DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.785#0215
chap, v.] HISTORY OF NEPETE. 113
Nepi. Beneath the town-hall, in the Piazza, are several
Roman altars and statues found in the neighbourhood, one
of them having reference to the goddess Feronia ; and a
fine fountain of large size, ornamented with lions' heads.
On the opposite side of the Piazza is a mutilated bas-
relief of a winged lion.
Of the old inn, " La Fontana," no one speaks well;
and I retain the remembrance of having once passed a
most uncomfortable night therein. Very recently a new
locanda, " Hotel de la Paix," has been opened, in which
the traveller will fare well enough—but let him look to his
bill—respice finem !
Nepete never took a prominent part in history; at least,
we find little more than incidental mention of this town.
It early fell under Roman dominion, for in the year 368,
a few years after the capture of the City by the Gauls,
we find it mentioned with Sutrium, as an ally of Rome;
both towns seeking assistance against the Etruscans, by
whom they were attacked. Nepete surrendered to the
Etruscans, because a portion of the inhabitants were better
affected towards their countrymen than towards their
recent allies; but it was retaken at the first assault by
Camillus; and the unfaithful citizens met their punish-
ment from the axes of the lictors.1 It was made a Roman
colony ten years later than Sutrium, or seventeen years
after the Gallic capture of the City.2 Both these towns
enjoyed municipal honours of the highest class, that is,
while retaining their own internal administration, they
were admitted to the full rights and privileges of Roman
citizenship.3
There seems to have been some particular bond of union
between Nepete and Sutrium ; for they are frequently
1 Liv. VI. 9, 10. tobethesameyearasSutrium,orA.U.371.
2 Vell.Pat.I.14.Livy(VI.21)makesit 3 Festus, voce Municipium.
VOL. I. I
Nepi. Beneath the town-hall, in the Piazza, are several
Roman altars and statues found in the neighbourhood, one
of them having reference to the goddess Feronia ; and a
fine fountain of large size, ornamented with lions' heads.
On the opposite side of the Piazza is a mutilated bas-
relief of a winged lion.
Of the old inn, " La Fontana," no one speaks well;
and I retain the remembrance of having once passed a
most uncomfortable night therein. Very recently a new
locanda, " Hotel de la Paix," has been opened, in which
the traveller will fare well enough—but let him look to his
bill—respice finem !
Nepete never took a prominent part in history; at least,
we find little more than incidental mention of this town.
It early fell under Roman dominion, for in the year 368,
a few years after the capture of the City by the Gauls,
we find it mentioned with Sutrium, as an ally of Rome;
both towns seeking assistance against the Etruscans, by
whom they were attacked. Nepete surrendered to the
Etruscans, because a portion of the inhabitants were better
affected towards their countrymen than towards their
recent allies; but it was retaken at the first assault by
Camillus; and the unfaithful citizens met their punish-
ment from the axes of the lictors.1 It was made a Roman
colony ten years later than Sutrium, or seventeen years
after the Gallic capture of the City.2 Both these towns
enjoyed municipal honours of the highest class, that is,
while retaining their own internal administration, they
were admitted to the full rights and privileges of Roman
citizenship.3
There seems to have been some particular bond of union
between Nepete and Sutrium ; for they are frequently
1 Liv. VI. 9, 10. tobethesameyearasSutrium,orA.U.371.
2 Vell.Pat.I.14.Livy(VI.21)makesit 3 Festus, voce Municipium.
VOL. I. I