Page:The Natural History of Pliny.djvu/194

and Detunda^[1], and the river Singulis^[2], which falls into the Bætis on the same side.

The towns in the jurisdiction of Hispalis are the following: Celti, Arua^[3], Canama^[4], Evia, Ilipa^[5], surnamed Illa, and Italica^[6]. On the left of the river is the colony of Hispalis^[7] named Romuliensis, and, on the opposite side^[8], the town of Osset^[9], surnamed Julia Constantia, Vergentum, or Julî Genius^[10], Orippo, Caura^[11], Siarum, and the river Menoba^[12], which enters the Bætis on its right bank. Between the æstuaries of the Bætis lie the towns of Nebrissa^[13], surnamed Veneria, and of Colobona^[14]. The colonies are, Asta^[15], which is also called Regia, and, more inland, that of Asido^[16], surnamed Cæsariana.

The river Singulis, discharging itself into the Bætis at the place already mentioned, washes the colony of Astigi^[17], sur-

present day it is noted for the pride of its nobles. The Great Captain Gonzalo de Cordova used to say, that "other towns might be better to live in, but there was none better to be born in." It was the birth-place of Lucan and the two Senecas.

1. The site of these two places is unknown at the present day.
2. Now called by the similar name of Genil or Xenil.
3. Perhaps the present Alcolea.
4. Perhaps the Cantillana of the present day: there is, however, the greatest uncertainty as to the sites of these places.
5. According to Hardouin, the modern city of Penaflor: D’Anville places it about two leagues thence, and near the city of Lora.
6. Now Sevilla la Vieja, or Old Seville; called by the lower classes Santi-pone.
7. Now Seville. This colony was founded by Julius Cæsar, and also bore the name of Julia Romula.
8. Or north side of the river.
9. Probably on the site of the present Alcala del Rio.
10. 'The [good] genius of Julius,' probably meaning Cæsar. Nothing seems to be known of its site.
11. Caura may be the present Coria, a town three leagues from Seville,
12. Probably the Rio Guadalete.
13. Either the present Sebrija, or in the vicinity of the city of San Lucar.
14. Probably the present Bonania.
15. Probably between Trebujena and the city of Xeres. It was the usual place of meeting for the people of the territory of Gades; and its importance may be judged from its appellation ‘Regia' or 'royal,' and its numerous coins. Its ruins are still to be seen on a hill there.
16. It is not improbable that this was the present city of Xeres. Some geographers however take it to be that of Medina Sidonia, and look upon Xeres as the site of the ancient Asta.
17. Now Ecija. It stood on the plain of the Bætis, some distance south of the river, on its tributary the Singulis or Xenil.