CHAP. XIII. The porch, the Temple, Columne, and Pallace of Antoninus Pius: the railes or enclosure, called Ovilia.
BEtweene the Sciarra and Pantheon streets, neere to Saint Stephens Church in Trullio, there sheweth a stately porch, which most men suppose was that of Antoninus Pius, for that his tem∣ple standeth so neere. The Columne also of Antoninus is not farre off. This hee raised of an ex∣ceeding height with winding and turning staires, like that of Trajanus, whereof wee have spoken before. Between this Columne and the porch or gallerie, the said emperour had (by report) a good∣ly pallace. Betweene the said Columne and the water Virgo, they say, the railes or enclosure within Mars field stood, called Septa. Now this place was enclosed within woodden railes, and strongly fen∣sed with posts on every side, wherein the people of Rome when at the creation and election of ma∣gistrates they were to passe their voices, were kept close: and for the resemblance of sheepe pennes, Ovilia of some they were called. By Livie they are set down, neere the waies Fornicata and Flaminia.