DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.785#0237
chap, vii.] THE WALLS—PORTA DI GIOVE. 135
perpendicular or nearly so; the latter, which are at unequal
distances, but generally about one hundred feet apart,
are square—about seventeen feet wide, and projecting
ten feet. They are external only; the inner surface of
the wall, which rises high above the level of the ground
within, is unbroken by any projections ; it is similar in
appearance to the outer surface, but not so neatly smoothed
and finished.
Following the northern wall of the city, after passing-
ten towers, you reach a small arched gate or postern.
Outside it are remains of Roman tombs of opus incertum,
on mounds by the side of the road which issued from this
gate; blocks of basalt, now upturned by the plough, in-
dicate its course. It was the Via Amerina, which ran
northward to Horta and Ameria. Passing a breach which
Gell takes for a gateway, you next cross a long wall or
embankment stretching away at right angles from the
city ; it is of ancient blocks, probably taken from the city
walls. A little beyond is what seems a window, high in
the wall and partly blocked up, but it is a mere hole cut
in later times.
On turning the corner of the wall you reach the Porta
di Giove, a fine gate in excellent preservation, flanked by
towers. The arch-stones and encircling moulding are of
peperino; and in the centre over the key-stone, is a head
in bold relief. Why called Giove I could not understand;
it has none of the attributes of Jupiter, but in its beard-
less youth and gentleness of expression, seems rather to
represent Bacchus or Apollo.7 Within the gate is a double
7 The gate is nearly eighteen feet are also of peperino—above them the
in height, and ten feet eight inches in arch is blocked up with brickwork,
span. The depth of its door-posts is Cav. Canina is inclined to regard this
more than seven feet, which is also the gate as Etruscan. He says (Archit. Ant.
thickness of the city wall. The imposts VI. p. 54), from a comparison of it with
perpendicular or nearly so; the latter, which are at unequal
distances, but generally about one hundred feet apart,
are square—about seventeen feet wide, and projecting
ten feet. They are external only; the inner surface of
the wall, which rises high above the level of the ground
within, is unbroken by any projections ; it is similar in
appearance to the outer surface, but not so neatly smoothed
and finished.
Following the northern wall of the city, after passing-
ten towers, you reach a small arched gate or postern.
Outside it are remains of Roman tombs of opus incertum,
on mounds by the side of the road which issued from this
gate; blocks of basalt, now upturned by the plough, in-
dicate its course. It was the Via Amerina, which ran
northward to Horta and Ameria. Passing a breach which
Gell takes for a gateway, you next cross a long wall or
embankment stretching away at right angles from the
city ; it is of ancient blocks, probably taken from the city
walls. A little beyond is what seems a window, high in
the wall and partly blocked up, but it is a mere hole cut
in later times.
On turning the corner of the wall you reach the Porta
di Giove, a fine gate in excellent preservation, flanked by
towers. The arch-stones and encircling moulding are of
peperino; and in the centre over the key-stone, is a head
in bold relief. Why called Giove I could not understand;
it has none of the attributes of Jupiter, but in its beard-
less youth and gentleness of expression, seems rather to
represent Bacchus or Apollo.7 Within the gate is a double
7 The gate is nearly eighteen feet are also of peperino—above them the
in height, and ten feet eight inches in arch is blocked up with brickwork,
span. The depth of its door-posts is Cav. Canina is inclined to regard this
more than seven feet, which is also the gate as Etruscan. He says (Archit. Ant.
thickness of the city wall. The imposts VI. p. 54), from a comparison of it with