customes and Tolls much decayed in value through the ruine of that Port which was afterwards called Julia from the Reaccomodators name Julius Caesar. So saies Servius upon these verses in the second of the Georgicks An memorem potius Lucrinoque addita claustra Atque indignatum magnis stridoribus aequor Julia qua Ponto longe sonat unda refuso Tyrrhenusque immittitur aestus Avernis A wonderfull Adventure In our times that is in the yeer 1538 those adjacent Fields and places being for two whole yeers before shaken moved and disturbed in the end the night of the twenty ninth day of September between the foot of the mountain Gaurus and the Sea near the aforesaid Lakes there arose a new mountain called Monte Novo a mile high in the upright which now is in circuit at the bottome four mile A miraculous thing to fall out in one night At the birth of this mountain the shore and the waters of the Sea retired the space of two hundred spaces one great and entire town called Tripergolano was entirely swallowed up by the Vorago and gulf of the earth with some of its baths which were very celebrious and the near Lakes Avernus and Lucrinus were almost filled up with stones earth and ashes This was thought to have proceeded from the ashes which came out of Sulfatara how many other old memorials this new mountain hath covered cannot be known On the top of it is a large mouth about 50. paces in circuit which at the beginning vomited out fire at the bottome whereof are now found warm waters The Lake AVERNUS THe Lake Avernus hath been illustrated by the most esteemed Poets and diligently described by Strabo and other Historians for the Fables sake which the Antients gave credit to appropriated to it For this was consecrated to Pluto the God of hell Hereabouts as Fame went was the Poets Acheron or descent into hell and here was the gate of hell thorough which they caused to rise the infernal Spirits when any humane creature was sacrificed unto them And hence the Gimerian Priests the antient Inhabitants of this place sent down by certain Caverns into hell to find Pluto such Travellers and strangers as came to be resolved in any questions or to receive counsel or answer from Pluto To this day the vulgar believe that through the Caverns in the neighbouring hill hence denominated Monte della Sibylla one may descend to the subterranean residence of the Sibylla Cumana and that there she is seen and consulted by many which things Leandrus Albertus in his Italia diligently advertiseth Lactantius saieth that she among the other Sybils prophesyed of Christ. The Inhabitants further hold for certain that Christ returning from Limbus with the souls of the holy Fathers arose out of the earth through a certain mountain near the Lake Averuus and the Monte Novo and therefore they call that Mountain by the name of Monte di Christo which opinion some old Poets confirm writing of the Baths of Pozzuolo Est locus effregit quo portas Christus Averno Et sanctos traxit lucidus inde Patres And another Est locus Australis quà Portam Christus Averni Fregit et eduxit mortuos inde suos T was also believed by the multitude of hot waters springing out all over those quarters that this Lake reached to a vein of the infernal waters and therefore called Palude Acherosia the Acherontick Fenns from which Maro disagrees not when he saies Quando hic inferni janua regis Dicitur et tenebrosa Palus Acheronte refuso Though in truth this false opinion was augmented by the natural quality of the places and other circumstances to wit some rare and stupendious miracles which have there come to passe Then as to the Avernus know it lies in a low Valley almost surrounded by high hills clothed of old with thick and heavy Trees capable to keep out the wind Whence the Lake was not frequented by any but emitting an unwholsome sulphurous stink it so infected the air above it by being so closely 〈◊〉 by mountains and woods that Birds flying over it fell down dead and thence t was named by the Latins Avernus that is to say without Birds So also may we collect from Livy that in old time this Vale was a horrid place and esteemed altogether inaccessable for saith he the Romans waging war against the Samniti the enemies when the Romans put them to flight by whole Armies retreated into the Woods in the said Vale as to secure places But Strabo writes not so of it in his time but saies that then this vale and nearer hills were delitious places in respect Augustus had caused the woods to be felled and a free passage opened to the air At present the Lake is full of fish and water-foul nor hath it any of those incommodities attributed to it by the antients Yet t is true that not many ages since a vein of sulphurous pestilential water gushed out of the bottome of the Lake which suddenly killed a world of fish their colour and smell being cast on the earth confirming that to be the cause of their death Joannes Boccaccius in his little tract of Lakes saies he saw it with his own eyes in the time of King Robert about the yeeer 1380. The Sybil Cumana was she which gave AEneas free passage into hell as Virgilâ—…aith â—…aith she was called Cumana of the City of Cuma here under treated of and was one of the twelve Sybils all which prophesyed of Christ though some more obscurely yet two so fully that with submission I shall here insert somewhat of their prophecies touching the Saviour of Mankind SIBILLA CUMANA GReat Rome shall then look high Whose proud Towers from seaven hills shall brave the sky And overlook the world In those blest daies Shall come a King of Kings and he shall raise A new Plantation and though greater far Then all the Monarchs that before him are In Majesty and power yet in that day So 〈◊〉 and humble he shall daign to pay Tribute to Caesar yet thrice happy he That shall his subject or his servant be And the SIBILLA ERITHRAEA to this effect THe times by the great Oracle assigned When God himself in pity of mankind Shall from the heaven descend and be incarnate Entring the world a Lamb immaculate And as himself in wisdâ—…m thinks it meet Walk on the Earth on three and thirty feet And with six fingers all his subjects then Though a King mighty shall be Fishermen In number twelve with these war shall be tride Against the Devil world and flesh their Pride Humility shall quell and the sharp sword With which they fight shall be the sacred word Establish't upon Peter which foundation Once laied shall be divulg'd to every Nation At one side of the Lake Avernus is the Temple of Apollo at the other this Sibilla Cumana her Grott which is very spatious having at the end a magnificent ascent where the oracle stood with
Tribunals and ten Gates of Brass The Store-House of the Germans which is five hundred and 12 foot in circumference whose Front outwards hath many excellent Figures and inwards two Galleries which go quite round the one above the other wherein are two hundred Lodging Chambers There stand also up and down this City besides what are above mentioned infinite more Statues Pictures and glorious Tombes At all seasons it abounds plentifully with fruits and herbs of all sorts and two hundred several sorts of Fish furthermore there are four-hundred and fifty bridges of Stone fourscore thousand Gondaloes or Boats with twice as many Gondaloers or Watermen with a vast number of Chanels among the which the Principal is called the Grand Canale or Chanel one hundred and thirty paces in length and forty in bredth over which is built that most artificial Bridge called the Rioalto being one Arch which conjoynes both the Banks to be accounted for its heighth length and bredth amongst the most glorious fabricks of Europe whereon are erected twenty four shops covered all alike with lead that is to say twelve of a side with magnificent Balustrades behind They ascend this Brid Bridge by three degrees of steps that in the midst consists of sixty six Steps and thoseof each side of one hundred forty five to these rarities may be added the infinite concourse of People And to the end we may remove that erroneous opinion that this City was built by Fishermen let us observe what Cassiodoro who was Counsellor and Secretary of Theodorick King of the Gothes speaks thereof Vos saith he Qui numerosa navigia in ejus confinio possidetis Venetia plenae nobilibus c. which happening in the four hundred ninty and fifth year of our Salvation and from the building thereof between 80. and 90. years gives a fair presumption that the Venetians could not acquire so great reputation nor less possess so many Vessels on the Sea had they not been somewhat rich and noble too sometime before Your next visit must be to the Arsenal or Magazine of War of this City seated on the one side of it towards the two Castles and Palace of the Patriark which are compassed about with high Walls and with the Sea This Arsenal affords but one entrance by one only Gate and by one only Chanel where thorow are guided in all the shipping and 't is about the quantity of two miles in circuit Herein generally they make all their works and engines of War but most particularly their Charge is to prepare here these 4. Materials for that Service Timber Iron Brass and Hemp. Of which their charge of Timber-work they are so provident that besides what at first shewes itself to the view there is under the water a good quantity of Gallies great and small Gallefoists Pinnaces Brigantines Masts Main-yards Oars and Rudders for their Sea vessels And for the Iron work Bullets of all sizes Nayls Chains Anchors with divers Plates of Iron as likewise for Brass all sorts of Ordnance and of all proportions And lastly of their Hempen works all sorts of Shrouds Sails and Cables To which several works continually attend a vast number of Workmen and excellent Handicraftsmen who being as it were born in that Place and from thence obteining their livelihood Neither delight in any other Place nor do no other thing but what there by their several Callings they are directed unto Therein are erected most ample Arches wherein their several Vessels are kept dry and built some fully finished some building and others repairing The next Curiosity is their spatious Halls full of Arms for defence in Maritine service as great Celades Cariages and Breasts and no less provided of Offensive Weapons as Pistols Daggers Bramble Sithes Partisans Javelins Two Handed Swords Cross-bows and Long-bows Others of those Halls are filled with Artillery as small and great Muskets Falcons whole Cannon Demicannon and Quarter Cannon Sacres and Culverins There are some pieces of A tillery which have from Three Barrels to Seaven which are called if I err not the Organs Engines made more for a certain Greatnesse and Magnificence than for use and service in War To say no more the whole is kept and governed with that order and neatness that it doth not onely delight the Beholder but would satisfie the most insatiable Appetite of gazers and fill them with a certain spritely and Martial Ardour In fine the Common wealth hath in this place all sorts of Ammunition of Warr as well for Land as Sea-service All Engines for offence all charges for defence and lastly all things whatsoever made ready either to set in order an Armado for Sea service or an Army for Land-service which may be needful And although from this place which may properly be called the Work-house and Store-house of War they every Day fetch Arms and Ammunition as well for their force upon the firm Land as upon the Sea Yet nevertheless by the daily labours of the Artizans 't is so restored that it seems to no more diminish than the Sea does by the many Rivers that issue out of it Furthermore here is kept the stately Galley called the Bocentoro adorned greatly with Gold and rich carvings which never goes forth but upon solemn Feast Dayes and particularly upon the Day of the Ascension of our Saviour on which Day the Prince in great state with a Train of the principal Senatours enter herein and being thence rowed to the Port of the two Castles near the Adriatick Sea there after certain Ceremonies the Duke solemnly marries the Sea and casts therein a Gold Ring in real assurance of this Republicks Dominion thereof This Republick allow the Greck Church a full liberty in Venice who use as much ceremony in their Religion as the Church of Rome but less superstition Nor have the Jewes mean privileges for provided they alwais wear a red hat to denote the Blood they wisht and drew upon their own heads when they crucified our Saviour and without which t is Lawfull for any one to kill them they have as great immunities in all things as the Naturals and more power than the Common sort here also they have a Synagogue for every Nation whereof they have nine in their Guetta or Court which is assigned them for their habitation Their concourse hither is from their immunities grown innumerable which I suppose may give as great occasion as any other for this Cities vast Traffique whereof she is Mistress in these parts as also for the rise and fall of the Exchange at the pleasure of her Merchants in their Bank are managed vast sumes of money and infinite exchanges dayly made and yet a very small sum of money told out or payed through the yeer such is the Reputation of those eminent Senators who are there the Bankers where most of the Merchants accounts are kept for a small matter the Ducket de Banco whereby they compute their greatest sums and govern their exchanges is but an
one of the first four of Italy here they make bread white as Snow and here they keep with great devotion the Garter of the Virgin Mary a little more near the Apenines is Monte Murlo much spoken of for the taking those Florentines which fled out of Florence and there embodied by Alessandro Vitelli Captain for Cosmus the Duke which secured his Principality PISTOIA AFter which entring a lovely Plain you meet the City Pistoia twenty miles off Florence which though little is neatly compact and rich and would have been better had it not much groned under the factions of its own Citizens Twenty miles of Pistoia stands Lucca which governs it self in Liberty and by the strength of its Wall the Richness of Trade and the Industry of its own Citizens maintains it self well with all things necessary t is an antient City and was made a Colony of the Romans Desiderius the King built its strong Walls which with its site enabled it to endure a six moneths siege by Narsetes towards the Sea stand yet the footsteps of the Temple of Hercules the River Serchio runs close by Lucca whence the famous baths of Italy are ten miles distant Out of Florence towards the West in that spatious Plain stands the Castles Empoli and Fucecchio there is also a Lake of that name as also San Miniato al Todesco so called for that t was built by certain Germans under Desiderius their King PISA COasting the River Arno you attain Pisa an antient City built long before Rome by the Grecians and was one of the 12 Cities of Tuscany it was powerfull at Sea and obtained many victories against the Genovesi it subdued Cartagine conquered the Island of Sardegna and delivered its King Prisoner to the Pope It recovered Palermo in Sicilia out of the hands of the Sarazens who had long enjoyed it it slew the Sarazen King of Majorca It sent 40 Galleys in assistance to Almerico King of Ierusalem against the Sarazens who possessed Alexandria It greatly assisted the Popes in their adversity It was so potent happy and rich that Saint Thomaso treating of the four things reckons it among the four most potent Cities of Italy But from that time that at the instance and request of Frederick Barbarossa it captivated so many Prelates of the Romi◅h Church two Cardinals which came from France to the Lateranian Council it only decayed from bad to worse till it lost Liberty and Power yet in process of time by the residence of the Knights of S. Stefano and the University it recovered and still preserves the Countenance of an honourable City Plato will have it well situated being four miles then now eight from the Sea so that t is not placed upon the Sea shore but near it not upon the Mountains but near them in a Plain just so divided from the royal River Arno as Plato fancies his City T is endowed with four things which create wonder the Church of Saint Iohn the Domo the Steeple and ◅ampo Santo which was raised with that very holy Earth which they brought home in their Galleys when 50 of them were sent to assist the Emperor in the recovery of the holy Land On one side of it lies Lucca on the other Livorgeo or Ligorne T was destroyed by the Florentines in the yeer 1509. Intending from Florence to Siena you must go out at the Porta Romana through which Charles the fifth entred after his Victory in Africk and so passing by the Monastery Certosini attain Cassano Tavernelli and Staggia by a direct way having pleasant hills and fruitfull Valleys on each side In the way appears the Castle Certaldo the Birth-place of Giovani Boccaccio the Prince of Tuscan Poets who dyed in the 62. yeer of his Age in the yeer of our Lord 1375. and was interred in a Marble Tombe in the Domo of Certaldo with this Epitaph Hac sub mole jacent cineres ac ossa Ioannis Mens sedet ante Deum meritis ornata laborum Mortalis vitae genitor Boccac◅ius ◅lli Patria Certaldum studium fuit alma Poesis Somewhat further stands the Bourg Saint Geminiano famous for its good wine Vernace T is adorned with fair Churches noble Palaces illustrious persons and a gentle people built by Desiderius King of the Longobardi Westward from which lies the antique City Volterra which was founded 100. yeers before the firing of Troy and 500. before the building of Rome t is built on a hill the ascent to whose top is 3 miles its Walls are of squared stones 6 foot long layed cemented without Mortar It hath five gates before each a Fountain of clear water within them two other stately Fountains with many antiēt statues on thē old Epitaphs it hath a rich Territory is subject to the great Duke it produced Persio the poet and divers other wits beyond it lies the Sea On its left hand lies Ancis◅ the Country of St. Francis the Patriark Fighine and other good places AREZZO TRavailing towards the East you meet Arezzo accounted one of the antient twelve The Aretines contributed 30000. Crowns as many Celades with other Kinds of Weapons to the Romans and 120000. bushels of Wheat to furnish the Armada of 40 Galleys which was to convoy Scipio against the Carthaginians It hath suffered many and many calamities but with the government of Cosmus the great Duke it began to take breath and restore it self Pliny saies their Vessels of Earth were in his time esteemed the best of Italy San Donato its Bishop was there Martyred in the time of Valentinian the Emperor who baptized L. Zembio the Tribune and then endowed the Church of Arezzo wherein lies buried S. Loren◅o and Pellegrino brothers and Martyrs and Gregory the 10th chief Bishop the house of Petrark is yet to be seen there begins the State of the Church On the direct way to Siena stands Poggibonzi a place noted for the perfumed Tobacco composed there which the Italians take as profusely in powder as the English in pipes as also Ascia and near it Siena SIENA Paolo V. THis City was named Siena from the Galli Senoni who resided there under Brennus their Captain and built it on the back of the hill Tuffo t was made a Colony by the Romans and afterwards underwent the same misery with the other Cities of Tuscanie In process of time it recovered liberty and therewith its former emulation with Florence against whom it fought and obtained a glorious victory after which it became subject to the Petrarci it s own Citizens whome discarding it continued a free State till the yeer 1555. when the great Duke recovered it It s ayr is very good and wholesome Its Inhabitants very courteous who profess and speak the purity of the Italian Language without the Porta Romana the City appears with a great deal of Majesty being beautifyed by the many Towers raised in honour of such persons as performed some eminent service for the Common Wealth among
of it On the left side of the said Lake is Orvieto Cagnarea and Tevere all Cities On the right the City Soana the birth place of Pope Gregory the 7th at present almost uninhabited Petigliano and Farneso appertainning to the noble Family of Farnesi in Rome somewhat further is the City Castro of the said Farnesies so surrounded with Rocks and Cavernes that it appears to the Enterers rather an obscure Den for wilde beasts than habitations for Men. From whence walking towards the Sea you finde Orbello Talamoni Monte Argentaro and Port Ercole all stately places subject to the King of Spain On whose right-hand they shew the noble Castle Tuscanello subject to the See of Rome so antient that if it be permitted to beleeve them they say it was built by Askanius Son of Eneas and upon one of the ports appears an old Marble with an Epitaph carved thereon shewing his Original and descent As also the City Cornetto by the antient Tuscans dedicated to Pan whose stately antique Walls shew it to have been an honourable City Pope Gregory the fifth was born there Giovanni Vitalesco a Cardinal and Father Mutio a Jesuite with many other famous Men seaven miles off Cornetto stands Civita Vecchia on the Sea shore a fortified Port. On the left hand of the Via Regia lies Horti an antient City which is the Tuscan boundarie Further off is Tevere and the Lake Basanello in Latine Lacus Vadimonis and hereabouts stands Bassanello Castello Magliano Civita Castellana Galese and the Via Flaminia which leads from Rimini to Rome In the way from Bolsena to Rome is the Grove Monte Fiascone where the Antients with great ceremony and solemnity were wont to sacrifice to the Goddess Giâ—…one near which stands the old City Mionte Fiascome which was a long time besieged by Camillus who was not able to reduce it for the strength of its site It s Territory yeelds Moscatella Monte Fiascone being passed you enter a large and pleasant Plain in which stands Viterbo antiently called Vetulania but Desiderius the King having inclosed it Longhola Tussa and Turrenna within one Wall by his Edict yet to be read in a white Marble Tablet in the Palace of Viterbo commanded it to be called Viterbo t is head of the Church Patrimony and behind it lies Monte Cimeno T is adorned with stately Edifices amongst which the Domo is famous where four Popes ly buried Iohn the 21. Alexander the 4th Adrian the 5th and Clement the 4th and the Church Santa Rosa wherein that Saints body is kept entire an admirable Fountain casting out great quantity of water This City was a long time subject to the Vecchi and Gotti its Citizens who driven out it submitted to the Pope T is well inhabited with a civil people and abounds with Corn Oyl Wine and Fruits in its Territory are eleven Rivers which store it with excellent Fish It wants not Baths of warm water among the rest those of Bolicano are named for their Miraculous virtue A mile forth the City stands the Church Quierria dedicate to the Virgin Maria finally it hath afforded Men of excelling Judgements From this City you ascend the Mountain Viterbo called Mons Cyminus by the Latins upon which is the Castle Canepina near thereto stood formerly the Castle Corito built by Corito King of Tuscany whose foundations yet remain there also was then a thick and terrible Wood through which none durst pass no more than the Calidonian or Hercinian Wood but at present the Trees are cut and a way comodiously layed out At the Foot of this Mountain towards the South is the Lake Vico in Latin called Lacus Cyminus near it stands the Village Viro and the Castle Soriano where there was an inexpugnable Fort whence for 60 yeers the Brittons Souldiers could not be expelled Pursuing the way towards Rome you finde Ronciglione which hath a lovely Fountain and Caprinica inhabited by 500. Families beyond which lies Sutri an antient City built as is believed by the Pelasgi a Grecian people before Saturnus came into Italy The Romans taking the advantage of this City assaulted the Tuscans and overcame an Army of 60 thosand Tuscans Spoletines and Ombri It s ill ayr renders it near uninhabited Beyond Ronciglione lies Caprarola a Castle of the Farnlsies where whatever can be desired for Recreation is competently pro vided for by Cardinal Alexandro Farnese Not far distanr from it is Civita a City now of smal importance though antiently because they would not assist the Romans then afflicted by Hannibal we find them by the Romans condemned al Doppio Passing on the Via Regia one meets Rofolo a Bourg adjacent to a Lake of immense profundity two miles beyond it Campagnana and npon the same way a standing Pool where was Cremera a Castle built by the Fabii and destroyed by the Vesenti here weâ—…eslain in one day by the said Vesenti 500. Servants and 300. persons of that Family for having privatly complotted an insurrection for their Country Rome against them one Childe sleeping in a Cradle escaped and became the restorer of the Fabii in Rome More forward stands the Town Baccano and the Wood called Bosco di Baccano which was lately a harbour for Assassinates and other people disposed to ill whence it grew into a proverb when we would advise any one to stand uppon his guard to say Perche siamo nel Bosco de Baccano but through the vigilance and care of the late Popes t is almost a secured passage On the right-hand stands Anguillara a Town of much Fame whose Lords having behaved themselves gallantly have acquired to themselves and Country eternal honour The Signori Orsini possesse it and Bracciano which is entitled a Dutchy From the aforenamed Lake runs the River Arone whence the Romans convey by pipes the water they called Sabatina from the Lakes name Sabatina Towards the Sea lies the Monastery Santo Severa made now a Fort and Ceri a Castle upon the shore On the left hand of the Via Regia lies the Via Flaminea and six miles beyond Beccano Isola then Storta two Towns and thence t is seaven miles to Rome One may also travail from Bologna to Rome on the Via Emilia and so pass Imola Faenza Forli Cesena and Rimini IMOLA IMola called in Latine Forum Cornelii enjoyes a good Ayr a fruitful Territory a commodious situation for all things Narsetes in the yeer of Christ 550. destroyed it but Dasone second King of the Longobardi restored it and called it Imola Galeazzo Sforza Son of Francis Duke of Milan possessed it and gave it in Dowry to Girolamo Riario Savonese in Anno 1473. some time after t was taken forcibly by Cesar Borgia Son of Pope Alexander the 6th finally after several other Lords it became under the power of the Church who yet keep it in peace Martial the famous Poet resided here for
small Castle but placed in an admirable scite in the plain of the Strada Appia and is as we may say risen out of the ruines of the antient perfection of Towns whch bore the same name whereof some Fragments yet appear in the adjacent Fens near the Lake Fondano To speak of it with authority take these verses of a certain German Poet. Collibus hinc atque inde Lacu simul aequore cinctum Citria cui florent hortis è littore Myrti Hesperidum decus et benevolentia culta Diones In our times this Castle received a foul disgrace from the hands of Hariadeno Barbarossa Captain of the Turkish Armada who by a suddain in road took it leading away all the Souldiers and Inhabitants sacking the Castle prophaning the Churches and arrived at his Gallies clapt all his prisoners into Chains The Strada Appia is the largest and was the famousest among the other twenty eight streets or ways of note which took beginning at Rome and was called the Queen of streets because that by it passed to Rome such as came triumphing from the East Appio Claudio made it as far as Capua and Caligula caused it to be paved with square stones and lastly Trajane renewed and restored it to Brandizzo beautifying it on each side with a green hedge of Laurels Bayes Pomgranats and Mastick trees pursuing this way before arrival at Fondi you meet the Mons 〈◊〉 noted amongst the antients for the good wine it bore as Martial saith Caecuba Fundanis generosa coquntur ahenis And leaving Fondi for Gaeta in the way you see the Villa Formiana famous for Cicero's slaughter and the Castle Itri scituate among certain hills most fruitfull in Figs Olives and other fruit Mola of old called Formia Formosa from the gardens lies thirty stades thence a stade being 125 paces eight whereof make an English mile Thence three miles taking the right hand you arrive at Gaeta which Country although all along it be but a bank is so well cultivated and so lovely adorned that it may not only fascinate and entertain the eyes of the Traveller but may be said like that in the Fable The residence of the Nymphs being in truth infinitely pleasant and delightfull on the right hand of it you have the prospect of the Sea on the left Flowers-Greens and Trees which being on this and that side bathed by the murmuring Rivolets afford a most excellent savour for refreshing the Travellors wearied senses GAETA Virgil speaks in honour of GAETA or CAJETA in these verses Tu quoque littoribus nostris AEneia nutrix AEternam moriens famam Cajeta dedisti GAETA enjoyeth a Port and a Fort which heretofore Ferdinando King of the Arragonians founded in a Corner of the Promontory towards the East having then driven the French out of the Kingdome of Naples within our memory the Emperor Charls the 5th added to it the neighbouring rock conjoyning it by a bridge which may be drawn up at pleasure to the rock that is highest and so redoubled the buildings augmenting its strength with Towers and ramparts and enclosing the whole mountain joyned it to the City by Ditches and Walls from which Towers such is their contrivance the Port and the City though lying much lower receive a perfect defence and protection being alwaies guarded with a good garison of Spanish Souldiers nor is any person permitted to enter neither stranger Townesman or Country man The City therefore may be well esteemed secure since so well provided for by art with all those Forts bulwarks c. and by nature by its own scituation having contiguous with it that Promontory as t were hanging over it and almost round it the waters of the Sea being as t were in a Peninsula having but a narrow Isthmus to come to it by Land excellently defended by a bridge a Gate a Fort and the Sea waters on each side The Promontory shews it self with two Heads on that side regarding the Mediterranean lies the City on the plainest and levelled part on the other Cliffs Rocks and Praecipices which extend into the Sea t is open from top to bottom occasioned by a great earthquake and that a long time since such many times happening in these parts of Italy The old Poets and Prophets sometimes called Neptune Ennosigaeo and Sifittone for that as they feigned he turned upside down the foundations of the mountains with his Trident. The Inhabitants and neighbouring people in boats with great devotion row into that wide space and religiously reverence the place for that they certainly believe that mountain was thus cleft in sunder by an earthquake at the time our Redeemer Jesus Christ suffered upon the Cross for the salvation of mankind as in the holy Gospel we find it written that at that time the Mountains and stones were rent in sunder in the midst of the opening of this mountain stands a Church and a very rich Monastery dedicated to the most sacred and great Trinity built with the alms of devout souls you may there see a vast stone so fallen from the top of the mountain that it may be said to be sustained by a miracle between the broken walls of the opening where it begins to narrow There Ferdinand King of Arragonia erected a fair Chappel dedicating it to the S. S. Trinita which appears as in the Sea and they go to it from the monastery by a way made with hands in the rupture of the Mountain the broken stones on one side and the hollowed places whence they fell on the other when tom out by the earthquake afford an enticing object Among other things there worth a view is a shrine made by Charls of Bourbon a famous though wicked Captain of later times who in the bloody assault and sack of Rome dyed of a wound from a gunshot The bones of this bad man are enclosed in a chest or coffin of wood covered with black silk and are obvious at the first entrance of the Castle in an eminent place under it may be read this Epitaph Francia mi dia la luche Espanna m'es fuerzo y ventura Roma mi dia la muerte Gaeta la Sepoltura Englished thus by Jo. Raymond Gent. France gave me breath Spain strength to arms did call Rome gave me death Gaeta Burial But to study brevity I have deliberated to run over those things only which may afford some fruit in reading and learning to the Ingenious IN the upper part of the Temple or great Church they shew all the pretious gifts and ornaments of that magnificent house wherein the episcopal seat was at first placed after the burning and destruction of the neighbouring Formia bestowed on it by the cruel hands of the Saracens Out of whose ruines was drawn that huge Bacchical Crater or Boul which holds many of those measures of wine which are called Crati or runnelets t is made of the whitest marble and is now applyed to the use of a Font for holy Baptism Corona Pighio reports not to
Annals sets forth who writes that his father was a man appertaining to the Censor whence t is impssioble but L. Pisone must have been his Father of whom the eloquent tongue of Cicero speaks so much ill as that he was banished whilst he was Consul He was then Censor in the seuen hundred fifty and third yeer whilst Caesar Dictator warred against the confederates of Pompey Among all the greatest charges and employments which the Calphurnian family participated they only twice administred the Censorship The first time L. Pisone Frugi was Censor after the Consulacy in the 695 yeer of Rome who being Tribune of the People prevailed for that Law against the rapine of the Provincial Magistrates and the second time fifty eight yeers after This Temple is so well built that in the space of so many ages neither Time the consumer of all things nor the insolencies of enemies who have many times destroyed the rest of the City have been able to ruinate which could not come otherwise to passe theâ—… from the beams being composed of marble in which scarce a fastning appears yet the impetuous force of the earthquakes have in part moved it out of order in such sort that the right angle of the Frontispiece is faln with a part of the Title where certain ruptures appear Of such esteem was this Fabrick that the architectors were not ashamed the work being finished to place their name there being Luccio Cocino Liberta of Luca and Caio Postumi as we read in the left wall of the Church in these words L. Cocceius C. Postumi L. Auctus Architect Many other holy sacred places that were therein are either faln to nothing or at least wise very badly handled The Temple of Neptune as Cicero affirms was the most famous of which some great Fragments to this day remain near San Francesco as vaults arches huge wals other places with their nooks for the statues but its columns and high ornaments of marble are taken away Also near the Amphitheatre are the footsteps ruines of a Temple which Antonius Pius Augustus had erected to Adrian the Emperor his Father who dyed at Baia in the Mannor house of Cicero as Spartianus relates Some yeers last past many fair statues and vast peices of Columnes and Marbles were amoved together with the Elogies of Nerva Trajan and Adrian the Emperors that is to say of the Father Grandfather and great Grand-Father to whom Antonius having created them Gods had 〈◊〉 sacerdotal sacrifices of the Flamins and their companions and hence some believe he obtained the surname of Pius the Pious as we are instructed from the aforesaid Spartianus and by Julius Capitolinus The Temple of the NYMPHES extant on the Sea Shore without POZZVOLO IT seems very likely that either the Sea or Earthquakes have swallowed up the temple of the Nymphs the which we read in the 8th Book of Philostratus Cennius in the life of Apo lonius Tianeus Domitianus the Emperour built on the sea shore without Pozzuolo he writes that t was built with white stone and that of old t was famous for divination and that in it was found a fountain of running spring water from the which though any quantity were taken away t was never perceived to diminish but this with â—…nfinite other antiquities is now gone to nothing yet now is evident at a little distance from the Land near the Via Campana in the Sea a fountain of sweet water which gurgles to this day with great force whose source may be alwaies perceived almost to admiration if the Sea be quiet and calm let the studious of antiquity consider if in this place the Temple of the Nymphes may have been which conjecture will not seem far from truth upon weighing the words of Philostratus who relates that Apolloneus Trineus appeared to his two Dâ—…sciples Damides and Demetrius was in the Temple of the Nymphes on the Sea shore without Pozzuolo who were disputing the nature of the abovenamed fountain where also is the Island of Calissus to whom the successes of what happened with Ulisses they relate in the fables Furthermore as t were in the midst of the Colony remains yet a most huge Amphitheatre little lesse then entire composed of squared stones the which not withstanding its ill treatment by earthquakes the taking away many of its stones and the plowing of its soyl yet appears in its first form enlarged into a more lâ—…rge circuit then was usual for the Emperors Leandro Alberto saies that by measuring he found it to be in length in the plain within 172 foot in bredth only 92. foot Ferrante Loffredo Marques of Trevico affirms this the most antient Amphitheatre supposing it to be built before Rome lost its liberty under the Emperours from an old inscription in marble there found demonstrating under what Consuls this Fabrick was repaired at the publick expence of the Citizens of Pozzuolo which inscription although much sought for by me I had not the good hap to see Many fragments of Acqueducts are yet to be seen which either passed through or surounded the Mountains nor is it an easy matter to number the conserves for the waters made in divers formes some entire and some ruinated by earthquakes many of which are under ground and very large which who enters without a clue of thread a light or a well practised guide may dwell there for ever so intricate are the labyrinths built without gates heads or turning streets from which we may assuredly know that the Romans with vast expence thither drew and therein preserved great plenty of those sweet waters abounding on that Maritimate coast The vulgar unskilled in old history as in all things very ignorant have most injuriously expressed themselves in giving ridiculous names to these edifices calling them Piscine mirabili wonderfull fishpools Cento Celle the hundred Cells and Grotte Draconarie Dragons Caves Soe also have they handled the fountains and baths in number forty or more between Pozzuolo Misseno and Cuma of divers sorts and efficacious for sundry diseases But t is not our purpose to look back and take notice by one and one of these things having already set forth whatever is there rare and worthy view we shall therefore referre such as desire more ample and compleat satisfaction in the like objects to Leandro Alberto and the other writers herein before mentioned The description of the Antient Port of POZZUOLO SUch and so great wonders as here by degrees present themselves to the view of the Traveller as he approaches the Sea side may well entertain him for like mountains in the waters rise the immense moles of the old Port that is thirteen immense Piles which spring out of the water like square Towers which in old time were conjoyned in manner of a bridge by frequent arches but now by fortune and antiquity those gross engines are separated and the falling down of some of the Arches renders it unpassable from one to the other which
assist the oppressed Souldiers and to satisfie his curiosity in the occasion of those fires he was stifled by the ashes and vapours of this burning mountain as aforesaid where with his uncle Pliny was also G. Celius the son of his sister who related this story more at large to Tacitus the Historian And certainly waters were preserved in these Fabricks for use and delight both in Lucullus his Villa and many other places very numerous in that piece of a fair country all over which run pipes shores and chanels All the Sea shore and strond is deformed by the ruines of Towns and Villages of old full of houses and inhabitants in particular that part between Formia and Surentum moves compassion in the passers by at Sea which in the flouri shing time of the Roman Empire presented to their view at a distance the effigies of a continued City by the quantity of structures and proud Palaces beautifyed with all splendour pompous and vastly expensive and would any take that pains now as by a strict serutiny to take a particular account or to draw draughts and exquisite descriptions enough of importance might be found to satisfie his own Curiosity and to fill up a new commentary nay a just volume The Palaces were wont to be very pompous in those parts on the Maritime coasts being 150 miles in length Which was so filled with Palaces Cities Towns Burghs Baths Theatres and such other proud and magnificent Fabricks beginning at Baia and so continuing to F. Herculanus and Voliurnus that they seemed not separate but one great and fair City to which no prospect could be comparable But in this our time all things there are ruinated except Naples the head of the Kingdome and residence of the Viceroy and some other great Princes The Ville or Palaces of pleasure of the ROMANS THat we may gratefully please the studious in these things we thought it not from the purpose to run over some of the more noble Villes which the Romans had built in these parts That famous Palace then of Lucullus stood in the Terra Forma near the Promontorie of Misenus discovering the top of the near high hill and the other lesser between the port gulf of Baia where he first bought of Cornelia the Villa of Sc. Marius banished by L. Sylla which he amplified with Fabricks Gardens and sumptuous Fishpools the spaces of which Gardens appear to this day towards Cuma not far from the Cento Camere and footsteps of the Pescheries at the shore of Baia with grots and standing pools cut into the foot of the Rock by art that they might be a refuge and defence to the Fish from the scorching Sun in hot weather as M. Varro sets forth saying that L. Lucullus had given order to his architectors to consume as much money as they pleased so they made a sufficient defence for the Fish against the heat of the Sun and provided them secure retreats under the mountains so that when this work was compleated he might say he needed not envy Neptune himself for goodnesse of fish which shews that he had fishpools in many places And in the said Marcus Varro Q Hortensius the Orator reprehends M. Lucullus for that he had not after the example of L. Lucullus his Brother provided for the conveniency of his fish a retreat into the Fresco from the scorching beams of the Sun T is thought the Villa of M. Lucullus stood at the foot of the mountain Misenus towards the Isle Procyda antiently called Prochyte where under the waters may yet be perceived great ruines of Pescharies Villa Di Q. HORTEENSIO QUintus Hortensius had his Mannor house in the breast of Baiano near Bauli whereof some reliques yet appear on the shores and some are covered by the waters t is most certain and famous that he had then most fair fishpools wâ—…th some grots cut into the mountain for the refuge of his fish from the Suns ardoui so much were they then given to the like pleasures for which C. Cicero taunting him calls him God of the Sea and the most happy in his pescheries in that he had so domesticated the fish that they came at his câ—…ll when they heard his voice and much condoles the death of â—…is Muraena the Bennet fish which t is thought by sâ—…me will stay a ship if it stick to it of whom a friâ—…nd of his 〈◊〉 a pair of his Mullets he answered he woud rather give hâ—…m two mules out of his litter Pliny writes that after Q. Hortâ—…rsius Antâ—…nia the â—…other of Claudius the Emperor possessed these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pools with the same humour and that she so much loved a 〈◊〉 that she caused ear-rings of gold to be put on him in the wateâ—…s and that those places were so famous for this fact that mary 〈◊〉 to â—…auli purposely to behold it T is not certain 〈◊〉 Neâ—…o tâ—…e Emperor caused Agrippina his mother to be slâ—…in in this very Villa but if nâ—…t there t was not farr from it as may be collected from Cornelius Taciâ—…us in the 14th book of his Annals Domitia the Aunt of Nero had a Villa in that neighbourhood whereof in the 13 book of Tacitus is some memorial and Dion â—…ssius saies that Nero having poisoned Domitia his Aunt possâ—…ssed 〈◊〉 of her Livings near Bauli and Ravenâ—…a the contrary whereof â—…lius I am pridrius reports of the Emperor Alexander Severus to wit that besides many Palaces he built in Rome in honour of Julia Momea his mother he built one most sumptuous with its Pescherâ—…es calling the place Mamea which Ferrante Lofredo Marques of Trevico supposeth to stand in the midst of Baia where he likewise erected many other in honour of his Parents The Villa Of C. PISO THis stood under the mountain near the hot fountains hither Nero leaving the other charges of importance often retired for his solace as Tacitus declares in the 15th book of his Annals T is supposed that in this Villa Nero entertained his mother Agrippina at table many hours under pretence of the festival Quinquatrus a feast celebrated to Pallas five daies but with intention to make her return by night to her Villa at Bauli having before hand given order that in the return the Bark wherein she was should be sunk and she thereby be drowned as Suetonius and Tacitus relate The Villa of C. MARIUS of CAESAR and of POMPEY IN these confines likewise C. Marius Caesar and Pompey had their houses of pleasure as Seneca tells us in the second Epistle but they stood on the very tops of hills so that they had more the faces of Castles and Forts and places made purposely to protect the Countrey below then of Pallaces for solace Pliny speaks of that of Marius in the 6th chapter of the 18 book which was afterwards possessed and amplifyed by Lucullus near the Promontory of Misenus towards the Port. But the Villa of Caesar stood above Baia and on the top of the Mountain as Tacitus
testifies in the 15th book of his Annals whose vast foundations remain to this day under their old name neare the Temple of Venus That of Pompey they say was on the third Mountain between the Avernus and the contiguous Tritullian hot baths whence the surname they yet retain and there some yeers since was found a statue of Pompey The Villa Academica of Marcus Tullius CICERO Pliny in the second Chapter of his thirty first book declares that the Villa of Cicero made so famous by his writings was in these quarters between the Avernus and Pozzuolo upon the Sea shore with a most delicious grove and a spacious hall to walk in wherefore Cicero called it an Academy in imitation of that at Athens wherein they ordinarily disputed walking Here Cicero made his sepulchres and so much was he pleased with it that he often spoke of it and entitled some of his books from it Questiones Academicae Academick questions Atticus being in Athens Cicero in almost every letter recommended his Academy that he might send to him from Greece whatever could be had for ennobling it with fair ornaments wherein Atticus failed not according to the occasions in statues pictures and other the like ornaments Whence Cicero in his Epistle ad Attiticum praiseth his diligence and the things sent him Cicero being retired hither in the calamitous times of the Republique to spend away the time toyl and troubles with Books many of the Principal Romans repaired thither to visit him and take some counsel Of them was C. Caesar after the victory he obtained in the civil warr C. Octavius the Successour of Julius yet before he made himself Emperour with infinite others but after that Cicero was banished the Villa Academica was possessed by C. Antistius who was the Legat of Caesar and followed his faction in the civil wars A little after Ciceroes death in his Villa sprung up fountains of hot water good among other things for the eyes and sight celebrated by Tullius Taureus the freeman of Cicero with an Epigram set down among the works of Pliny who wrote this successe and judged that Epigram worthy of memory We must believe that this Villa stood where now the Stadio is taking that name from the length of Ciceroes hall whose ruines yet remain so distinctly as that it may be measured how long t was and although this Stadio seem to stand too far from the Sea in respect of that we read touching Ciceroes Academy yet this will not create any difficulty since the Sea may be in so long a space of time through divers causes retired because truely this Villa in Ciceroes time stood over water at leastwise conducted from the Sea by certain channels so that he eating at table might cast into the waters for the fish to eat angle and fish at his pleasure The hot fountains are extant in a neere field in a cavern underground at the root of the hill which are also of wonderfull nature because they increase and decrease according to the flowing and ebbing of the sea by day and by night in their increase they cast abundance of water into the bath and when full part of the water returns to the fountain and part runs into the Sea by a certain small chanel or gutter made to that purpose This Bath vulgarly called Bagno Ciceroniano the Ciceronian bath and by phisicians Praetense or Tritulliano is as gallant and entire an antiquity as any in the Tract of Pozzuolo These waters were so soveraign not many years since over most diseases that over every bath was written for what cures t was good of which inscription some letters yet stand but the phisicians of Palermo as they tell the story finding those waters prejudicial to their custom went with instruments expresly demolish't those writings so that for the present they are unusefull the said phisicians being all cast away in their return Thus much shall suffice touching Ciceroes famous Villa for that Leander and other writers treat sufficiently of its nature and others thereabouts From the commencement of Ciceroes Academical questions is comprehended that the Villa of Ter. Varro a most learned Roman was not far distant but the determinate place is unknown The Villa of SERVILIUS VATIA SEneca demonstrates in his fifty second Epistle to Lucullus that on the shore between Cuma and the Lake Avernus stood the Villa of Servilius Vatia the magnificence and vastness of which Fabrick may be comprehended from the fragments yet extant He saies two Caves were here built with great expence into the one whereof the Sun never entred and on the other it shone from morning to night into which ran a delicious water through as pleasant a Meadow with many Fish Hither Servilius a noble and rich Man retired himself at such time as Tiberius Caesar afflicted many noble Romans and applyed himself to honest Labour far from Rome in peace for which he was styled happy and obtained the fame of knowledge in his affaires above others by that meanes avoyding dangers Touching the dead and other notable things others have abundantly writ let this therefore suffice for the purpose of the Baianian celebrious Villa's since of the other particulars in the times of those old Roman Princes t is impossible to treat exactly all things being so wholly ruinated and destroyed that scarce any footsteps remain The old City of BAIA The most fair foundations and pitched Piazzaes of the old City Baia lye underneath the waters scarce any fragments remaining on the Land but in the neighbouring Mountains in every corner lye baths hot baths and structures of Admirable Architecture notwithstanding that many great Fabricks were burnt many thrown down by earthquakes and many swallowed up by the Earth In the Sea may be clearly seen the great old Piles of the Port of Baia like those of Pozzuolo built of Brick with intollerable expence which now seem like Rocks as do the enclosures and foundations which of old stood for defence of the Lakes Lucrinus and Avernus against the storms of the Sea which was genenerally believed to be made in this manner to wit that Hercules by his strength upon two carts abrest drew as large a peice of Earth as was requisite and that a mile in length to the place and there fixed it and therefore Posterity for a perpetual remembrance and acknowledgement of so great a benefit erected to him a Round Temple near Bauli whereof some fragments yet are extant But afterwards that repair being wasted by the Sea C. Caesar again restored and bettered it as may be collected from Virgils Georgicks and from Servius his Commentator with whose opinion Suetonius seems to accord saying that Augustus perfected the Julian Port near Baia whence t is supposed that Julius Caesar had first setled it which must have been in his first Consuâ—…lship by Commission of the Senate who gave him that charge at the instance of the Receivers of the Customs and Tolls upon their allegation that the
Pollux and Helena ravished by Paris of the other Castor and Clytemnestra Thence the hill a pleasant descent is reduced into four long Piazzaes and so levelled contains before the front of the palace four great and spatious gardens into each of which at each end and in the middle three pair of stone stairs artificially composed conduct by a facile descent whose sides are bathed by divers purling streams running towards their Lakes Every garden is divided in its orders hath places to sit in and fair collumnes erected in divers parts so that such as go walking from one part to another through places and passages covered over with leaves and vines and other verts alwaies flourishing enjoy a most beautifull prospect and no less sweet odours from the circumjacent flowers which make a pompous shew In the appartments growes fresh grasse which with the flowers by their variety wonderfully entertain the eye and fancy of whoever regard them nor can any satiate himself in the view of those infinite and wonderfull statues pillars Fountains and other objects there presenting themselves The passage from the Piazza before the Palace on the right hand leads through divers walks trees and small groves wherein are placed several Fountains as that of Tothyde that of AEsculapius that of Nigga that of Aretusa and Pandora and that of Pomona and Flora. In the descent into the first garden shews it self the Colossus of Pegasus in Pamosso a horse feigned to have wings under whose shadow a fair Fountain casteth up her waters very high and in the wood rocks is a Cavern and near them a statue of Venus Bacchus near which is a Lake into which some rivolets run among rocks with a murmuring noise between two Colossus one of the Sibilla Tiburtina the other of Melicerta the son of Athamas and Ino whom the Gentiles did honour for one of the Gods of the Sea Below which lye the statues of the Rivers Aniene and Herculano conjoined to certain vessels out of which some waters run into the Lake as also out of the Urns round which stand ten Nymphs In the midst are two Grotts the one of the Sibilla Tiburtina the other of Diana the Goddesse of the woods both which are adorned with fountains statues Curral mother of Pearl and a pavement exactly wrought with mosaick work On the other side of the garden you have a fair prospect of Rome in a semicircle round which appear her most memorable Fabricks and in the midst sits Rome in the habit of a warlike Goddesse between her seaven hills this statue is of marble bigger then a man in shape of a Virgin in a short girt coat with naked hands military buskins and a sword hanging in a belt from the right shoulder Her head is covered with a murrion in her right hand she holds a spear in the left a shield she sits as aforesaid in the midst of her wonders in the City and on every side appear her sacred Fabricks as the Pantheon the Capitolian Temples the Circs the Theatres the Amphitheatres the Collumnes the Obelisks the Mauseoli the Arches Triumphant the Pyramides the Acqueducts the Baths the River Tyber with the wolf and Twin Brothers pouring water into the City out of an urn in the midst of which running waters riseth an Island cut in the shape of a ship which bears on the main yard an Obelisk and the ship seems to be laden with these four Temples the Temple of AEsculapius in the poope and those of Jupiter Berecinta and Faustus it beares in the prow Thence descending to the lower garden you find on the left hand in a semy circle called the great a green grove placed between certain Rocks amid which run fountains this may be called the residence for birds for on the arms of the trees you see many images of little birds singing more sweetly then the natural who clap their wings as if alive receiving their motion from the aire and the waters with miraculous artifice by means of certain little reeds hid in the armes of the trees sometimes to please the spectators they will make a screech owle to appear and then on a suddain as if the birds were sensible of fear they are all silent but that again withdrawn in an instant they all begin their notes and sing most melodiously In the middle of this garden is a round standing water Lake and in it a capacious vessel and a fountain named from the Dragons which vomit out of their throats great store of waters having trumpets in their hands which also emit plentifull waters with a horrid noise imitating the sound of the trumpet On the right hand lies the Grotto of Nature adorned with many statues and in it an Organ with fair pipes the which perform an harmonious consort of various and artificial musick by the motion of the waters The next garden is not only beautifyed by the fair fountains but by the quantity of Swans and fish preserved in their several stations separated with rare artifice In the three greater fountains are certain Beacons called Sudanti and other boundaries round them which cast water very high in such quantities that in their fall they seem natural showers refreshing the air and cooling the earth making noise of waters in their fall as if the winds were high sprinkling and washing at a good distance In the midst of these conserves you see the effigies of the great Father Oceanus placed in a semicircle like a Theatre and in the middle thereof a marble chariot like that of the Venus Marina drawn by foure Sea horses on which sits a great Neptune seeming to threaten with his Trident. Lastly descending into the last garden near the rock you find in one part a Fountain of Triton and on the other a Fountain of Venus Clonina and in the rest of the level besides the Pescheries four Labyrinths difficult enough for any one to get out of that 's once in placed one by another in foure compartments amidst forreign plants The entrance and outlet of these gardens are embellisht with great Fabricks built of Tiburtine stone with great expence Thus much concerning the Villa of Tivoli of Cardinal Hippolito E stense The noble sepulchre of Cardinal Hippolito da Este in the Church will recompence your pains in the sight of it being composed with marble of various colours on it stands a great white marble statue of the said Cardinal of great cost and fair appearance The Castle also affords many worthy objects but what is more considerable is the precipitous descent of the River which falls with such noise and fury from high cliffs of mountains that for the most part its vapours render the air foggie and many times at a distance there seem to hang celestial rainbowes cloudes being at most times over it This River infamed by the writings of the antient takes its rise at the mountain of the Trebani and runs into three noble Lakes which give name to the adjacent castle called
find engraven on the said Tomb chiefly for that Suetonius testifies it was the custom by order of Augustus for the victorious Captains to accomodate the Roads with the spoiles taken from the enemies to which he â—…onnexeth this other conjecture that is that in the third elogie of P. Plinius of whose memorial or Epitaph though a part be fallen in his Mauseolus or Tomb yet enough remains to satisfie the studioâ—…s in antiquity we read among other Titles of honour that this was not omitted viz. That by the comand of T. Clâ—…udius Caesaâ—… he was elected by the neighbourhood Prâ—…rator for accomodating the Road or high walâ—…s A DESCRIPTION OF THE ISLAND OF SICILIA OR SICILY Sicilia is an Island of the Mediterranean Sea seated betwixt Italy and Affrick but between the South and West t is separated from Italy by a neck of the sea It s form resembles a â–µ in greek for that it hath three corners every one whereof makes a Promontory which are Peloro Pachino Lilibeo now called Capo del Faro Capo Passero Capo Boco Peloro looks towards Italy Pachino towards Morea and Li libeo toward the Promontory Mercurio of Africk and to speak according to the aspect of the climes Peloro lies Eastward Pachino between South and East Lilibeo between South and West On the North this Island is washed by the Tirrhene Sea on the East by the Adriatique and Jonian Sea on the South by the African Sea and on the West by that of Sardigna It was called Trinacria either from its three Promontories or from the King Trinaco son of Neptune and Triquetra or from the three points of the Triangle and Sirania from the Sirani and after that Sicilia from the Siculi descended from the Liguri who beat out the Sicani It is in circuit as by the moderns is judged setting aside the diversities of the antients six hundred twenty three miles from Peloro to Pachino one hundred and sixty miles from thence to Lilibeo 183 miles from Lilibeo to Peloro 211. It s length from East to west is 150 miles but its bredth is not equal though on the Eastern part t is 160 miles broad diminishing afterwards in bredth by degrees being most straite at Lilibeo The head of all the Island is the Territory Ennese It hath on the north side ten Islands which lie round it the Antients numbred but 7 whose names are Liparce Vulcania or Giera Vulcanello Lisca-bianca Basiluzo Thermisia Trongile Didima Fenicusa and Ericusa Sicilia is divided into three provinces which they call Valli or Vales that is into the Val di Demino or Demona the Val de Noto and the Val di Mazara the Val di Demino commenceth from the Promontory Peloro and is the shore on one side to the River Terria and on the other to the River Himera which dischargeth it self into the Tirrhene Sea The Val di Noâ—…o begins at the River Teria and with it extending it self inwards and traversing Enna it descends with the river Gela and ends at the City of Alicata But the Val di Mazara comprehends all the remaining part of Sicily to Lilibeo This Island was some time conjoined to Italy whereof the modern authors as well as antient render a large testimony though there are some who take it for a ridiculous opinion It is esteemed for the salubrity of the Ayre the abundance of terrene sustenance and plenty of all things necessarie for mans use very excellent as placed under the fourth Climate much more benigne then all the others whence t is that what ever this soyle of Sicily affords either by its own nature or the Ingenuity of man is accounted next to those which are cryed up for the best It produceth corn in such abundance that in many places it yields 100 for one Wilde Oats grow there of themselves as also the Vines which gave occasion for the Fable of Ceres Proserpina Their wines are most delicate as is the oyle of Olives whereof they make great quantities Their Canes too are admirable called Ebosia heretofore now Cannamele whereof they make Sugars Their Bee hony is there so good that by the antients as a proverb t was used the Hyblean hony of Sicily which affords great store of wax the Bees using the very tronks of trees for their hives there gathering excellent honey Their fruits of all sorts grow with much plenty and goodnesse they gather all sorts of Plants and medicinal herbs and their saffron is better then that of Italy as are their roots of wilde palm trees which are gustfull to eat The mountains AEri are so plentifully furnished with sweet waters fountains fruitfull and pleasant trees that they have many times preserved a great Army of the Carthaginians when near famishing Other mountains produce salt as Enna Nicosia Camerata and Platanim where they take out salt stones There also are the Caves or Pits for salt made of the Foam of the Sea resting upon the coâ—…sts but neare I ilibeo Dâ—…epano Camarino Macanio and other places they take up the sea water put it into pits and thereof make salt They also draw salt out of other parts of Sicily from the Lakes as near Pochino a wonderfull thing what by the rain and fresh waters falling from other fountains the Lake may be increased in a little time is dryed away by the Sun They also make here great plenty of that silk which they draw from their silk worms Nor is Sicilia lesse enriched by her Metals and Mines having Minerals of Gold Silver Iron Allum and on the banks of the River Acate grow pretious stones as the Emerald and Agat stone and the clear Bartina which is whiâ—…e in circuit and black spots in the midst and in forms of several Creatures as birds beasts men or any other which they say is an Antidote against the biting of the spider or Scorpion Soâ—…nus saies too that t will make the Rivers stop and that Pirrhus had one stone of this sort in a ring wherein was engraven Apollo with his Scepter and the Chorus of the nine Muses with their Ensigne at Graterio they dig the Beril or Sea water stone in great plenty and Porphiry stone red and traversed with white and green stroaks Here also they take up the jasper stone being red and varied with several clear green and white spots which ennobles the stone And in the sea of Messina and of Drepano there growes Corrals a sort of sea Plant much commended and sought after Sicilia is likewise Famed for the Chase of the Goat and wilde Bore for the fowling at Partridge and God wit And all other sorts of Birds and four-footed beasts both for delight and profit are there in great plenty beside the Falcon and other Hawks which there are taken The Fishing also is greatly abounding particularly for the Fish called Tunâ—…y Fish whereof they take not only at Pachino as the Antients wrote but also at Palermo and Drepano and in all the River which is washed with the Tyrrhene
possession of that Kingdom with divers fortunes till at length the Arragonians were wholly driven out of the Kingdome of Naples by Charls the VIII But the Arragonians at last regained the possession by the prowesse of Consalvo Ferrando the great Captain who drove out the French for Ferrando the Catholick King of Spain from whom the Kingdomes of Sicilia and Naples passed by an hereditary succession to Charles the 5th Emperor and from him it descended to Philip the second who left it to his Son Philip the third Catholick King who now injoyes them in quiet possession A Description of the Island of MALTA BEtween Sicilia and the River of the one and t'other shore of Barbary are fixed the two Islands Melita or Malta and Gaulo or Gozo the one distant from the other five miles but eloigned from Pachino or Capo Passero a Promontory of Sicilia which they look towards one hundred miles and from Africa one hundred and ninety miles Malta is 60. miles in circumference being all as it were a plain though somewhat Rocky and exposed to the windes it hath many and secure Ports but towards the North t is wholly deprived of fresh waters but on the western parts are excellent Currance and it produceth most fruitfull trees Where t is broadest t is 12 miles over and in the longest part 20 miles and in all those seas is there not one Island so great distance from the firm Land as this is In more then six places towards Sicilia t is hollowed and hath Ports as it were formed by the Sea of Sicilia for receipt of its Pyrates or Rovers on the Sea but towards Tripolis t is all full of Cliffes and Rocks affording no mannor of Harbour T is called Melita in Latine from the Bees which in Greek are called Melitte for that the abundance and goodnesse of Flowers causeth in this Isle the production of the most excellent hony but of late by corruption of the word we call it Malta At its first habituation it yielded obedience to King Battus famous for his riches and for the friendship and hospitality of Dido whence afterwards it obeyed the Carthaginians Whereof the many Collumnes placed up and down the Countrey engraven with antient Carthaginian Characters farr different from the Hebrean give sufficient testimony But at the same time when Sicilia was reduced to the Romans it also rendered it self and was therefore governed by the same Laws and the same Praetor as Sicilia was Wherewith also coming afterwards into the power of the Saracens it finally with Gozo in the yeer 1090. was possessed by Ruggieri Normanno Count of Sicilia till at length it obeyed the Christian Princes The Ayr over all the Island is most healthfull but chiefly to them that inure themselves to it It hath Fountains and Orchards copiously replenished with Date Trees and its soyle every where produceth plentifully all sorts of Grain and Corn Flax Cotton Wool Cummin seeds and abundance of Roses eminently sweet favoured here also they have a kind of little neat white Dogs which from their long hair we call shocks of much delight to the people The Earth is sowed all the year with little husbandry and they reap two harvests and the trees likewise bear fruit twice in the yeer In the winter every thing is green and flourisheth and in the summer is burnt up with heat howbeit a certain Dew falls which exceedingly nourisheth the Corn. At the head of a long and strait point almost opposite to the Capo Passero or Pachino in Sicilia is erected the Fortezza of Sant Ermo but on the right hand towards Sicilia are some other points and between them and Sant Ermo is a Channel of water upon one of which points is the Castle Sant Angelo and the other the Fortezza of San Michael with their Bourges between the one and the other of which lie the shipâ—… Galleys in a Channel which is locked at the utmost points with a vast Iron Chain Eight miles off which place up the Land stands the City called Malta famoused by the Reliques of very noble Edifices and by the antient dignity of a Bishoprick This Isle hath a Prâ—…montory whereon was built a most antient and noble Temple dedicated to Juno and held in great reverence and another on the South to Hercules whereof at this day huge ruines appear at the Port Euro The men of this Island are brown complexioned and their genius more approaches that of the Sicilians then any other The women are beautifull enough but fly company goe obscured abroad are kept close at home yet following the same manner of life as the Sicilians and speaking a language more like and near the Carthaginian then any other language The people are generally religious and particularly pay a great devotion to Saint Paul to whom this Island is dedicated for that here he by chance fell into the Sea and was here entertained with great humanity and on that shore where he fell in is built a venerable Chapel for their respect to whom they believe no noysome nor venemous Creature can grow or live on this Island And from the Grotto where that Saint stood are stones by many plucked away and carryed through Italy called the Gratia of Saint Paul to healthe bitings of Scorpions and Serpents In our Age this Island had and hath great splendour for its Devotion and the religious order of the Knights of Sant Giovanni or John of Jerusalem the which having lost Rhodes taken from them in the yeer 1522. by Soliman the magnificent the great Tnrk had this Island given them by Charles the 5th Emperour where they have built the aforenamed Castles and Forts that they may there reside with perpetual security In the yeer 1565. they valiantly defended the same against a most potent Armada which the same Soliman sent thither to conquer the Island and to drive out those Knights which in time to come will not contribute lesse glory to Malta then that which they reaped in times past from the general Council which under Pope Innocent the first was there celebrated by 214. Bishops against Pelagius the Heretike among others there met Saint Austine and Sylvano Bishop of Malta Soliman sent to this Attempt an Armada a Fleet of 200 sayls under the command oâ—… Piali Bassa General of the Sea a man both valiant and judicious and of Mustapha the Bassa General of the Land a man very crafty and much experienc't in warlike affairs who having disembarked and landed their Army on the 18. of May besieged and battered the Castle Sant Ermo and after many contests and attempts having beat down that wall flat to the Earth on the 23d of June became Masters of the Fort and put all the defendors to the Sword and cut them to pieces There dyed then on the Turks part Dragut â—…ais the famous Pyrat being wounded under the ear by the blow of a stone Then they turned their force upon the two other Fortezza's of Sant Michael and Saint Angelo They planted a fierce battery against San Michael which levelled the walls with the bank of the Fosse or Ditch by their falling therein but in many and many assaults which they gave to the Castle they were alwaies valiantly repelled by the Horse Giovanni Valetta a French man the then great Master a man of singular valour and prudence not failing in any thing of conduct or necessary provision that might merit the esteem of an excellent Commander At last Don Garcia de Toledo having selected sixty of the most nimble and polite galleys out of those of the King of Spain and furnished them with nine thousand six hundred Souldiers between Spaniards and Italians advanced to land them securely on the Island Which the Turks understanding forthwith imbarqued their Artillery and advanced with 8000 Souldiers to view the Christian Army who fell upon them with such ardour and fury that they immediately most basely run away and got into their Galleys leaving 1800 dead having killed but only four on the Christians side And in this manner were the Turks constrained to abandon the Island to their â—…oul shame and confusion and the great honour of Almighty God whose hand strengthning this small number clearly demonstrated that by his favour the valour of a few can oppose the violence of many VERSES composed on the Cities of ITALY translated out of the ITALIAN FOR Pompe and Pietie old Rome is fam'd Venice is rich the Sage and Lordly nam'd Naples is noble and of pleasant air Florence through all the world reputed fair Milan doth of her Grandeur justly boast Bologna'sâ—…att â—…att Ferrara civil most Padoua Learned subtile Bergamo And Genoua's Pride her stately buildings show Worthy Verona bloudy Perugia Brescia well-armed and glorious Mantoua Rimini good Pistâ—…ia barbarous Babling Siena Lucca industrious Forli phantastick kind Ravenna's styld Singalia with nauseous air is fill'd Pisa is pendent 〈◊〉 Capua Pesaro flowry and as all men say Ancona far from a good Poâ—…t doth sâ—…ray Urbin in her fidelity is strong Ascoli round and Recanate long Foligno's candied streets most pleasant are The Ladies of Fano so smooth and fair That said they are from Heaven sent to be But Modena more happy is then shee FINIS 1199. Sholes Muran St. Georgio Zuecca Lizafusina Edmond Walâ—…er Espuire Polverara Adria Euganei Monselice Estè Lendinrâ—… Rovigo Peredeo Campo Martio St. Michael Monte forte Scala Sanzen Peschiero Desensano Paltena Pulicella Bardolino Gardo Caldo. Sirmione Domo Santa Juliia Lonato Asola Oglio Reato Valcamonica Isseo Brenna Troppia Cardone Del Sole Caravaggio Cassina Soncino Crema Lodi Malpaga Vale Serina Brombana San Martino Calepio Chiusontio Manca Como Como Bersalina Belasio Monza Somasca Martosana Ro Angiera Novarra Mortara Valese Adda Pusterlengo St. Antonio Bobio Arquato Fidenti St. Donnino Colorno Bergo Bardo Aquario Vignola Carpi Panaro Novantola Agata Forcelli Râ—…ssi Colossina Panico Vergata Bâ—…aghi Porretta Poggio Bâ—…trio Rièardina Guelfo Quaterna San Pietro Dozza Pianora Scarao Scarperia Pratolinâ—… Fiesole Mugello Lucca Poggibonzi Mount Olivet Radicofano Pienza Chiuse Monte Pulciano Grossetto Bolsena Tevere Soana Castro Orbello Tuscanello Cornetto Horti Viterbo Canepina Lagâ—… Vico Sutri Cività Rofolo Cremera Piadena Gazuolo St. Benedict Stapylton 33 feet denote yeers 6 fin gers 6 months
Arno 1 To San Cassiano 1 To Le Tavernelle 1 To Sagia 1 To the City Sienna 1 To Lucignano 1 To Tornieri 1 Pass the River Orcia to Scala 1 Pass a rivolet and then ascend the Mountains to Radicofani a Castle and good Inn 1 At the foot of the Mountains pass a Rivolet To Pontecentino there pass a Rivolet troublesome in rainy weather 1 Thence a little pass the Paglia by bridge To Acqua Pendente of the holy Church 1 To the City Bolsena 1 To the City Monte fiascone 1 To the City Viterbo 1 To Ronciglione 1 To Monterossa 1 To Baccâ—…na 1 To Storta 1 To the City Rome 1  Posts 26. Posts from Fossombrone to Perugia At Fossombrone pass the River TO Quaiana 1 To Cantia pass the hills 1 To the City Giubileo 1 To the City and university Perugia 1  Posts 4 Posts from Rome to Venice The City Rome posts TO Prima Porta 1 To Castel a new Castle 1 To Rignano pass the Tyber 1 To Civita Castellana 1 Repass the Tyber  To Otricoli 1 To The City Narny 1 pass the Tyber again to the City Terni then to Strettura 2 To Prote and to Sant Horatio 2 To Pontecentemsio and the City Nocera 2 To Gualdo and to Sigillo 2 To Sheggia 1 To Cantiana Acqualagna 2 To the City Urbine the state of that Duke and a Sea Port 1 To Foglia to Monte Fiore 2 § To Coriano and to the City Rimini 2 To Bellaere and Cesenatico 2 To Savio and to the City Ravenna 2 To Primaro to Magnavaca 3 To Volani 2 To Gorro pass there the Po 2 To Fornase repass the po 2 pass the River Adice 1 To the City Chioza 2 There embarque for Venice 3  posts 40. posts from Rome to Bolonia through the province Romagna The City Rome  § KEep the same posts as above till arrived at this mark that is to the City Rimini 21 To Savignano 1 To the City Cesena 1 To the City Forli 1 To the City Faenza pass the river Lamone 1 pass the river Senio to Imola  pass the River Santerno 1 pass the rivers Salerin and Giana 1 To San Nicolo 1 Pass the rivers Adice and Savona 1  posts 29. Posts from Rome to Perugia THe City Rome pass the Tyber to Prima Porta 1 To Castel novo Castello 1 To Rignano pass the Tyber 1 To Civita Castellana 1 Pass the Tyber to Ottricoli 1 To Narni pass the Tyber 1 To the City Terni 1 To Strettura and to Proti 2 To Sant Horatio 1 To Santa Maria de gli Angeli 2 To Perugia a City and University   posts 12 Posts from Perugia to Florence The City Perugia  TO Tortè and Orsaia 2 To Castello Nartino and to Bastardo 2 To Ponte allè Valle 1 To Fichini and to Treghi 2 To Florence passing the Arno 1  posts 8. Posts from Milan to Pesaro From Milan you must go to Bolonia the way and posts whereto you have before 16 pass the rivers Savona and Adice 1 To San Nicola 1 pass the river Salerno to Imola 1 pass the river Santerno then the Senio 1 In the City Senio pass the Amone 1 To Forli 1 To Cesena and then to Sevignano 1 § To the City Rimini 1 To Cattolica 11 To the City Pesaro § 26 posts from Milano to Urbino From Milan keep the above written posts to the City Rimini 24 To Coriano 1 To Monte Fiore 1 To Foglia an Hostery 1 To the City Urbine 1  posts 28 Posts from Lucca to Genoua AT the City Lucca pass the River Serchio A Mazaroso in which stage you leave theterritory of Lucca entring the Florentine 1 To Pietra Santa 1 To Massa del Principe 1 pass the River Versiglia to § Sarezana a City of the state of Genoua 1 pass the River Marca to Lâ—…rci whence you may pass to Genoua by water as well as Land 1 To San Simedio 1 To Borghetto and to Manterana 2 To Biacco and to Sestri 2 At Sestri you may imbarque also for Genoua being five posts by water but in an ill season pass on by Land  pass the River Lugna to Chiavara pass the River Sturla 1 To Repalo and to Recco 2 To Bolignasco pass the River Besaâ—…na 1 To Genoua a City and Sea Port 1  posts 15 Posts from Venice to Genoua by the way of Parma At Venice imbarque for Lizafusina 8 To Padoua pass the River Brenta 1 A Estè 2 At Montâ—…gnana pass the River Lagnâ—… 1 To Bevilacqna 1 Passe the River Daniello to Sangonâ—…to Verâ—…nese 1 Pass the River Tanaco To Castellaro pass the Teyone 1 To Mantoua pass the Mantouan Lake 1 To Borgo Forte 1 To Mora pass the Po 1 To Guastallo a Principality 2 To Borsello pass the River Lenza 2 To Parma pass the River Parma 1 To Fornonovo on the River Parma 2 To Borga di val di tarro 2 Pass the Hills the Marca the River Pogliasco To Varasi and to Sestri 2 Pass the River Lavagna To Chiavari pass the Sturla 1 To Repalo and to Recco 2 To Bolignasco pass the Besagna 1 To Genoua City a Sea Port 1  Posts 27 Posts from Milan to Genoua To Binasco 1 To Pavia a City and Colledge pass the Ticino 1 pass the Rivers Gronolone and the Po Pancarana and to Voghera 2 Pass the Stafora and Curone to the City Tortona pass the Scrivia to Bittola 2 To Seravalle and to Ottagio 2 Ascend the Zovo andgo down it To Pâ—…nte Decimo 2 Pass the River Soseria to Genoua 1  posts 11 Posts from Genoua to Venetia by Piacenza and Mantoua The City Genova pass the River Seria To Ponte Decimo 1 Ascend and descend the Zovo To Ottagio 2 Near Gavio pass a small stream To Seravalle a Castle of the Milanese 1 To Betola 1 To the City Tortona 1 pass the Stafora to Voghera 1 pass the River Coppa To Schiatezza pass the River Versa 1 To Stradella 1 Here you quit the Territory of Milan and enter that of Piacenza to the Castle St. Gioanni 1 pass the Riuer Tidone To Rottofrenoa Castle 1 pass the River Trebia to the City Piacenza 1 pass the Rivers Nuro Relio Vezeno and Chier all in one stream and near Cremona pass the River Po To Cremona a City of the state of Milan 3 § From Cremona to Venice you will find the posts in the journy from Milan to Venice by Cremona and Mantoua marked as is here marked 14  Posts 29 posts from Milan to Guastalla The City Milan pass the river Lambro to Merignano 1 To the City Lodi and to Zorlesco 2 To Pizighitone Castello pass the Adda 1 To the City Cremona 1 To plebe di San Giacomo 1 To Volti 1 § To Casal Maggiore 1 To Barsello and to Guastallo 2  posts 10 Posts from Milan to Corezzo by the aforenamed way The City Milan  § Take the foregoing posts from Milan to Casal
which space comprehending thirty three Pillars assâ—…rds in length three hundred foot which Collumns have no Bâ—…ses but excellent HEADS The two Frontispieces thereof appear Pargetted with White and Red Marble in the midst whereof are little Ascents or Hills whereon are set thirty seven Collumnes made in the Form of Pyramids with seventy two Arches The Facade or Frontispiece backwards was lately beautified with Istrian Stone and is contignous towards the North with the Church of Saint Marco The Roofs of this Pallace were heretofore covered with Lead but the fiâ—…e that happened in the year 1574. caused it to be covered instead of lead with Slâ—…t of a certain Mettle Every Front hath one Gate The principal which is conjoyned with the Church of a Piramide Figure looks towards the Piazza or broad Place just before which stands the winged Lion and the Duke Foscaro Carved in White Marble Next within on the right hand is found a spatious Court wherein are two Wells of sweet Water whose mouthes are made with Brass garnished with Spouts and other Curiosities At the end of this Court is the Gate which answers to the Sea Then having ascended the close Stairs called Foscara on the left hand you may go round the Pallace upon the Tarrace The two Fronts backwards the one whereof loâ—…ks towards the Sea the other towards tâ—…e Piazza parallell them that are forwards except that they have neither Arches nor Collumnes below The Front towards the East on the even ground hath thirty six Arches and as many Pillars of Istrian Stone over the which there is an open Gallery of fifty four Arches and fifty five Colâ—…umnes On the Top is drawn a Wall of Istrian Stone adorned with beautiful Cornishes Just against the Principall Gate stands the large Stayer-case of the Pallace towards the North which leads directly to the Lodging of the Prince at the foot of this Stayer-case stâ—…nds two Colossuses the one of Marse the other of Neptune Upon the â—…op thereof likewise just opposite to them stands two most excellent Statues the one of Adam the other of Fve The Front below towards the Canale or Channel hath two Stayer-cases by the which they ascend to that most Royal Corridor or open Gallery wherein stand many Tribunals or Courts of Justice Opposite to the Chief Stayer-case is a Memorial of Henry the third King of 〈◊〉 engraven in Marble with Letters of Gold From the South East they ascend that most splendid Stayer-case which upon the left hand leads to the Chamber of the Prince and on the right hand to the Colledge Where the Eye is wholly taken up with beholding the most sumptuous Vaulted or Arched Roof or Seeling Richly garnished with Gold This College stands towards the East over the Chamber of the Prince whose vaulted Roof as at Venice they call it is partly guilt partly Carved with great Artifice partly Painted and wrought with Histories even to Admiration At the upper end of this Hall is exalted the Imperial Throne of the Duke and the Images of Venice figured by a Queen who disposeth the Crown upon his Head Here the Duke with the Senatours transact the affairs of State and give Audience to Embassadours as well such as have recourse to them from their own Territories and Cities as of Foreign Princes Out of which leads a door into another great Hall wherein are figured all the Provinces which the Venetians possess upon the firm Land where also are erected eleven most excellent Statues of Emperours Issuing forth of these Places and walking towards the Sea you meet the dreadful Tribunals of the Counsel of Tenne where every Place gloriously shines with Gold and costliness A little more forwards is the spacious Hall or Senate House of the Great Counsel where they dispose the publique Offices and Ballott the Magistrates which Counsel orders it self in this manner First the Duke royally clad sits on a Throne raised a good higth from the Ground On his Right Hand he hath three Counsellors near him accompanyed by one of the Chief of the Magistrates of forty for Criminal Offences Just opposite to the Prince at the other End of the Great Hall sits one of the Chief of the Illustrious Counsel of the Tenne A little from whence seats himself one of the Advocates of Comminalty In the Angles or Corners of the Great Hall stands the Old and New Auditors In the middle are the Censors The rest of the Nobles of Venice sit promiscuously in other Seats less raised from the plain ground of the great Hall Into which Counsel cannot be admitted any that is not Noble and who is not above the age of twenty five years Afterwards the Grand Chancellour having first recommended to every One their duty to elect a Person fit for that Magistracy names the first Competitor Then certain litle Lads go up and down the Hall with double Boxes the one wherof is white the other green The White forwards the Green more inward gathering the Balls which Balls are small and made of Cloth that by the sound of the fall into the Box may not be judged into which 't is cast and before he casts in the suffrage giver must shew that he hath but one Ball and also tell the name of that Gentleman who stands for those that perhaps have not well heard who 't was do it many times over again He that would exclude the Stander casts the Balls into the Green Box and he that would have him chosen casts them into the White Box which are made in such a Form that none can discern into which of the Boxes they put their Balls The Procurators of Saint Mark never enter into this Great Counsel Except at the Election of the Duke but stand under the Lodge with the Master Officers of the Arsenal while that great Counsel is gathered together for its Guard dividing among themselves those dayes whereon they ought to have this Charge But of these things for further satisfaction we referr the Reader to such who treat of them at large herein intending only to glance briefly at the most remarkable things This great Hall is seventy three foot broad one hundred fifty foot long and was begun in the year One thousand three hundred nine On its walls were drawn by the most excellent Painters of that Age the victories of this Commonwealth Its Princes with many other famous Men of Italy which being spoyled by the smoak of that Fire which happened in the year 1577. in liew thereof was Painted the History of Alexander the third chief Bishop of Rome and Frederick the Emperour with the subjection of Constantinople to the Venetian Republique The Floors are wonderful neat Towards the East is seated the Throne of the Prince over which is a Paradise Painted by the hand of Tintoretto which was formerly Painted by Guariento and fils up all that Front In the Front over against that within a square of Marble is an Image of the Holy Virgin holding in
been under several Lords in Anno 1527. it became a part of the Church Patrimony and so continues Whence you must passe the River Savio in whose Port Caesar Octavianus prepared a great Armada and then to the River Pistatello formerly called Rubicone famous not only for that the Romans made it the bound of two Provinces calling the one towards Rome Italia and the other towards the Alpes Gallia Cisalpina and commanded that no Commander of what quality soever should presume to pass that River towards Rome with armed Souldiers but also for that Iulius Caesar afterwards against the determination of the Senate and people of Rome conducted his Army over that River towards Rome where he first consulted by reason of the dangerous consequence might ensue so rash a Deed and in the end resolved and passed saying Eatur quo Deorum ostenta inimicorum iniquitas vocant Iacta sit alea and upon his demurr there he saw certain Birds fly called Augurii which to his Judgement seemed to invite him to transport those Souldiers he had commanded in France to commence a War against Rome his Mother and Country Travailing from Ravenna to Rimini on one hand lies the Sea and on the other fertile and pleasant Fields the Via Flaminia and Alpes at whose Feet stands the stately City Forli FORLI T Is believed that after Asdrubal was slain by the Roman Consul Livio Salinatore then united with Claudius Nero certain old Souldiers built a Castle and called it Livio in honour of the said Livius the Consul a mile and halfe's distance from where Forli now stands but because in the Via Maestra there was a fair Town wherein they made their Mart for Merchandize and Seat of Judicature for that cause called Foro they say that the Inhabitants of Livio after some time cousidering that t was more comodious to inhabite the said Town than their Castle Livio agreed with the Townes men to cohabite together and accordingly by Common consent with leave of Augustas which was easily obtained through the mediation of Livia his consort and Cornelio Gallo a Liviese they conjoyned those two names Foro and Livio and for brevity called the place Forli which in Latine by the name clearly appears being called forum Livii which union was made in the time that our Lord Christ was being on the Earth and 208. yeers after the first foundation of the Castle Livio Forli is placed between the Rivers Ronco and Montone enjoyes a delicate ayr with a most fertile Country in Wines Oyls Corn and Fruit together with Coriander seed Anniseed Cumin-seed and Woad in great abundance The men of Forli are for the most part gallant beyond measure and retains the martial disposition of their first Founders It was a long time subject to the Romans after them to the Bolonians and because four Bolonians banished out of Bolonia were courteously entertained in Forli the Bolonians raised a great Army against them but in a Battail received such an overthrow by the Forlesi that they never could raise their heads after it whereby the Bolonians power being abated the Forlesi yielded themselves up to the Roman Church from whome afterwards revolting Martin the 4th dismantled it and threw down the Walls consigning it to the Family Monfredi from whom it passed to the Ordelasi who again Walled it round but Sistus the 4th gave it to Giorlamo Biario Savonese whom Caesar Borgia Son of Alexander the 6th expelled and and took it by force of Arms but at last in the time of Giulius the second it again returned to the Church under whom to this day it continnes in peace and fidelity it hath yielded many learned and brave men as Guidon Bonato Rainiero Biondi and others BRITTONORO ABove Forli stands Brittonoro called in Latine Forum Trijarinorum this City is built upon a hill and above it hath a strong Fort fatal to Frederick the second it was a Town but created a City at the instance of Egidius Carrilla a Spanish Cardinal and Legate of Italy who having destroyed Forlimpopoli transferred thence his Episcopal Seat to Brittonoro in Anno 137. it participates a most happy Ayr and rich Country in Olives Figgs Vynes Fruitful Trees and good Waters It hath one place erected intentionally for a prospect where you have a full view of the Adriatick Sea of Dalmatia Croatia Venetia and all Romagna at one instant Barbarossa the Emperor at the instance of Pope Alexander the third being reconciled to the Venetians for this beautiful prospects sake requested Brittonora of the Pope for his habitation but the Pope perpending the constant fidelity of this People to the Sea of Rome prevayled with the Emperor by fair words not to take from the Churches government a place that in all occasions had demonstrated so sincere a Faith to it and so it continued under it till Alexander the 6th consigned it to Caesar Borgio his Son after whom the civil discords had almost destroyed it its Inhabitants being so prone to Arms that they know not how to live in Peace Finally Clement the seaventh consigned it to the Family Pii who yet enjoy it FORIMPOPOLI A Mile and halfe from Brittonoro on the Via Emilia stand Forlimpopoli called in Latine Forum Popilii which is one of the four Fori recorded in Pliny on the Via Emilia T was a City but in the year 700. Vitaliano being Pope Griomaldo King of the Longobardi secretly entred it on the Sabbath day when all the People with the Bishop were at Divine Service and slew all the Males and Females which done he sacked the City and levelled it with the ground It was afterwards renewed by the Forlinesi and again destroyed by Egiddio Carilla the Popes Legate dwelling in Avignone who in the yeer 1370. plowed it and sowed it with salt for its utter extirpation transferâ—…ng the Episcopal Seat to Brittonoro as afore aid twenty yeers after which Sinibaldo Ordelafo Lord of Forli repaired it and built the formidable Castle now there It enjoyes a good ayr fertile Fields and a great Ferry affording ample profit Bofello a most holy man of of stupenduous miracles was its Bishop in the Catalogue of Saints whose holy bones now lye in the Church called Santa Lucia Antonel lo Armuzzo with his Sons Meleagro and Brunoro much honoured this Country who by his Genius and strength from a mean person acquired the dignity of being Captain of the Popes Cavalry SARSINA NEar Forlumpopoli is seated the City Sarsino at the foot of the Appenines whose Citizens furnished 20000. Armed Souldiers in supply to the Romans against the French when they made a most furious eruption over the Alpes into Italy Its ayr is healthfull and Territory abounds with Olivs Vines and other fruitful Trees It continued a long time under Malatesti but when Rimini became subject to the Church Sarsina yeelded with it afterwards Leo the 10th bestowed it on the house of Pii this City gave birth to Vicino Bishop of Liguria a most holy man
and famous for working miracles which property his body lying in the Cathedral Church yet retains in operation over such persous as were oppressed with evil spirits lye expelling them As also to Plautus that antient and famous Comick Latin Poet who t is commonly held for truth wrought here at the Bake-house as a Baker for a lively-hood and when he had any spare time he composed his Comedies and sold them the better to supply his necessities Which Opinion Eusebius also confirms CESENA CEsena lies at the foot of a Hill near the River Savio which so rapidly runs by it down from the Apenines that it overflows and infests many grounds before it runs into the Sea This City hath a strong Cittadel upon the hill adjoyning to the heart of the City by means of a Pyle built by Frederick the second Emperor now near ruined T is worth ones pains to see the Church where on the roof hangs a piece of a poudered Hog nayled to it in remembrance of a Miracle wrought thus San Pietro the Martyr caused the Convent of Saint Domenick to be built in the time of whose strncture craving Almes for the Love of God it happened that this piece of the Poudred Hoggs flesh was bestowed on him whereof he gave and fed the Workemen and Labourers till the said Convent was finished and still there remained that which now hangs up there for that what ever the Saint cut off grew increased day by day in the same manner and quantity as in its first state as if it had not been at all touched or diminished It abounds with excellent wines and all other necessaries It s original is not known yet t was ever and is still well peopled It was under the Emperors the Church the Bolonians the Ordolasi Mighardo di Sussenna and the Malatesti the last of whom Malatesto Novello collected a stately Library not now so despicable also to be passed without a view in the Monastery of Saint Fraucis who surrendred the City to the Church from whom t was wrested by Caesar Borgio called Duke Valentino Son of Alexander the 6th and from him it once more returned in obedtence to the Church and so continued in quiet ever since on the Mount near it is a Church called Maria del Monte Cesena where the Benedictines serve RIMINI THe number of Antiquities through this City shew it very antient T was beautifyed divers times by Augustus Caesar and the succeeding Emperors with sumptuous Fabricks whereof the reliques yet remaining give asussicient testimony many Historians relate that t was made a Colony of the Romans before the first Punick War together with Benevento Publius Sempronius Sofo and Appius Claudius Son of the Blind being Consuls which was 485 yeers after the foundation of Rome After which t was held and inhabited by the Romans as a Fortezza in those Confines against the French and there most of the Roman Commanders designed with Armies to forein Countries were wont to make their Rendezvous signifying to their People what day they should there render themselves as Livy more plainly sets down T was called Rimini from the River Rimini which washes it The Picenti first justly held it but they were overcome by Appius Claudius who triumphed for it and dilated the Empire from Esino or Fiumefâ—…no to the River Pissatello T is seated in a most fertile Plain having on the East and West parts of it excellent plow-Lands on the South great plenty of Gardens Orchards OliveWoods and Vineyards upon the hills of the Apenine Mountains and on the North the Adriatick Sea all which as t were in emulation strive which shall exceed the other in affording of necessaries and delicacies of all sorts to its Inhabitants T is a comodious and fair City replenished with structures alla Mo derna in the Piazza is a glorious fountain sprouting sweet and clear waters through several pipes Towards the Sea are some Reliques of a stately Theatre over the River Arimino stands a Bridge built with large square Marble stones by Augustus which conjoins the Via Flaminia to the Via Emilia and the City to the Suburb which is 200. foot long in 5. Arches and 15. broad whose sides are wrought in Dorick structure upon one of which is inscribed the Titles of Augustus Caesar and on another those of Tiberius Caesar whence we compute this Bridge was finished 778. yeers after the foundation of Rome C. Calvisius and Gn. Lentulus than Consuls being begun by Augustus who much laboured to beautify and accomodate the ViaFlaminia sparing no cost and finished in the daies of Tiberius Some part of the old Port appears yet but so inconfiderable that it can onely receive small boats But how great and magnificent this hath been may be collected from that proud and stupendious structure the Church San Francesco which was built by Sigismond Maltesta Prince of this City with the Marble Stones haled out of the old Port. At the Porta Orientale leading to Pesaro is a fair Marble Arch erected there in honour of Augustus Caesar when having been seaven times Consul he was elected for the eighth he having fortified and adorned by commission of the Senate and Will of the People of Rome the five chief Roads of Italy as may be guessed from those few legible fragments of carved Letters yet remaining whereby it appears that the Via Flaminia was of great consideration Augustus having assumed to himself the care of accommodating that Road from Rome to Rimini as Suetonicus recounts and given the charge of accommodating the rest to certain illustrious Men with order to dispose what ever spoiles they took from the Enemies to that purpose For a memorial of which publique benefit are yetextant certain moneys or medals of Gold then stamped with the Effigies of Augustus with his titles on the one side and on the other an Arch with two Doors elevated over a Way on the top whereof sits Victory driving a triumphal Chariot with these words Quod viae munitâ—… sint which words declare the occasion of that great honour done to Caesar was for his care and cost in amending the high Waies publick Roads Of which Arch now wholly destroyed many Reliquesly on the Via Flaminia even to Rome But the shortest way to Rome is to go over the Hills which ly South-ward from Rimini where stands the Castle Fiore to pass the River Isauro thirty miles whence is Urbino and eight miles more is Acqualagna there to enter the Via Flamâ—…nia and travail to Umbria In the Via Flaminia on the right hand upon a Hill is Verucchio the first habitation of the Malatesta to whom it was given by Otho the Emperor and higher in the Mountains is the Bourg S. Martino in in Latine Acer Mons a noble rich and well-peopled Place which hath ever preserved it self in full Liberty nor was it ever conquered which at a distance looks like a confused heap of Mountains without way or means to ascend to On the same
Emperor of a Nymph leaning near a River judged by some to be Cleopatra and of Laocoon the Trojan with his two Sons enveloped in the twistings of the Serpents a piecemuch applauded by Pliny cut out of one entire Stone which that it might receive as excelling shapes and forms as could be carved by industry or Art Agesandro Polidoro and Asenodoro three rare Rodian Sculptors applyed their joynt Industry study pains This curious Sculpture was preserved by miracle of Fortune at the destruction of the Palace of Titus Vespasian the Emperour as also of the River Tevere or Tyber with the Wolâ—…e giving suck to Romulus and Remus carved out of one tire Stone and likewise the great Nilus leaning on a Sphinx on the heigth whereof stand sixteen Children denoting the sixteen Cubits of the increase of that River observed by the AEgyptians and every one of those Children is in such manner figured that it excellently describes the effect which at that rise and increase it wrought on the Land of AEgypt sa for example the sixteenth Child is placed upon a shoulder of the River with a basket of flowers and fruits upon its head and this Child signifies that the increase of the River to the sixteenth Cubit enriches the Earth to the production of great plenty of Fruit and brings gladness to it The 15th signifies that all is secure and well and the 14th brings joyfulness but all the other increases under 14. are unhappy and miserable as Pliny observes in the ninth Chapter of his fifth Book of Natural Histories and moreover some Creatures which are only proper to that Countrey with its plants called Calamo a Cane Colo Cassia AEgyptian Bean and Papiro called Papir Reed whereof they were wont to make great leaves to write on thereof was the first paper made thence as is supposed was that name borrowed which are no where to be found out of AEgypt no more than the Monsters to wit Hippotami or the Sea Horse whose Feet are like an Ox back and mayn like a Horse tusks like a Boar with a long winding tayl Ichneumoni the Indian or AEgyptian Ratt whose property is to creep into the Crocodiles Mouth when he gapeth to eat his Bowels and so kill him Trochili a Sea-foul friend to the Crocodil somewhat like to a wagtail or Sea Wood cock Ibidi the black stork a Bird in AEgypt which hath stiff Leggs and a long Bill wherewith when its sick it administreth it self a Glister of Sea Water Sciachi Land Crocodiles Crocodrili Sea Crocodiles which can only move the upper Jaw or Chaps And also the pourtraits of the Terrositi a generation of Pigmies or dwarfs incessant Men perpetual Enemies of the Crocodiles whereof Pliny in the 25th Chapter of his eighth Book of Natural Histories treats at large together with many other singular Statues in the said gardens of Belvedere which when seen thorowly examined and understood by intelligent Persons yeeld them great delight and satisfaction In the Bâ—…th of Pope Pius the 4th is a work of great esteem being an Ocean cut out of the fairest Marble The Antients thought the Ocean to be Prince of the Waters and Father of all things a Friend to Prometheus And that by means of the humidity and liquidness of the Waters all things seem to generate from Seeds with the assistance of the Heavens therefore they believed that every thing received Life from Water with the favourable friendship of the temperat Genius of the Caelestial Bodies This figure hath the Body covered with a thin vail whereby they would signifie that the Sea shrouds the Heavens with Clouds of its own vapours meaning by the Sea the whole generation of waters and they denote the Earths being covered with plants by the Hairs beard and ordinary skinns beingall figured by the leaves of divers tender Plants It hath two horns placed upon the Forehead First because the Sea provoked by the winds roars like a Bull and secondly because the Sea is governed by the Moons motion which they called Cornuta thirdly because the Sea is called Father of Fountains and Rivers which they figured Cornuti or horned In its right hand is put the Rudder of a Ship in token that the Waters by means of the Ships being guided by these Rudders are furrowed as best likes the Pilot of which Comodity they feigned Prometheus to be the Inventor they have placed it upon a Maritine Monster to demonstrate that the Sea is generator of many wonderfull Monsters One of which to the purpose is seen in Rome in the Antique marble sphere of Atlas placed among the celestial signes upon this very occasion T is said that Andromada contending for beauty with the Nymphs of the Sea being overcome was by them given to this Monster which devoured her out of whose body slain on the shore of Perseus who would have saved that Virgin there issued so much blood that it dyed the Sea red whence that Sea was afterwards called Citreo or the Red Sea for all which the Citreo is not that gulfe which is vulgarly called the red Sea but is that part of the Ocean affianced to the Gulph which washes Arabia on the South but now to our relation of Rome The first and cheif part whereof to be visited through devotion are the 7. principal Churches and then the others in their order wherein are preserved infinite reliques of Saints and some remarkable Ones of the holy Jesus our Lord and Saviour as the the Towel of Santa Veronica with the effigies of Christ the Speer of Longinus wherewith he was run into the Breast One of those Nayls wherewith our Lord was nayled to the Cross. One of those thirty pence which as the price of Treason were given to Iudas the Traitor by the wicked Jews all which you are obliged particularly to search out as exceeding singularities not elsewhere to be found Of ROME the Old and ROME the New and of its admirable Excellencies ROME formerly the Empress of the World cannot be enough praised Her power was so great her Riches so immense her subjects so innumerable her Territories and Dominions so vast That well might Saint Hierome in his three wishes for intermixing that concerning her with so divine things be pardonable which three wishes were To have seen our Saviour in the flesh to have heard Saint Paul preach and to have seen Rome in her Glory which had so spread her self over the whole Earth that a perfect Idea of her cannot be comprehended and must needs have been the happiest sight that mortal eye could attain to But when considered what she was and how since devoured by fire by the insatiable Nero and how pillaged sacked and thousands of mischiefs done her by the Barbarous at the decay of the Roman Empire One may well wonder how the new Rome should be even emulous to exceed the Old Being at this day the Queen of Cities the Flower of Italy and as one may say an Epitome of the whole Earth
principal Sculptors of their times and preserved in the Palace of Titus Vespasianus and found in his seaven Halls Some space from which lies Cleopatra ready to give up the Ghost of so exact workmanship and polite Marble that underneath the Marble Garments which seem to lie over the whole body the Limbs and shape of the person do perfectly appear In the same Palace and Gardens which are five some in Terrace others low beside the aforenamed not a few nor mean Vessels and statues present themselves as gratefull Objects to the Visitants thereof As to pass by others a Fountain made after a rustick manner round which stand feigned Gods and Sea Monsters very well represented Together with the Images of Pope Paulus the 2 and the Emperor Charls the 5th drawn by the hand of Michael Angelo and a statue of one of the Curiatii which is a fair one and stands where the Switzers keep their Guard In the Armory are Arms and all accomplishments for 35000. men horse and foot and over the door of it is this Motto Urbanus VIII Literis arma Armis Literas In the Constantine Hall to pass over the other things which are infinite are painted several picturs drawn by the principal Painters in all Ages chiefly the Battel fought at the Ponte Milvio and the victory obtained there by Constantine against Maxentius the work of Raphael Stantio of Urbin In the Gallery Pope Gregory the 13th for the benefit of the Popes to his great cost caused all the Provinces Regions and Chief Cities of the whole World to be artificially and exactly lymned annexing to each Province in a sweet style its Encomion This Pallace was begun by Nicholas the third augmented by his successors finished by Iulius the second Leo the 10th garnished and beautified with Pictures and other Ornaments by Sixtus the 5th and Clement the 8th so that at this day it remains a stately Receptacle for his holiness and a worthy object for all Forreigners Of the Church of Saint Peter on the VATICANO THis hath meritoriously its place among the seaven Principal and the Library Churches of Rome and will therefore require breifer account here T is the most famous and splendid of Rome On that part which is ascended by steps is a Pillar erected compassed about with Iron barrs and this inscription on it Haec est illa Columna in qua Dominus noster Iesus Christus apodiatus dum popâ—…lo praedicabat Deo Patri in Templo preceseffundebat adhaerendo stabat quae una cum aliis undecim hîc circumstantibus de Salomonis templo in triumphum hujus Basilicae hîc locata fuit In this Temple is likewise preserved the head of Saint Andrew the Apostle and the spear which was run into the side of our Saviour when he hung upon the Cross It was sent as a gratefull present to Pope Innocent the 8th by the Turkish Emperour Here also is the Porta Sancta which is never opened but in the yeer of Iubile and that finished is shut again Which shall suffice to avoid Repetition To the Church of Saint Peter is joyned the little Church of Santa Petronilla formerlâ—… a Temple of Apollo as that of Santa Maria della febre was of Mars in the Piazza of Saint Peter stands the Obelisk translated thither from the Circ of Nero in the yeer 1586. at the Instance and cost oâ—… Sixtus the 5th where it lay in neglectfull obscu rity in old times called the Obelisk of Caesar and under it were then laid the Ashes of Iulius Caesar Dominico Fontana was the Engineer It s heighth is 170 foot besides the Basis which is 37 foot more on the bottom t is 12 foot broad and at top 8. It weighs without the Basis 956148. pound the Instruments prepared for its removall and erecting weighed 1031824. pound The Removal of it we must needs conclude so admirable as to deserve a place among the great wonders of the Antients if we despise it not as is usual for that t was modern The Circ and Naumachia the place for sea battails of Nero were near herunto where they made their sportive recreations in barques upon the water and cruelly cast those that confessed the name of Christ to be devoured by wilde beasts The Borgo hath five gates to wit L'Elia at the Castle Saint Angelo That of Saint Peter under the Popes Gardens La Pertusa on the highest part of the hill La Vacina at the Palace of the Cesis and the Trionfale now called of Santo spirito near which Bourbon received à shot which occasioned his death and the surrender of Rome to the Emperor Charls the 5th The Hospital of San Spirito was first instituted by Innocent the 3d. afterwards aggrandized by Sixtus the 4th In it they govern with no less honour than love the foreign Infirm persons so that many rich Men disdain not to retire themselves thither for the government of the sick and infirm and thereto imploy their skill and time though at their own charges not having their own proper houses in Rome Of the Hill Gianicolo now called Montorio THe Hill Ianiculus is now called Montorio quasi mons aureus or the goulden Mount near it lies the Circ of Iulius Caesar where appear some fragments of the Sepulchre of Numa Pompilius which yet demonstrate 't was no great Fabrick a certain assurance that Ambition had not then in those times any great place in Rome Montorio is so called for the sparkling of the sand there Where stands a Church of Saint Peter and a round Fabrick wrought excellently Dorick wise the design of Bramante At the high Altar of the said Church is a Marble stone whereon Christ was figured by Raphael of Urbin On the right hand at the entrance into the Church Christ is rarely painted upon the Wall being whipt by Bastiano the Venetian called del Piombo Here stands the Tombe which Iulius the third caused to be built for himself then living where for all that he had not the happiness to lye dead but was buried in a mean place in the Vatican The Gate of Saint Pancratio was formerly called Aureliana or Settimiana for that it was repaired by Septimius Severus who near it erected an Altar and certain Baths without this gate you see an Aqueduct not very high through which ran the waters of the Lake Alsetino into the Baths of Severus of Filippus and into the Naumachia the place for Sea Fights of Augustus Where now stands the Temple of Santa Maria in Transtevere was formerly a Taberna Meritoria or a Locanda as they now term it being a place for letting out Chambers There stood also a Temple of AEsculapius for the deceased to whom because they believed him a God alwaies regarding and assisting to their healths the infirm had recourse and sacrificed The Naumachia was a place purposely set apart for the preparing all things necessary for Naval fights This place is at present called à Ripà in Rome where the Vessels
be the Stanza or abiding place of the Praetorian Souldiers within these walls is a spatious Concave Here on all sides ly huge Sepulchres some built in a square others in a â—…ound a third sort in a Pyramid form either with brick or Marble whose inscriptions demonstrate that they were erected for the Metelli Among which a great structure in a round form seems the most conspicuous being raised with squared white marble stones to the bigness of a Tower hollow within and open at top so that standing below one may see the skies Its walls are about 24. foot thick in whose circuit are interwoven the heads of Bulls and Oxen cleared of the skin and flesh as in their sacrifices they used them between the garlands of Leaves and Flowers The heads amount to the number of 200. Sacrificed to the God Capode Boi and the Antiquaries will have that at the famous Sepulchre of Cecilia Metella a double Hecatombe was performed At the Foot of the neighbouring Hill if you pronounce a whole heroick verse an admirable Eccho returns it whole and articulately for the most part and confused otherwhiles eight times answered In no place is heard so rare an Eccho which is said to be excited by artifice that at the Funeral of this Caecilia Metella the ejaculations of the weepers and the funeral houlings might immensely be multiplyed while that double Hecatombe was celebrating and the Funest duties performed in honour of that Matron In the next depressed place ly the mighty ruines of the Circo Hipodromo The structure hereof is attributed to Bassiano Caracalla raised in the Place where Tiberius the Emperor built the Stables for the Praetorian bands here the Souldiers exercised themselves in running riding and driving Chariots In the midst of the Area lie certain signes of the places whence the horses rushed out to their courses as also of Bases Statues Altars and meets or bounds for the Courses round it are many pictures in the midst lies an Obelisk of speckled stone called Granito flat upon the ground broken in three pieces carved all over with Hieroglyphicks branches with Leaves and animals T is supposed that Sixtus the 5th would have reared this as he did others had not death shortned his days Above the Circ riseth an entire Temple four squared with Pillars and Corridores before it Which as is supposed was dedicated to the Dio Ridicolo uppon this occasion Hannibal having slain 40 thousand Romans at the battail of Cannae marched with his victorious Army to the siege of Rome and pitched his Camp in that very place where a diffused Laughter being heard over his Camp it caused a prodigious fear and that made him raise the Siege and retreat to the Terra di Lavoro which had he obstinatly continued some time longer having created such a consternation in the Citizens he had undoubtedly taken Rome with small difficulty but as Livy saies an Affrican told Hannibal He knew how to obtain but not how to make use of Victory Thus was Rome delivered from Hannibal and the Romans in commemoration of so great a benefit received from the God of Laughter consecrated that Temple to the Dio Ridicoloso Hence you must return by three miles journey back to Rome and arrived at the walls enter by the Porta Latina near whereto is the Church S. Giovanni where t is said the same Saint was cast into boyling oyl by the command of Domitian for which a feast is alwaies solemnized in May thence follow the street to the Porta Gabiosa so called for that intending for the Citty Gaba you must march out of it where the Via Roma connexeth with the Prenestina as sometimes the Via Appia unites with the Latina MONTE CELIO Leaving the Wall on the right hand of the Porta Gabiosa you ascend Monte Celio wch runs along by the wall to the Porta Maggiore This Hill was antiently called Querquetulano from the multitude of Oaks growing thereon before the Tuscans inhabited it to whom licence was given to dwell in the Bourg Tosco because they marched under their Captain Cloche Vibenna to the assistance of the Romans against their Enemies On this Hill at this day rests no Antique thing of moment more than the infinite ruines of Fabricks One part of it is na med Celiolo where stands a Church of Santo Giovanni Evangelista called ante Portam Latinam which was antiently a Temple sacred to Diana On the top of the Celio is a round Church dedicated to S. Stefano by Pope Simplicio from being a Temple of Faunus whose antiquity threatning destruction Nicholas the fifth repaired it and Gregory the thirteenth beautifyed it with Pictures of Martyrs and Saints Curia Hostilia stood where now is Santi Giovanni and Paulo towards the Settizonio of Severus built by Tullius Hostilius different from that in the Foro Romano Here the Senate assembled for state affairs The Church of S. Maria in Domenica is seated towards the Aventino and was restored by Leo the 10th here antiently stood the Dwellings of the Albani and near them the Aqueduct for the Aqua Claudia in the Arch whereof are engraven these words P. Corn R. F. Dolabella Cos. C. Junius C. P. Silanus Flamen Martial Ex S. C. Faciundum curaverunt Idemque Probaverunt By the same Aqueduct stands a great Fabrick as a conservatory of the Waters The Castra Peregrina stood in old time where the Church of Santi quatro Coronati was built by Pope Honorius and restored by Paschal the second In those Castles they used to rendezvouz and accommodate the People for Sea affairs which Augustus used to keep in the ordinary Fleet at Niseno Between the Porta Gabiusa and Celimontana abound great ruines of the Palace of Constantine the great called now S. Giovanni by which may be comprehended the magnificent state and splendor of that Emperor San Giovanni in Laterano keeps its antient name built by Constantine the Great at the instance of Pope Sylvester formerly the Seat of the Roman Pontifices at first called Romae Episcopi Bishops of Rome but afterwards induced thereunto by the pleasantness of the Vatican Hills they translated their habitation thither building a renowned Palace near St. Peters Church Near the said Church stands Il Battisterio di Constantino of an orbicular form sustained by 8. porphyr Pillars Report saith that Constantine the Great labouring under a Leaprosie at the perswasions of his Phisicians resolved to bath himself in the blood of Infants and for that intent erected this sumptuous structure but being admonished in a dream to bath himself in holy water in the name of Jesus Christ the true God whom Helena his Mother worshipped the Emperor obeyed the Celestial admonition and was baptized in that porphyr Font now in the said Temple For the truth hereof the Reader is desired to consult his own thought It not being likely that so magnificent a structure should be built and intended for perpetrating that notorious crime which should rather be kept close and tacitely concealed
Between Santa Maria del Popolo and the Porta Flaminia is seen an Obelisk filled with Hieroglyphicks and AEgiptian Letters which Pliny writes to be one hundred and ten foot long and to contain on it the interpretation of the AEgyptian Philosophy Augustus Caesar caused it to be transferred from Hieropoli to Rome with two others which he placed in the Circus Maximus On the Pedestal is this Inscription Caesar. Divi. F. Aug. Pont. Max. Imp. X. J. Cos. XI Trib. Pot. XIV AEgypto in Potestatem P. R. redact â Soli Donum dedit The house of Antonino Paleozo affords an excellent statue of a horse and some heads as of Drusus of Julia the Daughter of Augustus of Goleria of Faustina Giovene the wife of Marcus Aurelius of Adrian of Brutus Domitian Galba Sabina Hercules Bacchus Sylvanus and Mercury And likewise the Triumph of Tiberius Caesar cut lively in one Marble stone And that of Giacomo Giacovazzo not a few excellent statues in Marble and Brass and other Curiosities Antoninus Pius in that part of the Campo Martio called Piazza di Sciarra erected a hollow Columne with winding stairs and 56. Casements to give Light within to them being 175 foot high some say it is raised with 28 stones only but in this t is not so clearly discernable as in that of Trajano for that the stayers being broke t is not ascendable On the superficies of it are wrought the Acts of Antoninus with excellent sculpture of figures from this that place is denominated Piazza Colonna Those eleaven high Pillars which are seen erected at the Church of Saint Stephano in Truglio are the reliques of that open Gallery which Antoninus Pius built conjoyned to his Palace in his Court as far distant from this Church as the Rotonda Between the Collumne of Antoninus and the Fountain of Acque Virgine were the Septa of the Campo Martio so called for that they were enclosed with several thick Plancks in which the Roman People assembled when they gave their suffrages for Election of the Magistrates They were also called Ovili for their similitude to a Sheepfold here the Roman Tribes assembled in Council That Hill between San Lorenzo in Colonna and the abovenamed Column called Monte Acitorio took its name from the Latine words Mons Citatorum where every Tribe Se'paratim rendred themselvs after they had given their suffrages in the Septa On the same Hill stood a publique Palace for receipt of Embassadors from Enemies who were not licen ced to enter the City nor dwell in Graecostasi which lay between the Counsel and the Rostri in the Piazza Romana Cardinal Santa Severina so much spoken of by the Hereticks a man of great prudence and an example for posterity erected his Palace on this Hill Not far from hence is the Fountain of Aque Virgine conveighed by a loud depressed Aqueduct over the Porta Collina the Hill Santa Trinita and through the Campo Martio now called Fontana di Trevi we read in the inscription that Nieolo the 5th restored it And this alone of all the waters which with so great costs and such sumptuous Aqueducts the antient Princes brought into Rome remains standing for the publique Benefit From the Serraglio or Septa of the Roman people began the Strada coperta wherein stood heretofore a Temple of Neptune and the Amphitheatre of Claudius now wholly destroyed At the Acque Virgine was a Temple dedicated to Giuturna Sister of Tur no King of the Rutoli accounted one of the Napee or Nimphes keep-in gamong flowers and the Countrey goddess who as the Heathens believed assisted to the fertility of the Earth In the house of Angelio Colorio da Giesi now appertaining to the Rufali are seen many statues and inscriptions and one Arch of the stone Tivoli joyning to the Acque Virgine having this Inscription T. Claudius Drus. F. Caesar Augustus In the Fountain under the statue of a Nymph now removed are found these verses Hujus Nympha loci sacri custodia Fonti Dormio dum blandae sentio murmur aquae Parce meum quisquis tangis cava marmora somnum Rumpere sive bibes sive lavare jaces Pompeio Naro possesseth two statues which were found in his Vineyard the one of Hercules the other of Venus IL COLLE de gli HORTICELLI now di SANTA TRINITA THis Hill extends from San Silvestro to the Porta Pinciana or Collina along by the Walls of the City but some draw it out to the Porta Flaminia The Gate and Hill took their name from Pincius the Senator whose magnificent Palace stood here and the footsteps of it are yet visible at the walls of the City upon this Hill was the Sepulchre of the Domitian Family here likewise Nero was buried On the top of this hill remains an Arch or roof which formerly was part of the Temple of the Sun near whereto lies an obelisk of Thasian stone with this inscription Soli Sacrum The Church Santa Trinita now occupied by the Minime Fryars was built by Lewis the XIth King of France wherein are some Tombes of Cardinals as of Antonio Moreto and Cardinal di Capri. At the Porta Collina near Santa Susanna Salustius as aforesaid had most pleasant gardens and a splendid dwelling whose ruines yet appear in the Vale leading to Salara Here stood an Obelisk now translated elsewhere sacred to the Moon engraven with AEgyptian Hyeroglyphicks The place is yet vulgarly called Salostrico The Campo Scelerato or the Via Scelerata where the deflowred Vestal Virgines were buried alive compleated all that space from the Porta Collina under the house and gardens of Salustius to the Porta Salaria Without the Porta Salaria called also Quirinale Collina and Agonale lye the ruines of the Temple of Venus Erycina whose Feast was celebrated with solemn ceremonies by chast Matrons in the month of August to the Image of Venus Ver ecordia which Goddess was supposed to render the Husbands placable and benevolent to their wives in this Temple they likewise celebrated the Agonalian games whence t was named Agonale Three miles without the City over the Aniene stands an entire Bridge which a long inscription shews to have been built by Narsetes t is said that Hannibal being on this Bridge vexed with a vehement rain raised the siege of Rome removed his Camp and departed A little below which the Tyber commixeth with the River Aniene and here Torquatus overcame that French Gyant from whose neck he took that golden neck chain which because in Latine called Torques gave him the surname of Torquatus T is worth observation That the Water drawn out of the Tyber above the City towards the Sea maintains it self wholesome and clean for many yeers which comes to pass from the mixture of the River Aniene with the Tyber The water of the Aniene being thick and polluted with Nitre which preserves it and occasions that it cannot putrify without difficulty and the inhabitants along the Tybers banks above where the Aniene commixeth with the Tyber mingle the waters
otherwise then by enchantment or witch craft which made him mock at the plebeian simplicity laughing at the vulgar who for the most part attribute that to the Magick art which appears wonderfull and produceth stupendious effects from their incapacity to comprehend the cause but to return to our voyage From the Bucca Coronea we are brought to Zolfettara as at present they call those places which were of old celebrated with the invention of various fables of old Poets for these wonders of nature who sing that the Gyants buryed under this mountain even from hell cast forth of their throats Flames at that time when earthquakes happen Et montes scopulos terrasque invertere dorse These Mountains are full of Sulphure Allum and Vitriol the chief whereof as Strabo writes stood pendent at a few paces distance from the Colonna of Pozzuolo now distant from the castle Novo about a mile from the form of which place t is guessed that the top of this Mountain was at last consumed and emitted into the profundity of the near valley by the continual fires whence that which of old was a high and eminent top or head is now a great ditch in the plain of a valley and that which was of old the ribs and flanks of a mountain are now the upper part of shelfs and rocks which surround the plain with a certain fence in length about a thousand and fifty foot in bredth about a thousand foot Pliny writes that they were nominated from their whiteness Leucogei and the plain or Level Campagna Phlegerea from the flame and fire there ever extant which Silius the Italian confirms Cornelius Strabo calls this place the Piazza and shop of Vulcan where likewise some fable the Gyants to be overcome by Hercules here the Mountains seem continually to burn at their roots for that on all sides they emit smokes by many mouths which smell of sulphure which smokes are blowen by the wind all over the neighbouring Countrey and sometimes to Naples Antiently these Hills as we draw from Dion Cassius and Strabo emitted greater fires as also those about the Lucrino and Averno which are not a few burnt and emitted like furnaces gross smokes and flames Now the plain as also the hill Phlegrei are deprived of their perpetual flames and are cavernous in many places and become yellowish as from the materiall and colour of sulphure the earth when spurned by the foot resounds like a drum through its concavity underneath where you may hear with wonder under your seet boyling waters grosse and inflamed smokes to make a horrid noise and run too and fro through the subterranean Caverns which the force of the exhalation hath made which how great you may thence guesse stop any of those mouths or holes with a good great stone and you shall suddenly and with violence see it amoved by the strength of the smoke Here they compose medicinable pots of brimstone In the same plain or level lies also a great marish filled alwaies with a black scalding hot water which sometimes useth to change place and the waters making themselves hard as tryed sewit useth being cold to bind it self to the sides of the Vessel t is melted in do thereby and with the force of the exhalation increase or diminish When I was there it boyled with great noise and smoke as if it had been a huge chauldron filled with blackish mud and therefore exceeded not then its bounds and limits but I remember that at my view thereof this Vorago mounted and cast up of asudden like a Pyramides eight or nine foot high beyond the common stature of man that thick water yellow and of the colour of sulphure which also the people of Pozzuolo affirm adding that sometimes t will rise from sixteen to twenty four feet When the Sea is in a storm this water is of various colours though for the most part like sulphure and sometimes other according as the subterranean winds are disturbed by the sea blasts and being in vigoured among the flames with all possible force expels some of the earth mixed with divers colours from the deepest veins These very winds when most quiet under ground the top of the Fens or moors being only disturbed cause a gross thick water coloured with black to be cast out These things of such occult nature do certainly afford usefull and welcome matter for consideration and study to such as love to search thereinto which Cicero very pertinently terms the natural food of the mind And hence we certainly know that the globe of the earth is not in every part solid and massy but in some places hollow cavernous and full of vains and pores like as is the living body of any animal and that with the continual motion of the imbodied elements water and air it becomes penetrated and is by the same nourished increased or diminished together with its several kinds and changes of plants and that the earth soops up vast quantities of the Sea waters disperst on it by means of those pores the which being encountred by some fierce winds occasion a motion of those waters in its inmost part and in the straitest passages and the same winds there split in sunder among the rocks and stones grow violently hot and kindle vast fires the which conâ—…uming whatever they meet empty the internal parts of the earth and drawing to themselves through those pores the neighbouring winds together with great smokes they there augment beyond measure searching out an egresse with horrible noise and shakings of the earth and mountains Pellunt oppositas moles ac vincula rumpunt As more at large Cornelius Severus a most learned Poet hath declared in his AEnea and hence proceed the earthquakes whirlpooles and openings of the earth the forcing out of flames the rivolets of fire boyling fountains and hot vapours Dion Cassius writes that in his time the said Mountains of Pozzuolo had more fountains of running fire in the likeness of water that through the excessive heat the water took fire and burnt and the fires with the mixture of the waters acquired a fluxible corpulency in such sort that these contrary elements did not separate and we find even in our time that the flames and sulphure conserve and nourish themselves in these waters and that they endure for so many ages and never consume but alwayes continue and gush out in the same conduits the which Severus the Poet graciously sets down in these verses Atque haec ipsa tamen jam quondam extincta fuissent Ni furtim aggeneret secretis callibus humor Materiam silvamque suam pressoque canali Huc illuc ageret ventos pasceret ignes So also he writes of the Phlegrean Fields and of the same place between Naples and Cuma whereof we now discourse viz. Ejus ab aeternâ—… piâ—…guescens ubere 〈◊〉 In merces legitur As at present the King exhausts a great toll from that brimstone and merchandize of allum Wee observe furthermore
must have been caused either from earthquakes or the furious Sea the whole fabrick being composed of burned earth like bricks of two foot square not easily to be divided and broke down by any other accident T is certainly known that when this Port was in being it extended it self into the Sea in form of a large bridge and bending it self in the fashion of a bow reached the shore and the Avernus and so defended the place from the raging force and storms of the Sea whose haughtinesse was comodiously bridled by means of those Moles And t is believed that the Antients there made those Arches to the end that through them the sea waters might enter into the Port and by its continual flowing and ebbing keep it cleansed of the mud which the rivers and rain waters brought down in to it from the Terra firma and the neighbouring hills through which in their course to the Sea those waters must first passe and it had not been possible to avoid the filling up of that port in few yeers by that perpetual inroad of durt had not the Sea waters through those Arches continually purged it of that mud and filthinesse so drove into it and this the inconvenience in the port of Naples and divers others who are only surrounded with a bank without arches sufficiently proves Suetonius in the life of Caligula from its vastnesse calls it the Mole of Pozzuolo from whence thorough the midst of the Gulf of the Sea Caligula as he writes to shew his greatness and vanity and to be able to tread and walk on the Sea as well as upon the Land or as Dion saies because he would imitate King Xerxes who passed his Army out of Asia into Europe over the streight of Hellespont upon a wooden Bridge commanded to be brought together and new built all the ships he could get which were infinite and therewith caused a Bridge to be made with the said Ships set in two Banks fastened and moored together with anchors chains and cables which made them stand fixt and firm and extended even to Baias through the gulf of the Sea he commanded this bridge to be made of boords so strong and even and to lay so much earth upon the same as it seemed to be firm ground and one of the streets of Rome like the Strada Appia This being finished he proudly attired in Robes of Gold and pearl and a crown of Oaken boughes on his head called Civica on horseback entred at one end of the bridge and road to the other accompanyed with the Band of the Pretorian Souldiers and all the Nobles and Gentlemen of Rome and the next day returned habited like a Campanian in a Chariot with a great multitude of his Friends Dion writes that the night he lay on this bridge he caused such an infinite number of Torches lanthorns and other Lights to be lighted and set up that the clearnesse thereof did exceed the darknesse of the night Caligula boasting that he had made of the night day and of the Sea Land because it happened that these two days the Sea was calm he said that Neptune did it for feare to do him Reverence Suetonius adds that Caligula having invited many who being on the shore ready to goe on the Bridg where himself was he turned them all over breaking the bridg and commanded some that endeavoured to catch hold of the ropes of the Vessels to be forced into the water with oars and other staves which served for a jest and pleasant spectacle to this Monster Seneca in his 78th Epistle calls this Machine by the name of Pila saying Omnis in Pilis Puteolanorum turba consistit cum Alexandrinarum navium conspicitur adventus And therefore this Machine in a serene sky served to those of Pozzuolo to passe and walk on as if they had been in a Piazza At the entrance on this Mole as aforesaid was a large Arch built of Marble dedicated to the Emperor Ant onius Pins by those of Pozzuolo by way of gratitude for his remembrance of their Republique with liberality in moneys for repairing the Port as we find from that piece of an Elogy aforementioned here set down for the benefit of such as delight in these particulars AEsari Divi hici Nepoti Divi onino Aug Pio olonia Flavia uper Caerera Benus Pilarum vigin quo et Munition The entire contents whereof cannot easily be comprehended from these few remaining characters but may in some sort be supplied from the said words and the marks of the Lines wherewith those characters appeare which being formed to our thoughts seem after manner Imp. Caesari Divi Hadriani filio Divi Trajani Parthici Nepoti Divi Nervi Pron T. AEl Hadriano Antonino August Pio. Pont. Max. trib pot coss pp. Colonia Flavia Aug. Puteo lanorum Quod super caetera beneficia ad hujus etiam tutelam Portus Pilarum viginti molem cum sumptu fornicum Reliquo et munition ex aerario suo largitus sit Julius Capitolinus much favors the subject of this elogy by what he writes in the life of Antoninus Pius to wit that he gave moneys to many Cities to the intent they should either erect new publick structures or restore the old The Promontory of MISENO THus having viewed the old and great foundations of the Piazzza and the Port passe by bark directly from the Mole to the Promontory of Miseno famous and immortal by the verses of Virgil and the writings of other good Authors This mountain lies in the Sea and is boared and hollow full of grotts and caverns which made the Poet much to the purpose and with no lesse ingenuity to stile it AErio or ayry as if he would denote it windy by reason of the waies and concavities in it self saying further that under it AEneas gave sepulture to Misenus his dead Trumpeter man of oars or as Servius writes afterwards sacrificed to the Avernus as in his sixt he saies Imponit suaque arma viro remumque tubamque Monte sub AErio qui nunc Misenus ab illo Dicitur aeternumque tenet per saecula nomen Seeming by the Oare and the Trumpet to glance at the future famousnesse of that Port and of the Armada or Fleet which Augustus had then placed there for defence of the Mediterranean Sea under E. M. Agrippa And Dion commemorates that Augustus being made Captain made use of it for the harbour of the Fleet in the Sicilian warr against Sextus Pompeius where they then lay in the sea between Miseno and Cuma environed with hills in form of a crescent a place very capacious and more then opportune for the Navy at Sea by reason of those three gulfes of the Sea scituate between Baia and Pozzuolo that is the Lake of Baia the Lucrino and the Averno the which Lucius Florius calls by a most gratious Metaphor the Ease of the Sea of which the Averno now called Mare Mortuum being included where it issueth out with fand seems a
Sublaco which Lakes Tacitus seems to call Simbrivini saying in the 14th Book of his Annals that near them stood the Villa Sublacense of Nero in the confines of Tivoli from which Lakes the Aniene running afterward through woods and mountains falls at last in the plain near Tivoli from high stones with fury and noise then it goes some space under ground and at the foot of the mountain returns all again above ground it runs through the three sulphurious veins called Albule from their white colour T is said and Strabo confirms the water there to be medicinal in drinking or Bathing and Pliny writes that they heal the wounded Nor does the Albule only but also the Albunea above Tivoli consolidate wounds Regarding the Campania of Tivoli about the Aniene you will find huge stones encreased by little and little in long time by vertue of the waters running by and in the bottome of Lakes there you 'l find of hard stones generated by the same means In this confine are many footsteps of old edifices worthy contemplation Tivoli having been a most noble City and well Inhabited through the beauty of its scite the goodnesse of its soyle and the salubrity of the aire which made it be surrounded with the fair Villa's and Lordly houses of the rich persons of that Country although now like Rome and all Italy also it lies waste and ruinated by the various warrs and successes which have destroyed it T is certain that Greeks were the builders of this City but who they were is not certain the writers of the Italian antiquities not agreeing herein yet the greater part say that Catillo was its founder who some say was of Arcadia and Captain of Evanders Navy Others affirm Argivâ—…s the son of Amfiardo the Southsayer after the prodigious death of his Father near Thebes came by command of the oracle with his family and Gods long before the Trojane warr into Italy and by the assistance of the Enotri Aborigeni drove the Sicâ—…li out of that place naming the Castle taken from them Tibâ—…re from his eldest sons name Nor does Pliny much disagree from this though he does not wholly agree with it for in the 16th of his natural History writing of the ages of Trees he saies that in his time there stood 3 Holme Trees by Tivoli near to which Tiburtio the builder of that Castle had received augure to build it But saies he was the Nephew not the Son of Amfiardo and that he came with his two Brothers Lora and Catillo one age before the Trojane warr and that he there caused the Castle to be built calling it after his own name because he was the elder in which opinion Virgil in his AEneides seems to concur but Horatiâ—…s on the other part calls Tivoli the walls of Catillus pursuing the others opinion from which expressions we conjecture that the City Tivoli was before Rome Those of Tivoli held Hercules in reverence above the other idols as Protector of the Graecian people at whose festivity infinite people resorted thither In it was also a Temple for the Sorti lotts or chances no lesse famous for their oracles then that in Bura or in Achaia a countrey of Morea mentioned by Pausanias whence the Poet Statius saies that such was the beauty of the place that even the Sorti Prenestini would have chosen it for giving their answers had not Hercules first possessed the place Thâ—…se are his words Quod que in templa dâ—…rent alias Tyrinthia sortes Et Prenestinae poterant migrare sorores He calls the Sorti Sisters for that good and bad Fortune were reverenced as two Sisters T is thought that Temple under the mountain in the way of Tivoli was that famous Temple of Hercules but this people had another Temple dedicate to the same God yet called Hercules Saxanus as appears by the subsequent inscription found in a Piazza attaqued to a particular house Herculi Saxano sacrum Ser. Sulpicius Trophimus AEdem Zothecam Culinam Pecunia sua a Solo Restituit Eidem Dieavit K. Decemb. L. Tupilio Dextro M. Maccio Rufo Cos. Euthycus Ser. Peragendum Curavit But we cannot conclude with certainty where this other Temple stood yet many agree that t was called Hercules Saxanus in respect t was built with stone differing from the other greater Temple just as the Milanesi called one Hercules in Pietra from the scituation of that Church in a stony place near them Upon the stone ariseth a certain antient round Fabrick without covering built wiâ—…h marble in rare architecture of much esteem which possibly might be the Temple of Hercules Saxanus t is near the Cataracts which augments this suspicion for that the Antients usually placed their Temples consecrate to Hercules near waters long ports and violent falls of waters to the end that Hercules by them esteemed the Protector of the firm Land might cause the water to continue in its limits and not infest the country with inundations the which Statius clearly shewsin the 11th Book of woods speaking of the Villa 〈◊〉 of his Pollius which stood on the sea shore near a port with a Temple of Hercules and another of Neptune neare it whose verses now take Ante domum tumidae moderator caerulus undae Excubat innocui custos laris Hujus amico Spumant Templa salo foelicia jura tuetur Alcides gaudet gemino sub nomine portus Hic servat terras hic saevis fluctibus obstat He feigns also in his third book that Hercules having layed aside his arms laboured much in preparing the foundations of his Temple in that place and with great strength prepaâ—…ed the instruments for digging the earth for thus the Pagans or Gentiles beleived viz that Hercules during his life went through the world operating for the publick good of Mankind what ever was difficult or laborious to be effected as not only in the taming and killing of Monsters â—…emoving Tyrants reducing unjust Lords to the terms and conditions of Justice and chastising the bad and evil ones But also in building of Castles and Cities in desert places ports and securities for shipping on dangerous shores reducing bad and irksome waies into good changing the chanels of damnifying Rivers breaking the course of the waters where requisite for preservatioÌ„ of the firm Land setling peace between disagreeing nations with just Laws opening the method way of dealing and negotiating between people far eloigned from one another and insum reducing into a state of civility such as were wilde and fierce wherefore they built him Temples created him a God and devoutly honoured him giving him several surnames according to the diversity of the places where they adored him or the quality of the benefits which the people held they received from him or according to some great work which they supposed he had done Whence the western parts of the world had Hercules Gaditani when on the north side of the straight called of old Fretum Herculeum was Mount Calpe on the South
Sea this fish bears a great price in May or June as also of the sword fish particularly at Messina which t is written they cannot take unlesse they speak Greek and to say no more both the Seas and the Rivers abound with all sorts of excellent fish They have also in divers places many baths of hot cool sulphurous and other sorts of water usefull and advantagious in several Infirmities but those are in the River Sen◅ntina near the Cities Sacra and Himera are salt and un wholsome to drink We will not speak of the Fountains of sweet water that are found over all Sicilia and many Rivolets accommodated as well for the life of Man as the enriching their Lands by the overflowing And to speak in brief this Island is not at all inferiour to any other Province either for its fatnesse or abundance but somewhat exceeds Italy in the excellency of their grain saffron honey Beasts skins and other sustenance for the life of Man in so much that Cicero not improperly called it the Granary of the Romans and Homer said that all things grew there of their own accord and therefore calls it the Isle of the Sun Sicilia is likewise admirable for the fame of those things which told exceed our beleef as the Mount Etna Mongibello who sending forth continual fires from its bowels hath not withstanding its head on that part where the fire issues deeply covered in snow to the midst of Summer Not far from Agrigento or Gergento is the Territory Matharuca which with assidu al vomiting of divers veins of waters sends forth a certain Ash coloured Earth and at certain times casting out an incredible Mass of that Earth the one and the other Fields may be heard to roar In Menenino is the Lake Nastia called by Pliny ◅fintia where in three eddies you behold boyling water which alwaies gurgles with an egregious stink and somtimes spues up flames of fire hither antiently resorted all such as through their superstition were to be sworn to any thing It hath likewise in sundry other places divers other Fountains of admirable Qualities and nature for an ample account whereof the reader is referred to Thomaso Fazellio to the end we may abridge our relation here Sicily was inhabited by the Cyclopes which is verified besides what Authors affirm by the bodies of immense bignesse and heigth which in our daies are seen in the Grots or Caves Those Cyclopes being monsters of Men or Gyants whom the Sicani succeeded and them the Siculi or Sicilians Then the Trojans the Candiots the Phenici the Calcidonians the Corinthians and other Greeks the Zanclei the Guidii the Sarasini the Normans the Lombards the Swedes the Germans the French the Arragonians the Spaniards the Catalonians the Genouans and at length many Pisans Lucchesians Bolognians and Florentines all which people at several times inhabited divers parts of this Island untill Charls the fifth Emperor took Corona and after a little time leaving it to the Turks all those Greeks that dwelt there transported themselves into Sicilia The People are of an acute and quick wit noble in their inventions and industrious by nature and said to be of three tongues for their velocity in speech wherein their expressions proceed with much grace to facetiousnesse and quicknesse they are held loquacious beyond measure whence the Antients borrowed the proverb Gerrae Siculae the Sicilian bablings Antient writers attribute the following things to the invention of the Sicilians the art of Oratory the Bucolick or pastoral verse dyall making the Catapul◅e a warlike engine the illustrating of Pictures the Art of Barbing the use of skins of wilde beasts and Ryme They are by nature suspectfull envious evil spoken facil to speak Villany and prone to revenge but industrious subtle flatterers of Princes and studious of Tyranny as saies Orosie which at this day does not so generally appear They are more covetous of their own commodities or conveniences then of the publiques and reflecting on the abundancy of the Countrey sloathfull and without industry Antiently their tables were so splendidly furnished that it became a Proverb among the Greeks but now they follow the frugality of Italy They are valiant in warrs and of uncorruptible faith to their King beyond the custōme of the Greeks they are patient but provoked they leap into extream fury They speak the Italian Language but roughly and without the least sweetnesse and in their habits and other customes live after the manner of the Italians MESSINA THat City of Sicilia that is most illustrious is Messina built with the ruines and reliques of the City Zancla at a thousand paces distance from hence came Dicearchus the hearer of Aristotle the most celebrious Peripatetick Geometritian and eloquent Oratour who wrote many books whereof Fazellius makes mention and Ibicus the Historian and the Lyrick Poet and in the memory of our Fathers times lived there Cola the Fish born at Catana who leaving human society consumed the best part of his life among the fish in the sea of Messina whence he acquired the nick name of fish Hence came also Giovanni Gatto of the preaching order a Philosopher Divine and famous Mathematician who read in Florence Bologna and Ferrara and was afterwards elected Bishop of Catano and lastly hence came Gio Andrea Mercurio a most worthy Cardinal of the holy Church Here stood the City Taurominio which gave birth according to Pausanias to Tisandro Son of Cleocrito who four times overcame in the Olympick Games and as many times in the Pythick and Timeus the historian son of Andromacus who wrote of the transactions in Sicilia and Italy and of the Theban warrs CATANA IT hath also the City Catana one part whereof is washed by the Sea and the other extends it self to the foot of the Mountains where antiently was the Sepulture or burying place for famous and illustrious persons as of Stesicorus the Poet Himerese Xenofane the Philosopher and of two young Brothers Anapia and Anfinomo who the fire of AEtna raging and burning all the Countrey round took up upon their shoulders the one his Father the other his Mother but being disabled by the weight to proceed with speed and the fire overtaking them and at their very feet yet lost not their magnan imity and courage but when almost in despair the fire on a suddain divided it self before them and so they miraculously escaped safe In this City is a Colledge for all the sciences but most particularly they here study the Civil and Canon Laws and from her have issued many illustrious persons as Santa Agatha which the Palermitans will call of their City a Virgin Martyr who under Quintiano in the yeer of our salvation 152 suffered Martyrdome for Christ and Carondo the Philosopher and Legislator and he that was reputed the great Magus Diodorus or Liodorus Hence came also Nicolo Todisco called the Abbot or Panormitano the great Cnnonist and Cardinal who wrote so many books of the Canon Laws