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THe Romane Forum, which also is called Latinum, began at the foot of the Capitoll, and rea∣ched in length to the Church now of Saint Marie the new, which is in Velia. But at the first,
the circuit and bounds thereof were much narrower. For from the head therof abovenamed; it went no farther than the neerest foot of the mount Palatine. Many a yeere after, Augustus Caesar enlar∣ged it.
The Comitium joined to the Forum, or rather it was a part thereof: for it beginneth at the gate of Palatium, and endeth at the church of S. Marie the new.
At the foot of the Capitoll hill, South-east-ward, Ancus Martius built a prison for malefactors to be laid up in. After him king Tullius adjoined to it that part which is under the ground, and called that dungeon, Tullianum. Made it was of huge & mighty big stones, with narrow long holes, for to receive the shadow as it were and resemblance of a sight. The dungeon within was vaulted with stone, ug∣ly for darkenesse, and loathsome by reason of a strong and s••••king sent. This whole prison was divi∣ded into two parts, the upper rowme and the nether. Carcer it was called in Latine a coercendo, because it kept them there enclosed from comming forth. 〈…〉〈…〉.
Iust before this prison there lieth a huge marble-idoll which they call Marforie Some think it was the image of the bakers god, others, of Iupiter surnamed Panatius; of the tumours that beare out, like to loaves of bread. For the Romanes in times past, when they were besieged by the Gauls in the Ca∣pitoll, had warning by Iupiter in a dreame, to make bread of all the corne that they had left, and to throw it into the enemies campe. VVhere by the Gaules despairing that the Romanes could possi∣bly be tamed with hunger, brake up the siege. VVhereupon the Romans in perpetuall memoriall of this benefit, erected an altar and a statue to Iupiter Pistor.
This image is thought to be the resemblance of the river Rhenus in Germanie; because it is upon a rocke. But why it should bee called Marforium, I know not, unlesse it bee because it standeth in the Forum of Augustus.