedeth not 800 foot: in length it lyeth out toward the Northwest 1500. It hath a point or wing on either side in fashion of a semicircle, and in compasse containeth well-neere seven * 1.1 furlongs.

From this mount as it runneth out in length, the Palatine hill is divided by a valley of the same breadth, or somewhat more; making a square with 4 angles of unequal sides, conteining 1200 pa∣ces. For, the one of 600 foot boundeth upon the Capitoline hill: a second of 700 foot, bendeth to the Northeast: the third, being almost twice as long, looketh toward the Southeast and the mount Coelius: the fourth, which of all others is biggest, and comprehendeth the lists or shew-place called Circus maximus, directly regardeth the Aventine. On the second side thereof there is one plaine, reaching from the head and top of the Forum Rom. to the utmost skirt of the hill Quirinalis, which bendeth toward the Suburra, and taketh up in breadth 500 foot: but it lyeth out in length almost a mile from both fronts, betweene the Capitoll, the Forum Nervae, and the mount Coelius: in like ma∣ner from the said mount Coelius and Palatine, Suburra and the Esquiliae, as farre as to the Church of Saint Marcelline. A second plaine there is, under the other point and top of the Capitoll, neere the Theatre of Marcellus, which stretcheth out 500 foot from the mount it selfe, as farre as to the Tyber; and anon over-against the valley, from the crooked reach and course of the river, and the nouke. whereby the Aventine is divided from the Palatine, it spreadeth broader: but afterwards betweene the said hills it groweth narrow, untill yee come to Coeliolus and the very gate Capena, where the Aventine is parted from Coeliolus onely by the breadt of the street or high way. The length of this plain is likewise a mile, having on the right hand, Tyber and the Aventine; on the left, the Capi∣toline mount, the Palatine, and Coelius.

Then followeth the mount Coelius (separate from the Palatine by a plaine) resembling a pyrami∣dall forme of a spire, so as the Base thereof conteineth 500 foot neere to the Amphitheatre. Divided also from the same it is by the street Appia, fast by the grand Cirque, which reaching to the gate Ca∣pena, leaveth on the left hand a valley 600 foot broad, betweene Coelius and Coeliolus, lying out in length 4 Stadia, and within a while to the walls which joyne close to the mount Coelius, as farre as to the gate Asinaria. This hill then from thence lyeth along the citie wall for 4 Stadia, toward the Northeast. From hence the walls meet affront for the space of two Stadia, even to the gate Naevia: from whence as they turne to the Northeast, it is parted from the Esquiliae by the street Labicana: and anon shewing it selfe affront neere Saint Marcellines, it beareth forward as farre as to the Amphithe∣atre. Thus keeping no certeine forme, it taketh in circuit about 2500 paces. Moreover, the Coeliolus is enclosed within the said valley, the street Appia, and all along Northeast and Southeast, with the cittie walls; and hath in compasse well-neere a mile.

The Aventine seemeth to containe two hilles; the broader part whereof toward the Tyber, and in like manner in length from Tyber along the walles, and anon neere the gate Hostiensis, is divided and cut with a crooked street-way which leadeth to the angle of the grand Cirque, and

the mount Coelius: leaving the other part thereof, divided on the right hand from the mount Coe∣lius by the street Appia, untill you come to the gate Capena. It had in compasse 18 Stadia, as Di∣onysius also testifieth; and on the Southeast; a most spatious and large plaine of 4 unequall sides: toward the South containing almost sixe Stadia, VVestward five, somewhat lesse Eastward, but toward the Tyber not above foure.

The Esquiliae on the South part is divided with the street Labicana; on the Northwest, with the valley lying betweene Coelius, Palatinus, and it selfe; on the North, the Suburra; and from the Vi∣minall hill, the street called Patricius parteth it, untill a man come to the bath of Diocletian. In cir∣cuit it containeth about foure miles, and hath no certaine forme; in so much as Varro (not without good reason) thinketh it two hills, and cutteth it into many parts.

The Viminall hill on the VVest side regardeth the Quirinall, having about a furlong space the plaine Suburralying betweene: on the North it hath the valley Quirinalis. Betweene the same hills there lyeth as it were 4 jugera in breadth, but about a quarter of a mile in length. And anon it joy∣neth to the Quirinall and Esquiliae along the wall of the cittie, by a continuall row of many arches, whereby these mountains are made even. The compasse thereof taketh up two miles and an halfe; the forme thereof is longwise, and the breadth not in every part alike, but variable.

The Quirinall mount on the left hand, directly from the tower called [Militiarum] for the space of 4 Stadia, over-looketh the levell plot of the citie which lyeth VVestward: but on the right hand (as cleerely appeareth by that which we have said) it is opposite to the Viminalis: on the third side Northward, for the space of six Stadia, it lieth to the hill called [Hortulorum]. It hath a valley lying betweene, in breadth foure jugera, reaching neere to the gate Salaria: and in the whole compasse it taketh almost three miles.

Next to it is the little hill Hortulorum, although it standeth without the old pomaerie of the citie: for the space of 3 Stadia it beareth over the valley Martia, lying betweene it and Tyber. It carieth in length along the wall of the citie, from the gate Flumentana to Collina, a full mile more than any other sides. The circumference thereof, is much about 18 Stadia.

There remaineth now the mount Ianiculus, on the other side of Tyber: the one halfe thereof and not above, is conteined within the walls: from the Vatican Plaine, for the space of three Stadia, whereas it stretcheth toward the South, it adjoyneth to the river: the other part thereof is enclosed within the walls, for the compasse of five Stadia.

Moreover, above the Vatican plaine, there is a little hill of the same name, which putteth foorth two points like hornes; the one toward Ianiculum, the other Northward, much like a bow full bent: the convexitie or outward compasse whereof containeth a mile.

Now will we run over the plaine and base plot of the cittie: which beginning at the Capitoll hill neere the gate Flaminia, at this day on the Northeast side (or rather the North) comprehendeth a Diameter or race almost of 8 Stadia, environed with the hills Quirinalis and Hortulorum: but on the VVest side, the Tyber runneth by it, where along the bankes thereof it beareth a greater space. Moreover, by a streight and direct line being drawne for two Stadia from the hill Hortulo∣rum, and namely where it over-looketh the Pierce of Domitian called Naumachia: along the banke of Tyberis, over-against the Pile Hadriani, it maketh a quadrangle of foure uneven sides, contai∣ning within it more than three miles: without which square is left the valley Martia, namely as much as lieth between the hill Hortulorum, the wall of the citie, and Tyberis: so as the bredth draw∣eth narrower still unto the gate Flaminia.

There resteth yet the Transty berme region, which togither with the Ianiculum, taketh in com∣passe about 3 miles. This will be more easily observed and marked by the very channell of Tybe∣ris; which entring into the citie, keepeth his course directly on the right hand of the gate Flaminia through the vale Martia, and soone after by little and little turneth from the North, VVestward, and representeth the forme of a semicircle, in the convexitie whereof is the Vatican, and within the con∣cavitie, the Mars field. Moreover, beneath the Moles or pile [Hadriani] returning to his former course, as farre as to the utmost foot of the Aventine, winding somewhat crooked into the South, not farre from the gate Portuensis it runneth forth of the citie.

Thus much concerning the situation and forme of Rome, and the plot wherein it standeth, which at this day is so farre changed, that hardly a man may find any token or memoriall of it, as it was in old time.

CHAP. II. Of the founders of the citie of Rome, the KK. and inhabitants thereof.

THe region (on which Rome was after built) VVest of Tyber, a hundred and fortie fur∣longs distant from the sea, the Sicilians (by constant report) first inhabited. Afterwards, the Aborigines leaving Arcadia, by the conduct of Oenotrius the sonne of Lycaeon, came into the said quarters: and being growne into a liking of the place for the fertilitie thereof, they expelled

the Sicilians, and held it for their owne use. In processe of time the Pelasgians, a people of Greece, to∣gether with the Thessalians, who came to aid the Aborigenes against the nations their neighbor bor∣derers, remained also in these parts (with the good will and contentment of the said Aborigines) un∣till the Trojane warre: but they all retained the name of the Aborigines, which prerogative they held because they were the first, that by armes conquered that siegnorie and kingdome. Long time after, Saturne being chased out of Crete by Iupiter his son, fled into Italie: where he taught Iuanus the K. of the Aborigines the skil of planting vineyards, with the use therof, and likewise the handling of the sickle: in regard of which good turne, hee was freely feoffed by Iaunus in part of his realme, yea, and after the decease of Ianus enjoied the kingdome alone. After this, the Arcadians, who forlooke the citie Palan∣tium (as wearie of their owne native countrey) and by the leading of Evander, seeking some other place of habitation, arrived at the place where now Rome standeth; received of Faunus the king of the Aborigines, a portion of ground; built a fort upon a little hill not farre from Tyber, and named it Palantium, in remembrance of their native citie which they had abandoned. After all this, the Pelo∣p••nesians, Phanetians, and Epians, by reason that Elis their native countrey was wasted before by Hercules, wer by him brought away into Italie, & they planted themselves upon the mount Saturnine. These men lived a long time according to their owne lawes and customes, until they being vanqui∣shed and subdued by the Aborigines, were incorporated by them into one Communaltie. Then raig∣ned Latinus the sonne of Faunus, until such time as AEneas the sonne of Anthises, after the overthrow and finall ruine of Ilium, after many adventures and much varietie of fortune, which he had endured to∣gether with the Trojanes his companions, came by the instinct of the destinies to K. Latinus. VVhose daughter Lavinia hee tooke to wife, and so was by Latinus admitted into the societie and fellowship with him of the kingdome. VVhen the Aborigines and the Trojans were thus linked and joined to∣gether, hee called both nations by the name of Latines. Then was Aeneas warred upon by Turnus; for that he had married Lavinia, who was espoused & affianced to him before. But Aeneas wan the victorie, and in single combat slew Turnus. At that time also Latinus died, & left his sonne in law Aeneas heir to the crowne. Certaine yeeres after, was Aeneas killed by Mezentius king of the Tuscanes; and Ascanius his sonne succeeded in the kingdome. He built the townes Lavinium and Alba: and when hee departed this life, made over the crowne to his brother Sylvius. After him followed kings, Aeneas Sylvius, Latinus Sylvius, Alba, Atys, Capys, Capetus, Tyberinus, Agrippa, Romulus, Aventinus, Procas and Amulius. This Amulius usurped the kingdome by fraud, which in right of eldership was due to his brother Numitor. And for feare least there might arise from his brothers of-spring, some one to make claime and recover the roiall seat, and thereby himselve be thrust out of his place; the consecrated Rhea the daughter of Nu∣mitor to Vesta, for to bee a professed Nun. Shee being thus made a votarie, and devoted to perpetuall virginitie, happened to be with child by Mars, and was delivered of two botes, twins, namely Romu∣lus and Remus. Amulius advertised hereon, commaunded both the babes to bee cast foorth to perish. Found they were by Faustulus a shepheard upon the banke of the river Tyber, and by his wife Faustu∣lae fostered and brought up among other shepheards. Remus being grown to mans estate, was taken by certain theeves and robbers, and brought to K. Amulius his great-unckle. Accused he was, for that hee used to raise booties and drive away whole droves of Numitor his cattell. VVhereupon delivered hee was to Numitor for to bee punished according to his discretion. But Remus after much discourse of speeches to and fro, was by certaine tokens found and knowne to be Numitor his daughters son. And at the very time came Romulus also with Faustulus in place, purposing to rescue Remus his brother. Soon they entered into a conspiracie, and at unwares surprised and murdered Amulius: and so restored their grandsire Numitor. In the second yeere of Numitor his reign, Romulus and Remus built the citie of Rome, in the very place where they had been laid forth to perish, which was the 432 yeer after the winning of Troy, and the twelfth day before the calends of May. Afterwards in a tray that arose betweene Ro∣mulus and Remus striving for the soveraignetie, Remus came by his death, and then Romulus gave name both to the cittie and citizens also of Rome.

CHAP. III. The forme and bignesse of the citie of Romulus.

ROmulus set out the citie fouresquare, as Plutarch witnesseth: whereupon of some it is called Qua∣drata. Others affirme that the forme and compasse thereof is uncertaine, and by reason of An∣tiquitie unknowne at this day. The hill Palatinus was by Romulus first fortified, because therein he was brought up: at the foot whereof began the Pomoerium. Afterwards the Capitoll and the Ro∣mane Forum were laid to it.

The citie began to be marked and bounded out from the beast-market; from whence in certaine places were stones pitched and set between, along the bottome of the mount Palatine, as far as to the altar of Consus: and so within a while to the old Curiae: then, to the chappell of the Lares & the Roman Forum the bounds were extended, until a place was assigned for the wals, and a spatious plot to build the cittie upon.

Titus Tatius began the wall from the rocke Carmentalis, and brought it to the way, which is not farre from Tyber. From thence, Southward unto the farthest part of the grand cirque: and so North∣east ward hee raunged it into the Forum of Nerva, and in the end joined it to one of the points of the Capitoll hill, and within it compassed both the Capitoll itselfe, and also the Palatine. And finally to enlarge the citie, hee set to it the hils Quirinalis and Coelius.

CHAP. IIII. The gates of Romulus his citie.

ROmulus when he died, left the citie of Rome with three gates, namely Carmentalis, Romana, and Pandana. Others adde a fourth thereto, to wit, Ianualis.

Carmentalis took the name of Carmentis the mother of Evander, whose chappell Carmen∣tale stood before the gate. This gate stood under the Capitoll on the right hand, betweene the cliffe Tarpeius and the Tyber, over-against the church now of S. Katherine, toward the shew place Flaminius. This was afterwards named Scelerata, for that without this gate, in the temple of Lanus, the act of Senate passed, for the sending of the three hundred Fab\̄y to Cremera: who went foorth at this gate, and were slaine every one at Cremera.

Romana was so called of Romulus: built it was where now the gardens are belonging to the new church of S. Marie, not farre from the angle of the mount Palatine, in the bottome of the cliffe of Vi∣ctoria. Some affirme, that this gate was afterwards called Mugonia, of the loowing of kine and oxen: others name it Trigonia of three corners that it had.

Pandana was so cleped, because it stood open for things to bee brought through it into the cittie. The same was called Libera or Romulida. The place for it they assigned where the gate Saturnia stood, bearing the name of the old citie, so called and after destroied.

Ianualis carried the name of the temple of Ianus, which is not far off. It stood sometime at the very foot of the hill Viminalis.

CHAP. V. The varietie of the compasse and walls of the citie.

VVHen the Romans one while made warre upon their neighbor nations of Italie, and other∣whiles defended themselves against their violence, it hapned for the most part that they got the upper hand, and ever as they vanquished any and subdued them under their sub∣jection, in the end made them cittizens of Rome: by which occasion, the cittie built by Romulus, was not sufficient to receive so great a multitude. Tullus therefore after his conquest of the Sabines and Albanes, laid to the citie the mountain Coelius and the Esquiliae, & so enlarged it. After∣wards, when Politorium was woon, and a number of the inhabitants translated to Rome; Ancus made a second enlargement of the citie, and granted these new commers the mount Aventine to inhabite. The old Romanes therfore dwelt in Palatine; the Sabines in Capitolium; the Albanes in Coelius; and this new-come multitude in Aventine. But after the Latines also were received into the citie, they joined Ianiculus also to the citie by a wodden bridge made over the Tyber; and cast a trench called Fossa Quiritium, about the low & levell places of the citie. So the Trans-tyberine quarter was united to the citie, & made it more spatious & stately: last of all, Servius Tullius by adjoining the hils Vimina∣lis and Quirinalis to the five abovenamed, amplified the cittie. And whereas before it was mounded about with rubbish, and the same rudely laid, Tarquin the prowd was the first that enclosed it with a wall of good ashler stone. And the very same walls which stand at this day, were by the posteritie that followed, repaired and reedified upon the old foundations. But the cittie in old time, when as it flourished in greatest glorie, extended farre more in bounds and compasse. For in Flinies time the circuit therof within the wall contained about 20 miles. But in these daies hardly 12. And the whole compasse of the citie, with the suburbes and buildings about and without the walls (which although they spreadfar, were comprehended yet under the name of citie) in the said Plinies time, was 50 miles.

CHAP. VI. The Pomoerie of the citie

THat void space of ground within and without the walls, which might not lawfully bee either plowed or inhabited, is called Pomaerie. And sometime it is put for the circuit of the whole ci∣tie. This Pomoerie was often times set out farther, and altered by the Roman emperours. But none had power graunted so to doe, save only they that either conquered somewhat to the Romane dominion, or endowed the citie with some singular and especiall benefit; as the emperor Claudius and many more. And like as the Romanes had no certain limits of their empire, so no set bounds confined either the citie or the Pomoerie.

CHAP. VII. The gates of old Rome, which at this day are not to be seene: those also that are now extant.

EVen as the bounds of the citie and Pomaerium were many times altered, so the gates also; some were left within the citie, by occasion that the walls were farther set out and lost their names: others in time were so old, that they fell downe; and albeit their name remaine, yet the place where they stood is not knowne. Some againe were made new, and tooke either new names; or else kept their old: others changed the place, and held their old name: and finally, there were some that had two names; and others, more. And these in manner were all the names of the gates:

• Flumentana, or Flaminia.
• Numentana, or Viminalis.
• Esquilina, or Taurina.
• Capena, or Appia.
• Tergemina, or Hostiensis.
• Ratumena, or Vientana.
• Quirinalis, Agonensis, or Collina.
• Ianualis, or Sabiusa, leading into the Sabines countrey.
• Noevia, or Labicana.
• Coelimontana, or Asinaria.
• Portuensis, or Navalis.
• Triumphalis, or Vaticana.

Carmentalis, Magonia, Pandana, QuerquetuIana, Raduscula, Saginalis, Saucualis, Collatina, In∣teraggeres, Tiburtina, Gabiusa, Latina, Aurelia, Catularia, Laurentia, Fontinalis, Lavernalis, Feren∣tina, Minutia, Salutaris, Mutia, Piacularis, Prenestina, Libitinesis, Valeria, and Tarpeia.

Flumentana, tooke name of the river Tyberis; for it stood at the first upon the banke of that river, not far from the bridge of Xystus, in the end of the Broad street, and at the head of the way or street Flaminia: but afterwards, translated it was to the place where now it standeth. In time following, it was called Flaminia, of the causey of Flaminius: at this day it is named, The peoples gate, and is situ∣ate in the hill Hortulorum.

Collatina, bare the name of Collatia, a towne not farre from Rome: now it is Pinciana, of one Pincius a Senator, whose name it keepeth. This also standeth in the hill Hortulorum: between it and Flumentana is a mile space.

Quirinalis tooke name of the chappell of Quirinus: or because in old time the way lay through it, for them that went to the hill Quirinalis. It seemeth to be called Agonensis, quasi 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i. without a cor∣ner; afterwards, Collina: and at the last, Salaria; for that by it, salt was caried into the citie. This name it holdeth still, and standeth 6 Stadia from Collatina.

Viminalis is from Quirinalis distant 5 Stadia; so eleped as they say, of a wood of osiers, which (as it is supposed) sometime grew thereby: or else, of a chappell of Iup. Vunineus: This also men called Fi∣gulensis, of the potters workes made without it: but now they name it the gate of S. Agues, and Nu∣mentana.

Interaggeres standeth in the Plaine Viminalis, betweene the gate Viminalis and Esquilina: it had the denomination of Tarquinius his mures and bankes, among which it was built.

Tiburtina, stood between Esquilina and Numentana, so as it was 12 Stadia distant from Esquilina, upon the plaine of Esquiliae, in the verie place where the conduit is of the Marie water.

Esquilina, tooke that name of the hill Esquiliae: the same in auncient time was called Taurina, of a bulls head there found: for many a day after was the said bulles head seene painted in the inner front of the said gate. At this day, S. Laurence gate.

Noevia drew the name of certaine * 1.2 groves or woods neere adjoyning. In times past Labicana, and now Major. An arch there was so called, and erected in the same place by the old Romanes.

Coelimontana, standing from Naevia 8 Stadia, seemeth by affinitie of name to be so called of the hill Coelius, in the edge wherof it standeth: and Asinaria it was called, of the Asses which were woont to be sent out to Naples, by that gate. At this time they call it S. Iohns gate.

Gabiosa, built close to the mount Coelius, Southeast: which seemeth by all likelihood to take the name of the cittie Gabij, which it directly regardeth. It carried the name also Metrodium, of mea∣suring, and is situate from Coelimontana, as it were 5 Stadia.

Latina is 5 Stadia likewise from Gabiusa, seated not farre from the church of S. Iohn Baptist: so cal∣led, for that men goe forth of it into Latium.

Capena is so named of the Capenates, a Latine nation, against which it lyeth. This also is called still Camoena, of a grove and chappell of the Muses, built just before the same gate. Appia likewise, of the high-way Appia; which Appius the Censor paved, and so it bare his name. They call it also Triumphalis, for that in triumph the pompe is that way carried with state. Of some it is named Fon∣tinalis, for the plentie of springs there. At this day S. Sebastians gate.

Tergemina tooke that name of an old gate so called, at which the 3 twinnes Horatij went forth against their enemies, and gave the first name to it. Some shew remaineth yet of this gate to be seen, neere the Salinae.

Hostiensis, was in auncient daies so called, for that it led to the citie Hostia: now S. Paules gate: situate it is from Capena weel-neere 8 Stadia.

Portuensis is a gate beyond the Tyber, within halfe a Stadium of the said river; so called, for that it leadeth to the haven of Hostia. Now a daies men call it, Poria ripae, i. The banke gate.

Aurelia, looketh toward Ianiculum; distant from the former almost 7 Stadia. In this age they call it S. Pancrace gate.

Aaelia, was built by Aelius Hadrianus, of whome it tooke that name.

Septimiana, bare the name of Septimius the Emperour: and because it standeth under Ianiculum, is at this day called, Subtus Ianum. Some affirme, that this is Fontinalis, because out of the mount called Aureus, there issue fountaines: for to the said hill this gate standeth close. From it to Aurelia are 5 Stadia; and to the river Tyber 7 jugera or acres.

Thus much for the gates of the citie of Rome, and their names.

The wall in old time had upon it 360 turrets. Some of these are decaied and gone; others repai∣red, and many this long time are ready to fall.

NOw is it time, and the course of the Storie doth require, that leaving the towres and walls, wee enter into the cittie, and shew the beginning and the place of those edifices, which within the walls, either upon the hills or the plaine plot of the citie, were built by men in old time. First there∣fore begin we will at the worthiest earthly habitation of all their gods, to wit, the Capitoll.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Stadia.
• * 1.2

  Nemoribus.