70 FIDENiE. [chap. hi.
in the time of Romulus.3 This was probably meant in a
comparative sense, in reference to the neighbouring towns.
It would seem, however, that Fidense was never of great
size or importance. It was little more than two miles in
circuit. Its vicinity to and frequent contests with Eome
gave it a prominence in history, to which, from its inferior
size and power, it was not entitled.
Making the circuit of Castel Giubileo, you are led round
till you meet the road, where it issues from the hollow at
the northern angle of the city.4 Besides the tombs which
are found on both sides of the southern promontory of the
city, there is a cave, running far into the rock, and branch-
ing off into several chambers and passages. Fidense, like
Veii, is said to have been taken by a mine;5 and this cave
might be supposed to indicate the spot, being subsequently
enlarged into its present form, had not Livy stated that
the cuniculus was on the opposite side of Fidense, where
the cliffs were loftiest, and that it was carried into the Arx.
The chief necropolis of Fidense was probably on the
heights to the north-east, called Poggio de' Sette Bagni,
where are a number of caves ; and here, also, are traces of
quarries, probably those of the soft rock for which Fidense
was famed in ancient times.6
The ruin of Fidense is as complete as that of Antemnse.
The hills on which it stood are now bare and desolate ;
the shepherd tends his flocks on its slopes, or the plough
furrows its bosom. Its walls have utterly disappeared;
not one stone remains on another, and the broken pottery
3 Dion. Hal. II., p. 116. Silius Italicus and more expressly by Livy (loc. cit.)
(XV. 90) testifies to the early power of 5 Liv. loc. cit. Dionysius (III., p.
Fidense, while he hints at its subsequent 180) mentions a prior capture of
decay. Fidense by Ancus Martius by means
4 This is the steepest and most im- of a cvmcwlw.
pregnable side of Fidense, and as such 6 Vitruv. II. 7. Plin. XXXVI. 48.
is referred to by Dionysius (V., p. 310),
in the time of Romulus.3 This was probably meant in a
comparative sense, in reference to the neighbouring towns.
It would seem, however, that Fidense was never of great
size or importance. It was little more than two miles in
circuit. Its vicinity to and frequent contests with Eome
gave it a prominence in history, to which, from its inferior
size and power, it was not entitled.
Making the circuit of Castel Giubileo, you are led round
till you meet the road, where it issues from the hollow at
the northern angle of the city.4 Besides the tombs which
are found on both sides of the southern promontory of the
city, there is a cave, running far into the rock, and branch-
ing off into several chambers and passages. Fidense, like
Veii, is said to have been taken by a mine;5 and this cave
might be supposed to indicate the spot, being subsequently
enlarged into its present form, had not Livy stated that
the cuniculus was on the opposite side of Fidense, where
the cliffs were loftiest, and that it was carried into the Arx.
The chief necropolis of Fidense was probably on the
heights to the north-east, called Poggio de' Sette Bagni,
where are a number of caves ; and here, also, are traces of
quarries, probably those of the soft rock for which Fidense
was famed in ancient times.6
The ruin of Fidense is as complete as that of Antemnse.
The hills on which it stood are now bare and desolate ;
the shepherd tends his flocks on its slopes, or the plough
furrows its bosom. Its walls have utterly disappeared;
not one stone remains on another, and the broken pottery
3 Dion. Hal. II., p. 116. Silius Italicus and more expressly by Livy (loc. cit.)
(XV. 90) testifies to the early power of 5 Liv. loc. cit. Dionysius (III., p.
Fidense, while he hints at its subsequent 180) mentions a prior capture of
decay. Fidense by Ancus Martius by means
4 This is the steepest and most im- of a cvmcwlw.
pregnable side of Fidense, and as such 6 Vitruv. II. 7. Plin. XXXVI. 48.
is referred to by Dionysius (V., p. 310),