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

L

L. Lucius. The forename of manie Ro∣manes.

Latina, sc. seria, Certaine holy daies Conceptiva, i: appointed by the Priest or magistrate, as oc∣casion required, and not set feasts. The solem∣nitie was published and held by the Romane Consuls newly created, upon the mount Al∣banus to Iupiter Latialis: and a sacrifice was there offered which they call Latar, for the health of the Latine people: at which, the ma∣ner was to give a dole of flesh called Visceratio to the Latine States.

Lestisterne, is in some sort declared in the fift and two and twentie bookes of T. Livius, and is as much to say, as the solemne ceremonie of trimming and setting out a bed, not for re∣pose but repast, according to the ancient man∣ner: wherein they laid the images of their gods, reared upon boulters and pillows: the principall whereof was that in the honour of Iupiter at the Epulum sovis, whereupon Iupiter was laid, Iuno and Minerva sitting of either side by him.

Lectus is usually to be understood in Livie for the bed whereupon they laid themselves at ease when they tooke their refection, and Tricli∣nium is taken for Conclave, i. the parlour where they were woone to sup, because the usuall manner was to set three such beds or pallets together: (wherof the roume had the name) and a table raised somewhat higher from the floore, & placed so, as it served all three pal∣lets, and was open at one side for the servi∣tours to come unto it, and either set meat thereupon, or to minister what was called for. Vpon each of these beds there sate or leaned ordinarily three persons: so as nine was the fulnūber of guests at the bourd, according to the rule, NO FEVVER THAN THE GRA∣CES, NOR MORE THAN THE MUSES. FOR Horace in this verse, Sape tribus lectis vide as canare quaternos, seemeth to glaunce at the niggar∣dise of him that would rather want meat than guests, and so set twelve at the table which was but for nine, wherby also they were pent up together too streight.

Legati, are usually taken for Embassadours sent from one prince or State to another. Also for Lieutenants in an armie, having the charge of a legion under the Generall, and in his ab∣sence, the charge and command of all. VVho likewise were sent as Nuntioes or messengers of credence from the Generals in the field, to make true report unto the Senat, of the suc∣cesse

of their affaires. Moreover, they are of∣tentimes put for deputed-delegates, or com∣missioners assistant to the Cos. or L. Generall, in matters of state; having their principall di∣rections from the Senat, but commission to deale in the particulars after their owne dis∣cretion: much like to those that bee called Legati a latere.

Libitina, the goddesse of funerals; and after a sort, the superintendent over sepultures; sup∣posed to be Venus Epitymbia. In whose temple were all things to be sold necessarie for the interring and burial of the dead. VVherupon they also who were emploied to carrie forth and burie corpses, were called Libitinarij as well as Vespillones; in Greeke 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and It is put for death in Horace when he saith, Non omnis moviar, magnaque pars mei, Vitabit Libitinam: and in Livie, as well for the ministers as furniture to sepultures belōging. The chap∣pell to this goddesse stood without the cittie, and a gate there was Libitinensis, at which they carried foorth their dead. For at Rome they might not cōmonly burie or burn a dead corps within the citie, unlesse it were upon a special priviledge: & the law of 12 tables pro∣vided therefore in these expresse words, IN URBE NON SEPELITO NEVE URITO: but in some barren part of their land, each man bestowed the ashes or bodies of their dead. The practise whereof is evident by ma∣ny examples in histories; and at this day are monuments standing of their tombes reared neere the great causey Appia, and elsewhere about Rome. The consideration hereof; with some other circumstances of a place in the 3 booke of Livie, gave me occasion haply to translate amisse. There happened to bee a great mortalitie in Rome and the territorie about it, not onely of men but of cattlel also; at what time as the Volscians and Aequians were encamped within three miles of Rome, with a purpose to give the assault to the citie; but they were suddainly stricken with a feare that they durst not approach neere, testaque procul visa arque imminentes tumuli avertere mentem corum, &c. where I have englished imminentes tumuli, tombes and graves neere at hand, in opposition of testa urbis [Romena] procul visa: and the rather, because it presently followeth, In deserio agro, inter tabem perorum atque bominum: where tumuli, may well be put for tombes and monuments; and [imminentes] neere at hand: as Livie and others doe take those words. But if any man would have it meant rather of the 7 hils of Rome commaunding and overloo∣king those houses aforesaid, I will not be a∣gainst it, but rather my 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 shall go with him: and pardon me I hope he will, if ei∣ther there or elsewhere I have seemed to nod and take a little nap, Namque opere in longo fas est obrepere somnum: seeing that I have taken my selfe in the manner, and not slept untill my neighbour awaked me.

Lictours, in Livie, are ministers or sergeants atten∣ding upon the magistrates of Rome; name∣ly, Dictatours, Consuls, Pretours: for those only were called somtime magistrates 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as superiour to the rest: so called (as Fe∣ctus thinketh) quod fasces virgarum ligatos serant, for that they carried rods tied up in bundels; which rods were of birch, willow, hazell, or the Carpine tree, [a kind of Plane or Maple] and within them stuck an axe, all to signifie whipping & death. These officers made way before those magistrates, and were ministers also of the execution.

Lituus, was the Augurs staffe, much like a bishops croisier, crooked at the end.