717. The Roman Campagna in Classical Times by Thomas Ashby

717.  The Roman Campagna in Classical Times by Thomas Ashby.

Via Salaria- from Rome via the Porta Collina.  Follows the Tiber, soon reaches Fidenae which was an important outpost of Veii. At Eretum it heads ino the mountains.  Just beyond is Cures the city of Titus Tatius.  Before Eretum is Allia River where the Romans were defeated by the Gauls in 390 BC.  Remnants of the Roman army retreated to Veii as they were cut off from Rome.

Via Nomentana- from Rome via the Porta Collina.  Many tombs, descends to the Anio River, over which is Ponte Nomentano.  Beyond the bridge is a hill, the Sacer Mons where plebs went in 494 BC.  Plebs may have been dispossessed aristocracy from regal period, all kings except Romulus and Tarquins have plebeian  names.  Hills in Rome have plebeian names- Caelian, Cispus, Oppius.

Road to north is Via Patinaria.  Parts of the Via Nomentana are in place.  The town of Nomenteum is now Mentanas.

Via Tiburtina heavily used.  Crosses Anio.  Exits Porta Tiburtina (Porta San Lorenzo)  1st bridge is Ponte Mammolo.  Near Laghetto di Marco Simone is underground domed building with mosaic.  Next bridge is Ponte Lucano.  Remnants of Horace' villa is at Tivoli.

Via Praenestina (sometimes red sand in antiquity and now are reported blown from Sahara by a sirocco.)

Heads to Alban Hills.  Hills are more gentle.  Leaves Porta Esquilina.  Praenestina and Labicana diverge at tomb of Eurysaces.  Ponte di Nona is well preserved.  Ponte Amato excellent example of a Roman bridge.  It is off to the side of the modern road.

Via Collatina leads to Collatia where Sextus found Lucretia.

Via Labicana- exits Porta Maggiore.  Best arches of Aqua Alexandrina, ancient bridge near by.Near Torre Nuova

Hannibal camped here in 211.  Atilius Regulus and Fabius Maximus had farms here.  Modern road closely follows Labicana is the Via Casilina.  This was original route to Tusculum.  Labicana goes on east bank of Pantano Secco, a dried up volcanic crater- probably Lake Regulus where Tarquin the Proud made his last attempt to regain Rome.

Along these roads were post stations, many of which became active towns and villages.  Here horses were changed, lodging, food.  Labicana crosses Latina twice at Ad Picta (25 miles) Ad Bivium (30 miles).

Via Latina- Porta Capena where Cicero entered Rome returning from exile.  first 12 miles is straight.  Leave Aurelian Wall via Porta Latina.  It is picked up where Via Appia Nuova is crossed at Porta San Giovanni- this is where the park is, the aquduct park.  Aqua Claudia/Anio Novus arches.  Villa Quintiliani, Sette Bassi along it.  Impressive ruins.  First example of intersecting of vaulted ribs using tiles.  This influenced Medieval architecture.  Buttresses are here too.  Also influential.  Aqua Crabra has its source at Rocca Priora. This aqueduct supplied water for Cicero's villa.  There is a tramway station called Poggio Tulliano.  On the South slope of Tusculum is amphitheater, beside it is a tomb of Marcus Coelius Vinicianus a contemporary of Cicero.  Near by a theater.  Near by a fountain, close by the forum another fountain bearing the inscription of two aediles of Cicero's time.

Tusculum was founded by Telegonus, son of Odysseus and Circe.  Its ruler, Octavius Mamilius aided his fatrher in law, Tarquin the Proud, he led 30 cities of the Latin League against Rome at the Battle of Lake Regulus.  Tusculum was acquired by Rome in 484.  Rome aided when it was attacked by Latins.  211 Hanibal appeared at gates but Tusculum did not surrender. Via Latina runs below in Valley- Valle della Molara.

Via Appia- leaves via Porta Capena.  Its ruins found in the middle of lawns of the Passeggiata Archeologica.  Villa Doria contains items pertaining to Pompey.  Ariccia, once a way station near here, fine embankment 200 yards long. Through the Pomptine Marshes. Lake Nemi at the north end of it is temple of Diana.

Via Ardeatina- Heads toward Antium- with this city Rome had a naval battle- origin of the ship beaks placed on front of the Roastra.  Temple of Venus here.  Near by is Astura where Cicero went when his daughter died.  His villa is near there somewhere.

Via Ostiensis- exits Rome via Porta San Paolo near the Pyrimide.  The main street in Ostia is the Via Ostiensis.

Via Aurelia north along the coast.

Via Clodia toward Florence.