DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.785#0259
chap, viii.] SUNDRY ETRUSCAN REMAINS. 157
There is considerable interest around Corchiano, and
the antiquary or artist, who would explore the neighbour-
hood, would do well to make it his head-quarters, as it is
centrally convenient, and accommodation may be had
in the house of the butcher and general shopkeeper
of the place, Giuseppe Lionidi. The persons who enter-
tain strangers at these out-of-the-way places are often
butchers, and generally well to do in the world, that is, as
well-doing is esteemed in Italy. Giuseppe proves his
substance by being about to send his eldest daughter to a
convent, for no fair one can become the bride of Christ
without a handsome dowry. At such places the traveller
cannot look for much comfort, but here he will at least
meet with great attention from the whole household, from
Pepe himself, and his handsome wife, Maria, down to the
merry-eyed, pretty little Lucia. As a guide to the sites
of interest round Corchiano, I can recommend a meagre,
fever-faced lad, named Costantino.
About two miles from Corchiano on the road to Bassa-
nello, at a spot called Puntone del Ponte, is a singular
tomb, with a sort of court in front sunk in the rock, and
with the remains of a portico, of which but one square
pillar is now standing.5 On the inner wall of the portico,
high under the cornice, is an Etruscan inscription, which
is imperfect. It seems to state the age of the defunct.
The general style of the tomb is like that of the triple-
arched tomb at Falleri. The existence of this monument
has hitherto been unknown to antiquaries. It now serves
as a pig-sty ; therefore beware of fleas—swarming as in
Egyptian plagues—beclouding light nether garments!
5 As Etruscan tombs are often imita- Gell. XVI. S ; Macrob. Sat. VI. 8) as a
tions of houses, this court in front of vacant space before the door of the
the portico must represent the vestibule house, through which lay the approach
described by Csecilius Gallus (ap. A. to it.