CHAP. XXII. The temples of Saturne, the Sunne, and Bacchus: Quirinus his temple and porch: the old Capitoll: the chappels of Iupiter, Iuno, and Minerva: the house of Pomponius Atticus.
IN the Cornelian street (whereof a little before wee made mention) were two gyant-like images, called Colossi, resembling two old men, naked, and holding Cornucopiae in their hand. It is common∣ly received, that these were the statues of Saturne and Mars; for that certain it is how their temples stood hard by: and many evidences there are, besides the verie ruines thereof, which testifie so much.
Over-against the hot-houses of Constantine, upon the very brow of the hill, there standeth to be seene one halfe of a marble tower, which the people dwelling therby, call * Mesa. This, men thinke, was the tower of the Sunne, by the ornaments there reared and set up by Aurelian: for this Emperor worshipped the Sunne above all other gods; and therefore you shall see stamped in his come this inscription; SOLI INVICTO, TO THE INVINCIBLE SUNNE. His mother also, a priest of the Sunne, thereupon reared a temple unto the Sunne.
In the side of the hill neere the foresaid bathes, are two horses seene standing; the handy-worke of Praxiteles and Phidias. These were (by report) Tivid•••••• the kings, and translated to Rome.
That part of the Quirinalis which boundeth upon Vallis Martia, was called the mount and tem∣ple of Clatra and Apollo.
Not farre from thence, behind this hill, there is another rising and ascent; where, by antique let∣ters it is evident, that the old Capitoll stood, togither with the chappell of Iupiter, Iuno, and Minerva.
Over-against these places, enclining toward the right hand, where now standeth the church of Saint Vestalis, Pomponius Atticus dwelt in an house which came to him by inheritance from his grand∣sire, and was called Pamphiliana. They write, that this was a most sweete and pleasant seat, by rea∣son of a wood neere unto it.
In the same place was built afterwards the temple of Quirinus, kept alwaies shut, to signifie that it was an unknowne secret; whether Romulus were enterred and lay in the earth, or were translated into the number of the gods in heaven.
There was a porch or walking place there of that name; where folke used commonly to meet, to dispatch businesses and contract espousals.