Dennis, George: The cities and cemeteries of Etruria: in two volumes (Band 2) (London, 1848)

416 CHIANCIANO AND MONTEPULCIANO. [chap. i.tv.

Every one must be struck with the beauty of the cattle
on these royal farms. They are either purely white or
tinged with grey, which in the sun has quite a lilac bloom;
and their eyes are so large, soft, and lustrous, that one
ceases to wonder that Juno was called " ox-eyed," or that
Europa eloped with a bull.

At various spots in the Val di Chiana, Etruscan tombs
have been found; and it would seem that some of the
eminences which vary its surface, must have been occupied
in ancient times by towns, or villages, though much of the
low ground was under water.5

There is a good road through Pienza to also at the foot of the " Poggio de'

San Quirico, 13 or 14 miles distant, on Morti," or "Dead Men's Hill," some

the high-road from Rome to Siena and Etruscan urns, of the families of " Spu-

Florence ; and there is another road to rina " and " Thurice," with female

Siena by Asinalunga and Aseiano. ornaments of gold and silver, and

5 Near Asinalunga, and also on a hill painted vases in the latest and best

near the farm of Fonte Rotella, tombs style, have been brought to light. Bull,

have been found with curious articles in Inst. 1843. pp. 37, 38 ; cf. Micali, Mon.

bronze. Bull. Inst. 1834. p. 200; 1835. Ined. p. 213. tav. XXXV. 2. At Mar.

p. 126. Near Lueignano, in some hills, ciano, a village on the heights by the

called " Poggi Grassi," or " delle Belle road-side, a few miles from Fojano,

Donne," a Roman urn of marble and tombs have been opened, containing

some red Aretine vases have been dis- numerous urns. Bull. Inst. 1830. p. 202.
covered. Bull. Inst. 1832. p. 54. And