part of men therein are imployed in Learning and Arms. The Arms of this Province is or four pales gu a Dolphin proper in his mouth a Cressent argent The original of the which Arms was in the year 1481. At the time that Alfonsus of Aragon Duke of Calauria the son of Ferdinando the first King of Naples drove away the Turks from the city of Otronto and other places whereupon the men of this Province willing to shew that great service which the King had done for them in delivering them from the hands of the wicked Tyrant Mahumet the second Emperor of the Turks for this cause devised the said Arms declaring by the four pales gu in the field or the Arms of the King Fardinando of Aragon The Dolphin was no new invention but very ancient for so much as the monuments declare that the Dolphin with Neptune were the proper ensignes of the country of the Salentini but only they added the half-moon in the mouth of the Dolphin noting thereby that the new Seigniory which the Tyrant Mahumet endeavoured to hold in this worthy Province was by the care and diligence of the valiant Alfonsus and the vertue of the Inhabitants thereof taken from him The Countrey of BARY The eighth Province of the Kingdom of NAPLES THe fertile and fruitfull Province of the Country of Bary was in old time called Apulia Pucetia of Pucetio the brother of Enotrio and son of Licaone which with many followers departed from Greece 375 years before the Wars of Troy and setled themselves in this place the which people were sometimes called Pucetii and sometimes Pedicoli and were the first men sent out of Greece to dwell elsewhere Also the said people which inhabited between the Territory of Taranto Brindesi and the River Aufido were named Etoli of Etolia of Greece the people whereof came into these places to inhabit as certain Writers affirm the Pediculi being droven from thence remained therein What these Pediculi were Strabo declares in his sixth book and Pliny in the third and say that they were nine youths and as many wenches which departed from Illiria and here inhabited from whom descended 13 people and to the end they might dwell the more securely built many Castles and were called Pediculi that is to say boys or children At this present it is called the Land of Bary from the city of Bary anciently called Iapigia and Baretum the head of this Province in the which city in a stately church wherein with great reverence is preserved the body of St. Nicholas sometimes Bishop of Licia from whom continually issueth as is said a certain liquor called by the Citizens Manna which is an admirable thing and the Priests which have the keeping thereof use to bestow on those that come thither little viols of glass full of the said Manna The said Church is served by a hundred beneficed Priests The bounds of this Province was according to Strabo and Pliny from the Territory of Taranto and of the Brindesi along unto the River Fortoro from thence by the Mount Gargano and towards the Adriatick Sea or rather Ionian according to Ptolomy even to the Lucani and the Irpini and the Sanniti and so the said bounds have on the South the Salentini Lucani and Irpini on the North the coast of Ionian and Adriatick on the West the River Fortoro the limit of the Caraceni and Ferrentani now called Abruzzo The goodness and fertility of this Province is very great for it yields Grain Wine Oyl Barley Beans Fitches Annis Comin Coriander Saffron and Bombace There are great Woods of Almons and Olives so bigg-bodied and so high that it seems that nature hath brought them forth as a wonder unto men And to be brief so great is the difference of these Trees from those which grow elsewhere as is between the wild Olives and those which are planted and also of the greatness of the bodies and their admirable height with the fashion of their boughs whereupon the Ancients have said that they were dedicated to Minerva and have also feigned that in these places was hanged Filida the Nymph and is no less plentifull of Oringes Limons and other the like fruitfull Trees as well for the benefit of living creatures as for pleasure besides there is excellent hunting both for fowls and also wild beasts The Sea thereof hath great store of good fishes the air is very chearfull and temperate but the waters are otherwise for they are gross and brackish There are on the side of the Sea these Cities and Countrys following Barletta of later Latinists called Barolum a worthy City rich and full of people built by the inhabiters of Canusio but inlarged by the Emperor Frederick the second In the midst of the Market-place of this noble City is a great Statue of Mettal of ten yards high of the Emperor Frederick although the Barletani affirm that it is the Image of the Emp. Heraclio nevertheless the first opinion is truest There is also a very strong castle which is accounted one of the four that are so famous in Italy Presently follows the fair city of Trany named by Pliny Trinium built by Terreno the son of Diomides and repaired by the Emperor Trajan Hard by is Molfetta a city full of civility which with the title of a Prince is possest by the Lord Don Ferrant Gonzaga chief Justicer in the Kingdom Nicolo sirnamed of Giovenazzo companion of St. Dominick gave the name to this City to whom was revealed the manner of conveying his bones as is to be read in the book of the famous men of the Order of Preachers Walking along we come to Mola Saint Vito Polignano St. Stefano and Villanova Farther within the land are these cities Monopoli built by the ruines of Egnatia to which City hath grown great honour by Bartholomeo Sibilla of the Order of Preachers an excellent Philosopher and Divine and Câ—millo Querno a singular Poet who lived in the time of Pope Leo Ostuno Ceglie Conversano Gioia Rotigliano Altamura Acquaviva Cassano Monorvino Modugno Terlizzi Rutigliano Quarato Pulignano and Biseglia called in old time Vigile a noble city and full of Traffick wherein was found the bodies of St. Mauro Bishop of Sergio and Pantaleone martyred for the Christian faith being revealed to Francesco del Balzo d' Andri Lord of this city who caused them to be put with great reverence in an honourable Sepulchre from which riseth as they say continually a precious liquor called Manna After follows Bitetto Ruvo and Gravina a great city very fair and civil the which with the title of a Duke is anciently possest by the worthy Family Orsina Don Antonio Orsâ—no is the present Duke thereof a young man which is very likely to imitate the honourable steps of Duke Ferrant his father of worthy memory And the said Gravina was the Garner and Store-house of Puglia for the inestimable quantity of corn which was gathered in
from whence all the country took its name These people were also called Marruvii of Virgil when in his seventh book he saith Quin Marruvia venit de gente sacerdoâ— The which words Servio declaring saith that they were the people Maruvii which inhabited neer the Lake Fucino as it were Inhabiters about the Sea so called for the greatness of the Lakes which were in those dayes although others affirm it was so named by Marro their King the companion of Marsia And the said Servio saith that Medea which followed Iason came at length into Italy and taught certain people which inhabited neer the Lake Fucino the way to charm Snakes and Serpents with words and likewise shewed the remedies against the venom of these creatures whereupon it was by these called Medea Angitia as if it vexed and afflicted the Serpents with their charms the which people were also named Agnitii of which Virgil in his seventh book thus saith Et Marsis quaesitae in montibus herbae Te nemus Angnitiae vitrea te Fucinus unda Pliny saith that in his time this generation of Marsi also continued descended as he supposed from the son of Cerces and therefore had this vertue against Serpents Guilio Capitolino writeth that the Emperour Heliogabolus gathered a great company of Serpents with the incantations of the Marsi the which he caused on the sudden to be thrown in the place where the people assembled to see their publique sports whereupon many being bitten fled with great terror Neither is it to be held as a fable which is written of these Incantations because the Prophet David singing his Psalms makes a similitude of the deaf Adder which stoppeth his ears to avoid inchantments And St. Augustine expounding it saith That that similitude was meant of the Marso which maketh his charm to draw the Adder out of his dark obscure hole into the perfect light and the serpent which loveth darknesse to avoid the sound of the charm which he knoweth will inforce him layeth one of his ears to the ground because he would not hear and the other he covereth with his tail Livy writing the wars of Italy beginneth from the Marsi calling it Marsica and among the people that rebelled against the Romans here he nameth the Marruci and the Marsi and in another place saith that the Marsi being overcome by L. Murena and Cecilio Pina desired peace of Silla In the which war M. T. Cicero being a follower and fighting therein grew into so great a mislike of the Romans cruelty that he utterly abandoned his military profession and wholly imployed his time to the study of learning Whereupon it so fell out that Rome had yet a wit comparable to the greatnesse thereof Silio Italico speaking of the Marsi thus saith Marsorum novit terra gens nota per omnes Et bellare manu chelydris cantare saporem Vipereumque herbis hebetare carmine dentem Aeaetae prolem Angitiam mala gramina primam Monstravissae ferunt tactuque domare venena Et lunam excussisse polo stridoribus amnes Frenantem ac sylvis montes undasse vocatis Sed populis nomen posuit metuentior bospes Quum fugeret Phrygios trans aequora Martiarenos Migdoniam Phochi superatus pectine loton Marruvium veteris celebratum nomine Marri Vrbibus est ille caput interiorque per udos Alba sedet campos pomisque rependit aristas Caetera in obscuro famae sine nomine vulgi Sed numero castella valent milite forti Now ten miles distant from Tagriacozzo is the fishy Lake of Celano or rather of Alba or of Marsi named by Strabo the Lake Fucinus and likewise of other writers the which for the length thereof seemeth as a Sea being thirty miles in compass and hath in it great plenty of fish and excellent fowling for Mallards Wygens wild Geese Swans and Moor-hens There is in this Lake a fish according to Pliny which hath eight pair of fins all other fishes besides having but four The water of this Lake was brought to Rome by Martio being Edile whereupon by his name it was called the water Martia which was reputed the best water of all the conduits in Rome Gallano a grave writer reherseth that in the said Lake was drowned Archippa a very goodly city which was builded by Marsia King of the Lidi And Suetonius writeth that the Emperor Claudius maintained eleven years continually 30000 men to damm up the said Lake There entreth into the said Lake the River Giovenco and runneth upon the water to be discerned in such manner that as it cometh in running upon it so it returns without mingling it self therewith as Pliny testifieth and Vibio Sequestre by whom it is named Pitornius thus saith Pitornius fluvius per medium lacum Fucinum Marsorum ita decurrit ut aqua ejus non misceat stagno Round about it are these castles Paterno Transaco S. Apetito Giaiano Avezzano S. Iona Magliano Celano is under the title of a Count very rich and a populous country and the bounds of the country of the Latines There was of this country as is read in the book of the conformity of St. Frances in the rubrick de Provincia Pennensi St. Thomas which writ the first legend of St. Frances and composed the sequence of the dead which was sung in the Mass that is Dies irae dies illa Solvet seclum in favilla c This city was destroyed by the Footmen of the Emperor Frederick the second King of Naples because the citizens thereof were confederate with Otho Duke of Saxony yet it continued not long but the said citizens newly repaired it Three miles distant from the Lake upon a high hill towards the Apennine appears the ancient ruines of the city of Alba of Marsi which was made a colony of the Romans at the same time with Sora whither were brought six hundred inhabitants L. Genutio and Servilio Cornelio being Consuls as Livy declareth This city was one of the twelve colonies that refused to aid the Romans in the time of Hannibal This city was accounted by Pliny in the fourth Region wherefore Silio maketh mention in the eight after this manner Alba sedet campos pomisque rependit aristas From Alba four miles distant at the foot of the hils is Cesa a little castle the natural place of Pietro Marso a man very learned as his works do well testifie and especially his commentaries made upon Silio Italico And going up certain miles into the region of the Pregutini is the river Castellano which descendeth from a valley of the Apennine named the valley Castellana and runneth for a little space towards Ascolo and after a while endeth in Tronto which compasseth the said city on the other side Strabo Pliny and Ptolomy placeth the city of Ascolo in Piceno but to me it seemeth better to account the said city in this present Province of Abruzzo on the
Church and a Monastery of Carthusian Monks under the name of St. Martin the other Church of St. Hermo stands within the Castle which was builded by Charls the first of Angio King of Naples for a defence and guard of the said City The said Castle was newly fortified by the Emperor Charls the fifth All this Hill is beautified with goodly buildings and other worthy edifices this pleasant Hill yieldeth excellent Wines which are much commended by Galen 5 Salubrium 1 de antid and Martial in Xenia speaking of the Wine Trifolino thus saith Non sum de primo fateor Trifolina Lyaeo Inter vina tamen septima vitis aero It is called the Hill Trifolino by reason of the three-leafed grass which growes there very plentifully Tifata is a Hill which lies above Capoa whereof Sillio speaketh Tifata umbrisico generatum monte Calenum Titus Livius likewise nameth it in the seventh and twentisixth book describing that Hannibal departing from the Brutii came into these places to relieve Capoa besieged by Q. Fulvius and Appius Claudius the Roman Consuls and pitcht his Camp in a Valley but a little distant from the said Hill with the greatest part of his Army and with 30 Eliphants Vesevo or Vesuvio is a hil that stands over against Naples and opposite to the Pompeians divided on every side with high hils and hath at the foot thereof round about many pleasant Woods but in the top is very dreadfull hideous and unpassable in the midst whereof is a great hole made with fire which seems as a Theatre digged even out of the bowels of the Hill from whence in old time did ascend great abundance of fire Of these flames Beroso the Caldean in his fifth book of Antiquities maketh mention saying that in the last year of the King Arli the 7 King of the Assirians the said Hill burned Suetonius in the life of Titus saith that in the time of the said Emperor it yielded also great abundance of fire Of the like fire in the same manner relateth Dion the Greek the said fire burned two Cities that stood near unto it that is to say Erculanio and Pompey After the fire had continued three daies and three nights it cast so many ashes with so great violence that they were carried with the force of the wind even into Africa into Syria and into Egipt whereupon Pliny being desirous to see the cause of these fires went even to the Tower Ottavi and there was stifled with the smoke which rose from the said hill This burning was the cause that the Curati were created in Rome for the Country of Lavoro whose office was to provide for those inconveniencies in all that Country Vesevo is now much tilled and yieldeth excellent Greek Wine and great store of Corn and there is also gathered great plenty of good fruits it is now called the Hill of Somma because it standeth over against Naples On the one side it hath the Fields on the other the Sea at the foot of the hill is the fair City of Somma which is adorned with the Title of Duke Of the said Hill thus saith Sillio Italico in the 12 book Monstrantur Veseva juga atque in vertice summo Depasti flammis scopuli fractusque ruina Mons circum atque Aethnae satis carentia saxa And Martial in the 4 book of his Epigrams Hic est Pampineis viridis vesuvius umbris Praesserat hic madidos nobilis uva locus Haec juga quam Nysae colles plus Bacchus amavit Hoc nuper satyri monte dedere choros Haec veneris sedes Lacedaemone graâ—ior illi Hic locus Herculeo nomine clarus erat Cuncta jacent flammis tristi mersa favilla Nec superi vellem hoc licuisse sibi Some say that Vesuvio was so called for the sparkles of fire which in old time it cast out as it were full of sparkles for in old time a sparkle was called Vesuvia Others say that it was also named Vesbio of Vesbio Captain of the Pelasgi which did domineer and command the said Hill Servio was deceived in expounding those words of Virgil in the 7. saying Et vicina Veseva ora jugo because he saith that Vesevio is not the same that is Vesuvo and that the first standeth in Liguria from whence the River Po floweth and that the second is in Campania felix Nevertheless by the authority and testimony of excellent and grave Writers that hill of Liguria hath been called Vesuvio FENNS THe Fenn Pontana called of the Latinists Palus Pontina was so named as Strabo saith from the City of Pometia sometimes a Colony of the Romans made at the same time with Suessa according to T. Liviâ—s in his 9 book It proceedeth of two Rivers the one called Aufido the other Vfente of the first Virgil maketh mention saying Et in mare volvitur Vfeus And in the 7. Vfeus insignis fama Now it is vulgarly called Aufente and also Baudino This Fenn is so large that as Pliny saith with the authority of Mutiano that there were 24 Cities Titus Livius writeth in his 47 book that the said Fenn was dried up by the Consul Cornelio Cethego and the ground became solid and firm to sow corn But in process of time care being not had thereof it returned to its pristinate state and was all filled with water the which Theodorico King of the Goths noting caused it to be made drie another time At this present the said fields are become for the most part so moorish as well by the means of the said Rivers as the great flowing of the waters which spring from the bottom of the bordering hils round about and there settle and remain their ancient passages being stopt whereby they were wont to depart and pass into the Sea So by this means there is to be seen a great Moor Upon this Fenn or Moor was the City of Terracina called in old time Ansure which was the chief and head City of the Vlosci Strabo saith that in former time it was called Trachina which is to say sharp and rough by reason of the stony â—ils where it is situate Servio saith that in Terracina was adored a little Iupiter called Ansurâ— which in Greek signifies as it were not shaven because he had no beard by reason of his youth whereupon Martial in the 10 of his Epigrams writing to Faustine thus saith O nemus ò fontes solidumque madentis arenae Lictus aequoris splendidus Anxur aqueis And Horace in hâ—s Poetry saith Sterilique diu palus aptaque remis Vnicas urbes alit grave sentit aratrum Servio also saith that not very far from Terracina was a City called Satura Suetonius Tranquillus writeth that Tiberius being invited to a Feast at Terracina in a place called Pretorio suddenly fell from aloft many great stones which kild many of his friends and followers and himself hardly escaped Spartiano saith that Antonino Pio repaired the Haven
made a Bishops Sea This City was very faithfull to King Ladislaus from whom for this cause it attained many priviledges and so strong was the Castle thereof that it was held one of the Keys of the Land and therefore was there alwaies held a strong Garison of Soldiers Gaeta hath alwaies the best Haven which as Spartianus writeth was repaired with great cost by Antonius Pius This City had great honour by Galasius second Bishop of Rome by that famous Thomas of Viao of the Order of Preachers General and after Cardinal of the Church R. this excellent man past to a better life at Rome the 9 of August in the year 1534. And moreover about our time Iohn Tharcagnota hath been very famous whose History is generally known to all Following on the said way there are seen even to Mola which are five miles delightfull Gardens near the crooked shore of the Sea under Gaeta full of green flourishing Oringes Lymons and other pleasant fruits environed with delightfull Christaline streams yielding much content to the beholders thereof Proceeding somewhat forward in following the aforesaid pleasant way on the sea-side is seen the beautifull City Mola built by the ruines of the ancient City Formia now called Ormia which a little distance are seen the Foundations of Formia built by the Laconi according to Pliny and was so called by the conveniency of the Haven as Strabo writeth this ancient City was the habitation of Antiphate King of the Lestrigoni most cruel Tyrants Mola hath very fair and fruitfull Territories some think that Mola was so named of the Wharfs or rather of the Mills which are therein turning by the continual course of water which plentifully riseth from the bottom of the Hils In this Country was the fair and delightfull Village Formiana of Scipio and Lelius the true and faithfull friends which afterward was purchased by Cicero and throughout all this Country which is from Mola to the River Garigliano are seen the ruins of great buildings whereby it may be thought that those places in ancient time were much inhabited being the most delightfull pleasant and fruitfull that the Roman Empire had After Mola three miles upon a little Hill is the Castle Honorato in the way Hercolantea builded by Honoratus of Gaeta County of Fondy Not far off is the Hill Cecubo which stretcheth to the Gulf of Gaeta this Hill is much renowned for the excellency of the Wines thereof which are much commended by Horace by Martial and Strabo following that way towards the mouth of the River Garigliano where it runneth into the Sea before Clanino is Liris so much celebrated for the overthrow which the Saracins had by Pope Iohn the 10th and for the Victory obtained by Consalvo Ferrando of Cordova against the French to whose only valour was attributed the Victory of them and the flight of the Turks whereby he gained the glorious sirname of Great Captain a favour vouchsafed from heaven whereof the world hath so few This said River riseth from the Appennine Mountains and passeth by the Territory of Vestino near to the Country of Fregelle now a famous City and goeth by Luco or rather the Sacred Wood sometimes honoured of the Minturnesi which was near the said City On the left side of the said River is seen upon a little Hill the City of Traietto builded near to the place where was the City of Minturne the ruines whereof are now to be seen and almost the whole Theatre and the ancient aquiducts Minturne was builded by the Ausoni and was afterward a Roman Colony and was divided by the River near the mouth thereof It was in the time of Pope Marcellinus honoured with a general Councel and it was one of the Cities which for the grievance of the air was priviledged by the Romans both from the Wars and other burthens and Impositions Cai. Marius flying hither secretly hid himself in a moorish or fenny place and beholding an Asse to go very pleasantly to the water to drink took it for a good presage or a token of good fortune re-inforced his Army and putting to Sea entred Rome victoriously From thence leaving the Confines of this Region of Latium we enter on the right hand into the Land of Lavoro and the Hill which is in the entrance of the Land of Lavoro very near to the mouth of Garigliano hath many famous names for in some place it is called Gauro in other Massico and in some other Gallicano that part thereof that is nearest to Garigliano is called Gauro from whence the River hath been called Gaureliano Pliny saith that this Gauro as also the Hill Vessuvio near Naples yieldeth Sulphur or Brimstone which the hot-waters sufficiently declare which at this present are seen to issue and boyle where now is the Tower of the Bathes and the Bathes themselves After Minturn the first Land that is nearest in the Land of Lavoro on this side was Trifano situated by Livy between Minturn and Sinuessa the next following was Sinuessa five miles as Strabo saith from Minturn but it is ten miles as it now appeareth Livy saith that there were two Colonies brought about the Territory Vestino and Falerno one at the mouth of Garigliano which was Minturn as is said and the other in Vestino which confineth with the Territory of Falerno where first there was a Greek City called Sinope which was builded by the Sinopesi and was by the Roman Colony called Sinuessa because it joyned near to the City Sessa Here died old Turpillus that comical Poet many ruines of this City are to be seen on the land but more in the Sea and the Haven thereof had a large Key or Wharlf made by mens labour at the top of the Hill called Dragone saith Livy that Fabius Maximus led his Army by the top of the Mount Massico forbidding passage to Hannibal and that the Souldiers of Hannibal sackt the Country even to the water Sinuessano from whence it seemeth that the Mount Massico whereon Fabius Maximus held his Army is a part of the same Hill which reacheth from Sessa to Carinola In the place of Sinuessa two miles from thence upon the Hill is the Fort of Mondragone honoured with the dignity of a Dukedome the Town whereof stands in the Plain less then a mile from the Sea where Sinuessa was is nothing seen but the Baths which as Strabo saith doe cure many diseases and especially help women that ate baren After the Fort of Mondragone upon the Hill Massico which is full of Villages from the part towards the Sea there is no land or Castle but from that part which is towards Garigliano between the Sea Garigliano the way Appia and the Mount Massico is no more plain then eight miles every way and is manured and inhabited with much people and is now called the Villages of Sessa which Plain in the happy time of the Romans was
issueth out on every side very beneficial to those which are diseased This Plain is compassed with a Hill which every carrieth an equal height in one side whereof is a very thick Wood planted in such sort that all Italy yields not a place more beautifull and more pleasant for hunting This Wood hath great plenty of Acorns and other Fruit and Food for Cattel and is full of wild Hoggs Goats Harts and other kinds of wild Beasts which entring in of themselves or forc'd by others can come no more out again The top of this Hill is very large for it reacheth more then the space of five miles this place is commonly called Listroni a place reserved for the Kings hunting Returning to the way which goeth from Pozzuolo to Naples is seen the place where was the Village of Cicero so named at this present where was buried the Emperor Adrian which died at Baia as Spartiano writeth where the temple was afterward consecrated by Antonio his successor in the place of the Sepulchre Following yet the said way is seen great ruines of the Village of Lucullus which he had near Naples according to Plutarch where likewise he caused to open the stony Hill with the Iron which carried the water of the Sea into the Lake Agnano which was included in those Hils On every side of this open Country appeareth high Rocks near which are the ruins of stately Buildings Passing by the said way to the Lake are the Baths of the Lake Agnano which are certain little closeâ— vaulted Rooms from whence there riseth certain hot vapours in such sort that a man entring in naked presently falleth into a sweat and therefore they are called Sudatorii They dissove the raw and crude humours in man they lighten the body comfort the weak heal the intrails drieth the Fistula and the ulcer in the body and easeth the pain of the Gout Here St. Germano Bishop of Capoa is said to find the soul of Pascasio Cardinal as St. Gregory relateth in the fourth Book of his Dialogues A little farther on the right hand at the foot of the high Rock which compasseth in the Lake very near to the same is a hole not very deep in the Rock nor very large nor high where any living creature being cast in dieth suddenâ—y which afterward being presently taken out and cast into the water of the said lake reviveth again Pliny maketh mention of this hole in his second Book where he saith Alii spiracula vocant alii Charoneas scrobes mortiferum spiâ—atum exalentes The said Lake bringeth forth no other thing but Frogs and in the Spring are often seen many heaps of Serpents which are there drowned and stifled in the water by the providence of God which suffereth them not to encrease being so hurtfull and venomous to the nature of man Afterward we come to Pausilipo which had that name for the pleasantness of the air which so well agreeth with the situation helping much the infirmity of weak minds for the expelling of melancholy Here Cesar had a Fish-Pond wherein a Fish lived sixty years And the bottom of this pleasant Hill was all full of Gardens and Fruits and delightfull Villages and that part towards the Sea was not far from the City of Naples near the shore whereof were an infinite number of Habitations which time hath utterly ruinated After followeth the Cave of Cocceio which some attribute to Lucullo and others to Basso made after the fashion of that of Cuma whose entrance is open and with so great largeness that three Carts may there pass in rang and by little and little the light entreth at the windows in the top which in many places are cut out in the upper part of the hill and in the right side from the passage of the Cave in the way towards Naples is the Sepulchre of Virgil and by that which doth appear this was a Chappel compassed and vaulted with Arches and smoothly walled about with Marble and within were places for Images to stand in without opposite to the Chappel is an Epitaph in white Marble with these modern Verses Qui cineres tumuli haec vestigia conditur olim Ille hoc qui cecinit pascua rura duces Going then towards Naples appeareth the little Hil Olimpia now Piaggia called of the Neopolitans Chiaia where are so many goodly Buildings among the which there is one made by M. Giacomo Sanazaro so great a friend to the Muses as any in these our daies called Merguglino and in Latine Mergeline celebrated by him in his Book De partu Virginis A little farther near unto the City is the little Isle of Megary now called the Castle of Vovo where remaineth a good Garison of Souldiers Last of all is the fair and Royal City of Naples at the first called Sirena where Parthenope arrived carried by the fortune of the Waves who changed the name being newly re-inhabited according to the Oracle of the Cumani which before they had destroyed it flourished and increased again by the union and amity of the Palepoli being alwaies faithfull to the people of Rome under whose Empire it continued with great glory and renown untill it sell together with the rest of Italy into the hands of the Goths and other Barbarians who expelled by the Normans was governed by them and made the Head of the Kingdom from whose Dominion succeeded the House of Suevia by means of the Queen Constance the only Heir from whence it came to pass Charls having killed Tancred and subdued Coradine under the French and after succeeded by means of Queen Ione of Arragon now it remaineth in peace and tranquility under the protection of the Catholick King Philip and so populous that it is not inferior to any other City whatsoever excelling in Nobility and riches all other in the world there continually repaireth sundry Nations from all parts of Europe there are assembled the most part of the Noble Families and there also florisheth the study of the Laws and all good Learning It standeth at the bottom of little Hils which compass it in the manner of a Bow or Arch. The Gulf Cratera is directly opposite unto it so called in ancient time for that Miseno and the Promontory of Minerva now called Campanella with the Isle of Capri compasseth it in the fashion of a Cup. A Cup which may be truly called a Cup or Goblet of Silver since the purity and calmness of the water resembleth in outward shew quicksilver Naples hath on the East side Fields which in length joyn to the Plains Acerram and in breadth pass to the foot of Vesevo now called Somma Strabo saith that in his time did spring at Naples hot waters very commodious to make Baths little inferior to those of Baia but that they were of less quantity The Arms of this City was a Field per fesse or and gu which Arms were given by great Constantine the Emperor
followeth Castiglione the Cape of Subero where Pyrrhus disbarked himself coming from Sicilia after cometh St. Eusemia which Stephano saith is called Lametia where is a Gulf so named very full of Coral and the best Tunny and a little distant lieth Nicastro and here the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa made for delight and pleasure convenient Baths and excellent hunting both for wild beasts and fowles the first which began in Italy to be delighted in hauking with Falcons which in former time was unknown although some write that Anasilao was the first Not very far is Tiriolo the reliques of old Tirio where the Apennine is drawn into so narrow a point that the rain-rain-water which descendeth from the ridg of some one house falleth on the left side into the Terrene Sea and on the right into the Adriatick And coming now to an end of this Province which hath for the Arms thereof a Cross bastonesa in a field Ar. the which Ensignes and Arms had its original in the time that Boemundo the Norman Duke of Calauria came with twelve thousand choice souldiers in aid of the holy Land whereby through his prowesse and valour was afterward made Prince of Antioche and forsomuch as the enterprise was very famous and honourable therefore I believe the said Province gave these Arms representing thereby the great Voyage which the said Duke made CALAURIA On the other side the Sixth Province of the Kingdom OF NAPLES CALAVRIA on the other side is a Province which containeth a good part of Magna Grecia and of the Brutii and passeth from the one and the other side of the Apennine to the Ionian and Terrene Seas and is divided from Calauria on this side by the Mediterrane above Cosenza going by a direct line to the one and the other Sea into the Ionian near Stromboli and into the Terrene at the Gulf Ipponiate which is the Gulf of St. Eufemia and these are only the Confines of the said Province where the Brutii sometimes inhabited From that part which lieth towards the North except a little is wholly compassed with the Sea on the East is the Ionian on the South Sicilia and on the West the Terrene which is the utmost limits of the Kingdom It is partly plain and partly mountainous it hath fair and fruitfull Hils Woods Rivers and Fountains great plenty of Corn Vine Olives and every other thing necessary for the sustenance of living creatures There are horses and heards of cattel very plentifull and great abundance of woll and of the best and finest silk In this Province are pits of gold of silver and great plenty almost of all mettals it hath many hot baths which cure divers infirmities and to conclude it is a Country indued with all good things for the which it may be called a most happy Region The men of this Country as also of all Calauria after other ancient names which they had were called Bretii and they were so called from Brettio the son of Hercoles as Stephano writeth in his book of the City and Ermolao upon Stephano and as it appeareth by many Greek Monuments which are declared with great Learning by Pierio Valeriano and by many Antiquaries Iustine and Trogo say that they were called Brutii of Brutia a maid Iohn Annio affirmeth that they were so called by Bruto Ombrone a most valiant Captain Calepino and Nicholas Perotto say they are called Brutii A Brutis moribus but this is a vain thing and an idle conjecture of them Guarino not well understanding Strabo addeth to his translation many things of his own conceit Strabo saying that Brutii fuerunt rebelles Lucanorum he addeth here that they were fugitives a name which was given to servants but we finding in Histories and principally in Iustine that these were children and not servants of the Lucani forsomuch as the Lucani were accustoâ—ed to bring up and foster their children in the field after the manner of the Sâ—arâ—ans but their children misliking that manner of education opposed themselves against their fathers that is to say the Lucani and went to inhabit in Calauria These people in process of time became so mighty that they feared not any whereby for as much as their Country was not well able to contain them they made spoil of the places near unto them and expel'd the natural inhabitants the which they often attempted being allured through the sweetness of the booty The ancient limits of the Brutii were the River Lavo or Lao now called the River Laino measuring along the shore of the Sea and the streight of Sicilia the space between these bounds is according to Strabo 1350 furlongs which contains 169 miles but according to the description of Ptolomy these were the limits on the West the River Lavo with the Lucani on the South the Terrene Sea with Faro of Messina on the East part of the Ionian Sea on the North Magna Grecia with the River Chrati And to make a description of this Province I will begin from the Cape of Subero where Pyrrhus King of the Epirots coming from Sicilia disbarkt himself Not far off is Triolo the reliques of old Tiro where the Apennine Hils are very narrow and then is Malda built by the Saracins which hath a very fruitfull Country From hence on the Sea at the mouth of Amato is Angitola where Dionisius often desired to unite the said Haven with that of Squillia Afterward appeareth Pizzo in a very spacious and pleasant place with the little Islands Itacensi which perhaps had this name because Vlysses arrived there Then cometh Bevona planted with goodly Gardens of Citrons and Oringes the ancient Harbour of Hipponio which the Countrey people now call Monteleone which lieth in a pleasant prospect with many fields round about the said City was founded by the Greeks and they called it Hipponium because it was builded according to the likeness pnd similitude of a horse for that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Greek tongue signifieth a horse the which City as the Histories thereof recite was in compass eight miles wholly built with bricks the ruines whereof are at this present to be seen this noble City had very pleasant and delightfull fields which compast it round about Poets have feigned that when Ceres travelled in search of her daughter Proserpina that was stoln away remained here that Winter to gather Roses and other pleasant Flowers where also continues the three Festival daies which the Tyrant Agatocles so long since ordained Pestino a famous Writer was of this City which is celebrated by Macrobio in his sixth book de Saturnali in this word Transmicto Dominico Pizzimetti a learned Philosopher was also of the same City which translated out of Greek into Latine the predicaments of Archita Tarentino The ancient Vibo was destroyed by the Agareni in the time of blessed Nilo and the like ruine sustained Terino Tauriano and Trischene And this noble
Territory is very fertile for it bringeth forth Grain Barley Beans Fitches and other Corn there are also planted great store of Sugar Canes a thing very rare in Italy This Country is adorned with the dignity of a Duke After followeth Soriano whch hath the Title of a Count. Then cometh Arena and ascending up the Apennine is the goodly Monastery of St. Stephen del Bosco built by Rugiero the Norman where is kept as we have said with many other reliques the body of St. Bruno From hence on the right hand appeareth Borrello and Melito an honourable and an ancient City which was builded by the Milesii a people of Asia for as Herodotus writeth in his sixth book Mileto a City of Asia being conquered and overcome by Darius the inhabiters which departed from the ruine thereof being deprived of their natural Country came with their wives and children together with the Sanni into Regio where they were received by Anasilao Lord of the Country to whom he gave so much Territory as they built therein a City to inhabit the which they called as we have said Melito these in process of time the Country being too little many of them went into Messina but being expel'd by the inhabiters of the Country went to the Isle of Malta There is to be seen in the said City of Melito a stately and magnificent Church under the name of the Trinity which is beautified with stately Pillars of Marble which the Duke Ruggiero the Norman caused to be transported from the ancient Hipponio the said Church was by the mediation of the said Duke consecrated by Pope Calisto the second in the year of our Lord 1122. where at this present is to be seen the fair and costly Tomb of Marble of the Duke Ruggiero That holy Paolo of the Order of Preachers was of the said City Walking towards the shore of the Sea is Briatico which hath the Title of a Marquisat and Tropea hath this name from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for that ariving there the Current of Faro is turned back very dangerous to Sailers near which Hercoles arived coming from Spain whereupon that place was afterward named the Harbour of Hercoles Here butteth out into the Sea the Cape of Vaticano and near at hand is Ioppolo and Nicotera augmentned by the ancient ruins of Medama and Rosarno there is the River Metramo in whose waves according as the Ancients were accustomed feeling themselves opprest with any sin were freed by their washing themselves therein as Orestes who thought hereby to be purged from the murther of his mother a little farther was the ancient Metauro which boasted much of Stesicoro though with little right the Sicilians challeng him to themselves and after is discovered Tauriano and from hence on the Sea is Gioia A little distant remaineth Seminara a Countrey well inhabited in whose Territory the Frenchmen were overcome by Consalvo Fernandes of Aghilare in the time of Lewis the 12 King of France And near the Mediterrane under a great descent of the Apennine called by the country-people Aspromonte riseth as it were a rock between two Rivers the Country of Sinopoli is adorned with the ancient dignity of a Count the jurisdiction whereof is from the house of Ruffa There was born in this Country that holy man Paolo of Sinopoli Fryer of the Order of Saint Francis called the Minori of Osservanza whose reliques are reverendly preserved in the City of Nicotera Going a little farther is Oppido which hath the Title of a Count and Terranovo a populous City which is adorned with the dignity of a Dukedom Not very far is Polistena against the Castle whereof lie the Isles Eolie the which have this name from Eolo which the Poets feign to be the God of the winds knowing by the nature of the place their change and alteration of these Isles Lipare was only inhabited whose circuit is 16 miles sometimes a Colony of the Gnidii which were very strong at Sea and made long resistance to the improvident assaults of the Toscans and of their first fruits they oftentimes consecrated to the Temple of Apollo at Delphus The said Isle is distant from Sicilia 20 miles Strabo and Pliny call this Isle Meligone which is very famous as wel for the fruitfulness of the ground as also for the delicacy and sweetness of the fruits and the great plenty of Alume which it yieldeth the said Isle was at the first â—nhabited by Lipareo the son of Ausonio King of Italy who being at discord with his brothers came hither with divers soeldiers to remain and here built a City which by his own name was called Lipari the which City was alwaies faithfull to the Kings of Naples from whom in recompence it obtained many priviledges and freedoms but finally in the month of Iuly 1544 it was destroyed with sword and fire by Ariadeno Barbarossa Captain of the Turkish Army but it was suddenly repaired again by the Emperor Charls the fifth The other Isles are not manured nor inhabited whereby their ancient names yet continue that is to say Stromboli and Vulcano from whence continually riseth smoke and sometimes flames of fire with horrible noise and thundring Here we may see Bagnara where the women for their beauty and comliness appear like Nymphs and here is the general fishing for the Sword-fish called by Pliny Xiphia the which is done as Strabo declareth in his first book of Geography in this manner following which manner is also recited by Polybius First of all one is appointed as a spie to stand in a high place being as a common guard or defence for all the fishers the which are dispersed into many little boats of two oars remaining in every one two of them one which guideth the boat with two oars the other to wound the fish with an armed Sphear which he standing on the fore-deck or head of the boat holdeth in his hand so soon as the spie maketh a signe that the fish is discovered rising with the third part of his body above the water he with the oars roweth near the boat and the other preparing his blow wounds him with a wonderful agility then snatching out the sphear the iron remans behind which being broad-headed and so wel accommodated that easily a man may wound with it and as easily leave it in the wound to the iron is tied a long little cord which goes so far with the wounded fish that beating himself and labouring to escape becometh weary Then they draw the fish to the shore or get him into one of their little boats if he be not over-great and if it so fall out the sphear be cast into the Sea it cannot therefore be lost because that being made part of Oak and part of Firr so well joyned together the weight of the oak drawing one end under the water the lightness of the firr causeth the other end to rise up so that it may
commended for Zeuxses portraying Images in the Temple of Iuno took them for his pattern and for the sports and exercises of Atleta where was Milo so strong that he used to carry a Bull and Egone which in running overtook the young Heifers cutting from them their hoofs and making afterward a present thereof to his Amarillis Walking along we come to the City Cariati which hath the dignity of a Prince and not far off lieth Calopizzato Crusia and the noble and ancient City Rossano built by the Enotri Iohn the 7. Bishop of Rome which was born there honoureth much this City A little farther within the Land is Longobucco where are sound certian Mines of Silver from thence descending towards the Sea we may see Corigliano and not far off is Cassano in so fair and temperate a Country as it is not inferior to the best part of all the Land of Lavoro and here within the circuit of this pleasant Country was the ancient City of Turio which at this present the people of the Country call Terranova Trogo writeth in his 20 book that the said City was builded by Filottete the which was much ennobled by Herodotus having writ therein his Histories in which City he also died as Pliny saith from the same City Octavius Augustus had his beginning And this City hath also been the natural Soil of many Roman Bishops Then appears towards the sea-side Trebisazze Albidona Amendolara and the River Semio called in old time Siri by the City of Siro which stood very near which was afterward named Heraclea to whom the Statue of Minerva bred great wonder in turning and rouling the eyes against the Ionii which sacking and spoyling the City respected it not The men of this Province are of a white complexion of indifferent stature and strong crafty firm and resolute in their opinions hardy and stout much inclined to Learning and Arms they use Daggs Swords and Pikes The Gentlemen attire themselves after the Neopolitan fashion and likewise the women but those which live in Villages are very rude and barbarous The Arms of this Province are per salter or .4 pates gules and on the second partition or so many crosses bastone Sa. The which two Crosses signifie the two Calaurias and the other partitions are the Arms of Aragon These Arms were invented by Don Ferdinando of Aragon Duke of Calauria the son of Alfonsus the first King of Naples for that he would not otherwise express them that although the Region of Calauria was divided by his Father into two Provinces nevertheless he was Lord of them both The Countrey of OTRANTO The seventh Province of the Kingdom of NAPLES THe fair and rich Province of the Country of Otranto called in old time Iapigia as Solon saith of Iapige the son of Dedalus which came thither with many people to inhabit These people had their original from Latii and as others say from the Cretians which with the Illerians came into this utmost bound of Italy This Province was also called Salentina from the Promontory Salentino at this present named the Cape of Santa Maria but as Festus saith of Salo which is to say the Sea which compasseth it almost round about except a little part which joyneth with the firm land others affirm that it was called Salentina of the people Salentini which came with the Cretians hither to inhabit It was afterward called Messapia of the Captain Messapo which came from Peloponesus with a Colony into this Region And not long after it was named by the Creeks Calauria And finally from the City of Otranto all this Region is called the Country of Otranto The figure and form of this Province is an out cape of land which is one of the three angles or corners of Italy wherein endeth one of the two principal capes wherein is a part of the Apennine and here as is commonly thought ends the Adriatick Sea and is united with the Ionian Verily this Province seemeth as another Chersonesus lying under a pleasant air The circuit thereof is little more then 200 miles whose Istmus is between Taranto and Monopoli not exceeding the space of 40 miles in the which Peninsula although the superficial part of the earth for the most part be rough and stony nevertheless being ploughed up discovereth excellent mould and although there be little store of water it yields good pasture for Cattel and bringeth forth Wheat Wine Barley Oats Olives Citrons excellent Musk-millions Figgs Apples Pears Limons Oringes Oxen Asses Mules of the best breed and such abundance of Saffron that it seems to be rather the proper fruit of this Country then of Carthage The great plenty of Oâ—l which is there made seemeth a thing incredible to those which have not seen it whereby all the Kingdom doth not only abound therewith but also the greatest part of Italy and every where is excellent fowling and hunting both for Conies and hares And although the air be very wholsome yet the leprosie is very common by the means as I think of eating Pork and drie Figgs the ordinary food of the common people The springs of water are partly sweet and partly gross and brackish In this Country is bred the Tarantola whose venom is driven away with sound and singing the which Galen also affirms with the authority of Theofrastus of certain other creatures There are also bred the Chersidri and there is no part of Italy more troubled with Grashoppers which devour all things where they come and in one night consume the ripest fields But nature hath provided a remedy by the means of certain Fowls which they call Ganie which destroy this vermin The Hail also much hurteth this Province which almost every year doth some spoil The Thunder is there felt as in the Country of Lavoro both in Summer and Winter But coming to the description of this Province beginning at the River Bradano is Taranto a worthy and an ancient City which some say had that name from the River Tara and others from Tara the son of Neptune and others impute the original to Hercoles This City so increased by the means of Falanto the Spartan who governing under the Democratical Regiment contended sometimes with the Lucani and sometimes with the Senate being alwaies aided by strange Captains having sometines the help of Alexander and sometines of Pyrrhus became so rich that there was no City except Siracusa that brought greater riches to the people of Rome it glorieth much in her Archita that admirable Mathematician which caused a Dove of Copper to fly round about the City and of Aristosseno the Musician Taranto lieth between two Seas whereof the one is called the great the other the little in the lesser which is in compass 18 miles there runneth in many springs and the River Galeso by means whereof and the calmness of the water there are many fishes and no less then in the Sea of Constantinople
Latines Aprutium because it is mountenous and full of wild hoggs Others affirm that a part of Abruzzo being sometimee inhabited by the Precutini time having corrupted the word instead of Precutio was called Aprutio I name this Province Abruzzo as it is by the Kings Court and as at this present it is commonly called changing the letter P. into B. The bounds of Abruzzo had on the East the River Fortore Tronto on the West on the North the Adriatick Sea and on the South the Apennine Hils and moreover also it had on the East the Plain Puglia with the River Fortore on the West part of the Sabines Picentini and Campani with Latium the Equicoli along the Apennine as much on the one side of the said Hill as is on the other It now taketh its beginning from the mouth of the River Pescara and goeth along the shore of the Adriatick sea even to the mouth of Fortore where it ends with Capitanato leaving by that Province the City of Teramo and between the Land with Abruzzo on the other side and that branch of the River Pescara which rising from the streight of Valata passeth by the foot of the Apennine against the Land of Popoli and near it entreth into the Valley called Itramonti leaving all the country which hath the River on the right side and a little higder above the Marsi are the Apennine Hils where the River Sangro springeth which riseth from that obscure Valley of Barrea which they call the Kings Valley in the Plain near the castle of Sangro which divides this Province from the county of Molise This Province is partly plain and partly mountainous and hath great plenty of Rivers and great and thick Woods and the Territory thereof is very fertile for it bringeth forth Wine Grain Oyle Rice Barley and other Corn and everywhere is gathered great abundance of excellent Saffron And although the air be somewhat cold nevertheless the amenity of the country is sweetned thereby with so good a temper and such plenty of fruits and heards of cattel and abundance of wild beasts besides ravenous creatures as wolves and bears Some think that the Frentani were the most valiant people of all Italy but as I think they were much deceived having not first well considered the words of Pliny who describing the Region of the Frentani saith it makes the fourth which from the River Tiferno beginneth the fourth Region of the Frentani so that by these valiant people he meaneth the Frentani themselves and the Marrucini which came afterward and the Peligni and the Precutini and who readeth the Roman Histories may know that the squadrons of the Peligni were preferred before all the Latine Nations The principal city of this Region is called at this Present Civita di Chieti named by Ptolomy Teatea and of Pliny Theate and also of Strabo Theate and was so called by Theata the mother of Achilles Both these said Authors write that this city was the chief and principal head of the Marucini as likewise Silio affirms the same saying Marhucina simul Frentanis aemula pubes Corfini populos magnumque Theate trabebat This city is situate upon a very high hill distant from the Adriatick Sea no more then seven miles it was destroyed by Pepin the son of Charls the great for taking part with the Longobards but it was about two hundred years following repaired again and became so pleasing to the Normans for the most pleasant situation thereof that Gotfredo the brother of Ruberto Guiscardo in the time of Pope Nicholas the second possessing this Province made the said City the head of all the Country of Abruzzo the Territory thereof is very excellent and bringeth forth all necessary things as well for profit as pleasure beyond the River Sangro among the Peligni is the ancient City of Orton upon the Sea being by Strabo called Ortonium and of Cato Ortonum but Ptolomy nameth it Orton And Strabo writeth that it was in old time called Petra Piratorum because the Rovers and Pirats retired hither when they had robbed at the sea in the which City is to be seen in a very stately Church where with great reverence is preserved the body of St. Thomas the Apostle with his ancient Tomb in which Church appeareth alwaies upon the Steeple when any ship is in danger at sea the miraculous light of St. Heramo which the Ancients attributed to Castor and Pollux although Philosophers affirm that it naturally proceeds from the repercussion of the air through the winds and water which seemeth very unlikely because there is not so much as the leaf of a tree that moveth without the providence of God how should this light casually chance the sea presently becoming calm and the sailers in safety which in that perilous state called faithfully upon the name of God Neither can it be by the means of any evil spirits for never is shewed any deed of piety but by some celestial and divine means and especially towards the faithfull Not far distant from Ortona is to be seen Ferentana at this present corruptly called Francavilla because it was often possest by the French this City was according to Razano the head of the Frentani From the River Sangro or Sanguine called in old time Saro four miles distant and as far from the sea is Lanciano a noble City called by Pliny Anxium and of Ptolomy Anxanum Here at two several times in the year that is to say in the month of May and August do Merchants assemble almost from all parts of Europe Asia and from other parts where is a principal Mart or Fair very famous through all the world on the right hand of Lanciano at the foot of the Hill is Maiella and Palumbaro and on the right hand of the River Sangro near the Sea is the Monastery of St. Iohn where sometimes was the famous Temple of Venus and above are these Countries Fossaceca and the Fort of St. Iohn and a little higher on the side of Sangro are seen the great ruines of the City of Bica which the country people call Seca on the right hand cometh the River Aventino and joyneth with Sangro and near the foot of Maiella are these Countries Civitella and Lama and on the right hand of the River Aventino is Palena the word being corrupted in place of Peligno near the which appears the ruines of the ancient City sometimes the chief and head of the Piligni called Superequani This Country is ennobled with the dignity of a Count the Lord whereof is Matteo of Capoa Prince of Couca a very rich Lord and a great lover of Learning But returning behind Lanciano going along the shore of the sea we come to the mouth of the River Foro which riseth from the Mount Maiella where it entreth into the Sea near the which is the Castle Tollo and on the left side thereof near unto it is Miglionico and a little higher is Fara and before it is
desire Upon the said Hill was in old time a Tower called Faro on the which both day and night did burn a continual light as a signe for Marriners to sail with the more security The said Hill is streightned in the manner of a Promontory of three breadths compassed with the Sea and in the said Cape where it begins to be narrow although it be naturally full of Caves it is so hollow and vaulty by means of the buildings that are thereon raised and supported with Pillars and built with Marble that it seems as a Hill down-hanging and within there was as is to be seen Baths and very delicate banqueting places among the which there was one called the Cave Traconaria so named of Traconibus for that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth water-courses as Francisco Titelmanno noteth in 148 Psalm The said Cave is very large long and high built in an admirable manner and part of it is standing and part half ruinated and also some part wholly gone That part which is to be seen lieth in this sort It hath in the midst an entrie of 200 handsbreadth in length and 18 in breadth having on both sides four lodgings vaulted in largeness some 12 and some 16 hands breadth being between some of them the space of 12 hands breadth and between others 18. In these spaces are 4 dores every one the breadth of 12 hands the one distant from the other 16 except the first distance which is in the entrance 18. but the other distances between the said dores are equal The Arches are supported and made with cross interlacing It is a thing very certain as it is commonly judged of all that the said Caves were made to preserve water On that side of the Hill which lies towards Cuma the said Hill hath a poole of the Sea called Mare Mortuum and round about upon the brow and edg of the main-land appear the ruines and goodly foundations of ancient buildings and this was the place where Suctonius saith that Octavius Augustus kept his Army by Sea near Miseno for the guard and defence of the Terrene Sea of France Spain Mauritania and of Africa and of the Isles which lie in the midst thereof of the which Army Plinio Veronese was Captain at the time that the Hill Vesuvio burnt where he died whilst he attempted to see the great exhalations of that Hill which cast the ashes even into Africa Siria and Egipt Afterward within the land appears Foundations incredible to those that have not seen them where they now say is a wonderfull Lake for these being as it seems the foundations of a goodly Palace that was in this part which remaineth there standing supported with very high Pillars being a hundred and sixty paces long and in breadth 250. and so fair that it seems new and I believe it was the Palace of L. Lucullus which he had near Baia to dwell pleasantly in the time of Winter because it stands in a very warm place Whereof Plutarch maketh mention in the life of the said Lucullus declaring that L. Lucullus having invited Pompey in the Summer season to his house Frascato which is near Rome seemed to jest and flout at him saying he was not well advised to build so goodly and stately a house as that was being full of so many open Galleries and broad Windows and exposed both to the winds and cold that though in Summer he might well inhabit yet in Winter time it was utterly to be abandoned To which he saith that Lucullus also scoffingly answered him that Pompey was deceived in him because he had better played the wise Crane then he had done for that house he only built for the Summer-season having another as fair at Baia for the Winter where was a continual Spring The Tombs and Reliques of this Palace and other ancient Monuments which are half standing and half ruinated which are to be seen in these places are such that it seems as if there had been an absolute City rather then a House Of the said Hill Miseno Strabo makes mention in his fifth book Cicero in the second of his Filippice Antonio in his Commentarie Ptolomy in his third book Suetonius in the 2 cap. 49. Plin in the 3. cap. 16. Tacitus in the 19 book Sill. in the 8. Proper in the 3. and in the 18. Statio in the 3 Sat. 1. and of modern Writers Iohn Pontano in his 6 book of the Warrs of Naples Massico is a famous Hill which stands in Campania felix and is now called the Foâ—â— of Mandragone of a certain City that is there which hath the title of a Duke This excellent Hill is very famous as well in old time as in these our daies for the singular and delicate Wine which it yields being of a golden and amber colour of a sweet and odoriferous savor and of a most delicious and pleasing taste these Vines grow in the top of the Hill The Territory thereof in old time extended even to the Walls of Sinuessa a Colony of the Romans and with the back and ridg thereof the said Hil stretcheth to Cali now named Calvi even to the left side of the Territory of Venafro so that it confined on the one side with the Territory of Falerno now called Gaudo which in like manner brought forth these precious and excellent Wines of the colour of gold which were so pleasing to the Roman Emperoâ—s and of whom Iulius Cesar as Pliny in the 15 cap. of the 14 lib. writeth honoured therewith his Feasts and most renowned Banquets which he made in Rome Of this Hill Massico Virgil maketh mention in many places and chiefly in the second book of his Georgicks saying Sed gravidi fruges Bacchi Massicus humor And in the 7 of Eneid Verunt soelicia Baccho Massica Sillio Itallico in his 7 book Massicus uviferis addebat nomina globis And the same saith in another place Massica sulcabit mulcere Falernus in aevo And Horace in his first book of Verses Est qui nec veteris pocula Massici Of the Wine Falerno Galen makes mention in his second lib. de ar cur de san tuen cap. 6 and in cap. 5. and in many other places and if any man desires to know more he may read Persius in the third Satyr Giovinal in the Sat. 8. Sillius in the 7 lib. Tibullus in the second Horace in the second book of Verses Ovid in the fourth de Ponto Titus Livius in the first Plin. the 14 book cap 3. Macrobio the third de Saturnali L. Floro in the first book and of modern Writers Iacobo Perfetto and Iohn Baptista in the book of the nature of Wines Minervio is a Hill or rather a Promontory which standeth directly against the Isle of Capre where upon an arm of the Hill are situate these Cities Surrento Massa and Vico. The said Hill by Pliny and Pomponius Nola is called Promontorium Minervae and