Sect. 5. Of the River Tiber.
To restrain the exorbitant overflow∣ings of this stream, which was not a lit∣tle choakt with dung and several old buildings that had fallen into it; I find, m 1.1 that Augustus Caesar bestowed some cost in the clearing and scouring of it: And that after this, through n 1.2 abun∣dance of rain, the low grounds about the City, suffering much by great inun∣dations thereof, the remedy in prevent∣ing the like for the future, was, by the Emperour Tiberius, committed to the care of Ateius Capito, and L. Aruntius. Whereupon it was by them discussed in the Senate, Whether for the moderating the floods of this River, the Streams and Lakes, whereby it increased, should be turned another way: But to that pro∣posal there were several objections made from sundry Cities and Colonies; the Florentines desiring, that the Clanis might not be put out of it's accustomed Chanel, and turned into the River Ar∣nus, in regard much prejudice would thereby befall them. In like manner did the Inhabitants of Terano argue; af∣firming, that if the River Nar should but cut into smaller streams, the over∣flowings thereof would surround the most fruitful grounds of Italy. Neither were those of Reate (a City in Um∣bria) silent, who refused to stop the pas∣sage of the Lake Uelinus, (now called Lago de Terni) into the said River Nar. The businesse, therefore, finding this op∣position, was let alone. After which, Nerva or Trajan attempted o 1.3 likewise, by a Trench, to prevent the fatal inun∣dations of this River; but without suc∣cesse.