DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61893#0394
366
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. x.
Not only is the Capitol fallen, but its very name,
expressive of dominion, and once fondly consi-
dered as an omen of empire, is now almost lost
in the semi-barbarous appellation of Campi-
doglio.
At present the Capitoline Mount is covered
with buildings, far inferior without doubt, to
the imperial edifices above described, but yet
grand both in their proportions and in their
magnitude. The northern, still the principal
entrance, is an easy ascent adorned with a mar-
ble balustrade, which commerces below with two
colossal lionesses of Egyptian porphyry, pouring
a torrent of water into spacious basins of marble,
and is terminated above by statues of Castor
and Pollux, each holding his horse. Here you
enter the square, in the centre of which stands
the well-known equestrian statue of Marcus
Aurelius. In front, and on each side, are three
palaces erected by Michael Angelo. The edi-
fice before you, of bold elevation, adorned with
Corinthian pilasters and with a lofty tower, is
the residence of the senator. A double flight of
marble steps leads to its portal. In the centre
of this staircase stands the genius of Rome, like
Minerva armed with the AEgis, and leaning on
her spear. A fountain bursts forth at her feet.
On her right the Tiber, on her left the Nile lay
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. x.
Not only is the Capitol fallen, but its very name,
expressive of dominion, and once fondly consi-
dered as an omen of empire, is now almost lost
in the semi-barbarous appellation of Campi-
doglio.
At present the Capitoline Mount is covered
with buildings, far inferior without doubt, to
the imperial edifices above described, but yet
grand both in their proportions and in their
magnitude. The northern, still the principal
entrance, is an easy ascent adorned with a mar-
ble balustrade, which commerces below with two
colossal lionesses of Egyptian porphyry, pouring
a torrent of water into spacious basins of marble,
and is terminated above by statues of Castor
and Pollux, each holding his horse. Here you
enter the square, in the centre of which stands
the well-known equestrian statue of Marcus
Aurelius. In front, and on each side, are three
palaces erected by Michael Angelo. The edi-
fice before you, of bold elevation, adorned with
Corinthian pilasters and with a lofty tower, is
the residence of the senator. A double flight of
marble steps leads to its portal. In the centre
of this staircase stands the genius of Rome, like
Minerva armed with the AEgis, and leaning on
her spear. A fountain bursts forth at her feet.
On her right the Tiber, on her left the Nile lay