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

CHAP. XXV. The court or Forum Archimonium: the pillar Tiburtina: the house of Martial: the Cirque of Floralia: the temple of Flora: the shops of Minium, and the com∣mon ascent called Clivus Publicus.

BEtweene the hill Hortulorum (where of yee may read before in the first booke and the chap∣ter next following) and Quirinalis, there is a valley fouresquare, but lying out somewhat in length. In that part thereof which lieth under the mount of Clatra and Apollo, was the court cal∣led Archimonium. For the very church of S. Nicholas, which at this day standeth upon that place, is named De Archimonijs.

Not far from it there is another place, to wit, Pila Tiburtina: There stood the house of Martiall, as hee himselfe witnesseth.

Next to it followeth the round Cirque (Floralium) where yeerly to the honor of the goddesse Flora,

the feastivall Floralia is celebrated. Now this Flora was a famous courtizan or strumpet at Rome, who having by her whorish trade gathered a mightie deale of goods together, in her last will made the people of Rome her heire, with this condition, That every yeer they should celebrate the memo∣riall of her birth day. But the Senate thinking this a ridiculous mockerie, to honour and dignifie so filthie a thing with such a remembrance, they devised a goddesse of floures forsooth, called Flora, and her upon those holydaies they seemed to please and content, that shee would be good to the growth of trees and corne, and that they might doe well in their flouring and blouming time. To this god∣desse, wee read that a temple likewise was consecrated. Anon you meet with the workehouses where they make Minium, i. Vermilion. Neere unto which was the Clivus Publicus.