Gell, William; Gandy, John P. : Pompeiana: the topography, edifices and ornaments of Pompeii (Band 2) (London, 1824)

144 POMPEIANA.

extraordinary number to be included un-
der one roof. The tops were shaded with
trees, and laid out in gardens; while in
the interior the decorations of the room
changed with the courses of the feast'.
Augustus, whose policy would never allow
him to indulge in this extravagance, at
length restricted their height to seventy
feet; an elevation which appears sufficient,
but for exceeding which many were after-
wards accused and fined. And thus the
irregularity of the capital became so great,
that the calamity might have been con-
sidered a public good which made way
for the judicious plans of the emperor
Nero; who, passionately fond of building,
first made Home a regular city. He
ordained that each house should be sur-
rounded by its own wall: but some thought
that regulating the width and disposition
of the street, and heights of the houses,

1 Seneca.