town of Pyræ; and we then come to the colony of Minturnæ[1], which still exists, and is divided[2] by the river Liris, also called the Glanis. The town of Sinuessa[3] is the last in the portion which has been added to Latium; it is said by some that it used to be called Sinope.
At this spot begins that blessed country Campania[4], and in this vale first take their rise those hills clad with vines, the juice of whose grape is extolled by Fame all over the world; the happy spot where, as the ancients used to say, father Liber and Ceres are ever striving for the mastery. Hence the fields of Setia[5] and of Cæcubum[6] extend afar, and, next to them those of Falernum[7] and of Calinum[8]. As soon as we have passed these, the hills of Massica[9], of Gaurus[10], and of Surrentum rise to our view. Next, the level plains of Laborium[11] are spread out far and wide, where every care is bestowed on cultivating crops of spelt, from which the most delicate fermenty is made. These shores are watered by warm springs[12], while the seas are distinguished beyond all others for the superlative excellence of their shell and other fish.
- ↑ Its site is occupied by the present Trajetta. In its marshes, formed by the overflow of the Liris, Caius Marius was taken prisoner, concealed in the sedge.
- ↑ The town of Minturnæ stood on both banks of the river.
- ↑ Its ruins are probably those to be seen in the vicinity of Rocca di Mondragone. It was a place of considerable commercial importance. On its site Livy says there formerly stood the Greek city of Sinope.
- ↑ "Felix illa Campania."
- ↑ Now Sezza.
- ↑ A marshy district of Latium, extending about eight miles along the coast from Terracina to Speluncæ, famous in the time of Horace for the first-rate qualities of its wines.
- ↑ A district famous for its wines, extending from the Massican Hills to the north bank of the Volturnus.
- ↑ According to Hardouin, the town of Calenum was on the site of the present Calvi near Capua.
- ↑ Now called Monte Marsico, and as famous for its wine (called Muscatella) as it was in the Roman times.
- ↑ Now Monte Barbaro. The wines of most of these places will be found fully described by Pliny in B. xiv.
- ↑ More fully mentioned, B. xviii. c. 29, where the 'alicæ' or fermenty made from the spelt grown here is again referred to.
- ↑ Of Baiæ, Puteoli, and Stabiæ, for instance.
miæ to have been built by Lamus, one of their kings. It is more probable however that it was founded by the Laconians, from whom it may have received its name of Hormiæ (from the Greek ὅρμς}), as being a good roadstead for shipping.
