Page:The geography of Strabo (1854) Volume 1.djvu/365

 B. v. c. in. 9. ITALY. LATIUM. ROME. 351 the summits of the hills beyond the Tiber, extending from its banks with panoramic effect, present a spectacle which the eye abandons with regret. Near to this plain is another sur- rounded with columns, sacred groves, three theatres, an amphitheatre, and superb temples in close contiguity to each other ; and so magnificent, that it would seem idle to describe the rest of the city after it. For this cause the Romans, esteem- ing it as the most sacred place, have there erected funeral monu- ments to the most illustrious persons of either sex. The most remarkable of these is that designated as the Mausoleum, 1 which consists of a mound of earth raised upon a high founda- tion of white marble, situated near the river, and covered to the top with ever-green shrubs. Upon the summit is a bronze statue of Augustus Caesar, and beneath the mound are the ashes 2 of himself, his relatives, and friends. Behind is a large grove containing charming promenades. In the centre of the plain, 3 is the spot where this prince was reduced to ashes ; it is surrounded with a double enclosure, one of marble, the other of iron, and planted within with poplars. If from hence you proceed to visit the ancient forum, which is equally filled with basilicas, porticos, and temples, you will there behold the Capitol, the Palatium, with the noble works which adorn them, and the piazza of Livia, each successive place causing you speedily to forget what you have before seen. Such is Rome. 9. Of the other cities of Latium., some are distinguished by a variety of remarkable objects, others by the celebrated roads which intersect Latium, being situated either upon, or near to, or between these roads, the most celebrated of which are the Via Appia, the Via Latina, and the Via Valeria. The former of these bounds the maritime portion of Latium, as far as Sinuessa, the latter extends along Sabina as far as the Marsi, whilst between these is the Via Latina, which falls in with the Via Appia near to Casilinum, 4 a city distant from Capua 5 19 stadia. The Via Latina commences from the Via Appia, branching from it towards the left, near to Rome. It passes over the Tusculan mountain, between the city of Tusculum 6 and Mount Albanus ; it then descends to the little city of Algidum, 7 and the Pictae tavern ; afterwards the Via ' The tomb of Augustus. 2 Qrjicai, urns, Greek. 3 The Campus Martius. 4 The modern Capua. 5 S. Maria di Capoa. 6 Tuscolo. " L'Osteria deli' Aglio.