DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42497#0213
SECT. II.J The Gates of Rome in the time of Vespasian. 113
“This road, like the last, passed the Colosseum, but probably went round the
fortress in which the Santi Quattro was afterwards built, and passed between the
east end of the Coelian and the Laterank, and so down the southern slope of the
hill to the gate, giving a distance of .... i mille 500 passus.”
XI. The Porta Metronia, Metronis, or Mitronii is one of
the old gates at the point where the Aqua Crabra or Marana passes
through the outer wall. This must have been in use in the first
century, as the road leads up from it to the Arch of Dolabella of that
period, although no work of a distinctive early character remains.
“The road to the Porta Metronia probably passed the Colosseum also, and
then along the Via della Navicella across the Piazza della Navicella, and so
directly to the gate. This gives a distance of . . .1 mille 360 passus. ”
XII. The Porta Latina, or gate at the passage of the Via Latina
through the outer wall has been rebuilt, but must have been originally
at least as early as the time of Augustus, when this addition to the
city was made his first Regio.
“ The road to this gate turns off to the right through the Arch of Constantine,
and passing along the foss-way beneath the Palatine Hill (now Via di S. Gregorio)
turns to the left past the site of the ancient Porta Catena, and then along the Via
Appia till it branches off along the Via Latina. The distance of this course
amounts to ........ i mille 920 passus.”
XIII. The Porta Appia must have been made at the same
time. We find the Via Appia mentioned by authors of this period,
and it is bordered by tombs of a still earlier date.
“The course followed was the same as in the previous route, except that it
continues along the Via Appia till it reaches the gate. This gives in length
2 millia 40 passus.”
XIV. The Porta Ardeatina, on the Via Ardeatina, where it
passes through the boundary wall, is still standing, though long
closed ; it is of the time of Nero or Tiberius, as fine brickwork of
the first century as any in Rome. This also must therefore have
been in existence and in use in the time of Pliny. We do not find
this gate mentioned by any ancient author, but there stands a gate-
way of the first century, incorporated in the wall of Aurelian, although
not in a line with it, but in an angle made on purpose to include the
gate, and the road is a very ancient one.
“The course followed was also probably through the Arch of Constantine1, but
k The pavement of an old road is
known to exist in that valley or foss,
although buried. It is nearly under the
tomb of the first century on the bank.
1 The course may have been reckoned
along the western side of the Palatine,
namely, the Via di S. Teodoro, Via de’
Fenili, and the Via di Cerchi. It makes,
however, very little, if any, difference
in the measurement.
I
“This road, like the last, passed the Colosseum, but probably went round the
fortress in which the Santi Quattro was afterwards built, and passed between the
east end of the Coelian and the Laterank, and so down the southern slope of the
hill to the gate, giving a distance of .... i mille 500 passus.”
XI. The Porta Metronia, Metronis, or Mitronii is one of
the old gates at the point where the Aqua Crabra or Marana passes
through the outer wall. This must have been in use in the first
century, as the road leads up from it to the Arch of Dolabella of that
period, although no work of a distinctive early character remains.
“The road to the Porta Metronia probably passed the Colosseum also, and
then along the Via della Navicella across the Piazza della Navicella, and so
directly to the gate. This gives a distance of . . .1 mille 360 passus. ”
XII. The Porta Latina, or gate at the passage of the Via Latina
through the outer wall has been rebuilt, but must have been originally
at least as early as the time of Augustus, when this addition to the
city was made his first Regio.
“ The road to this gate turns off to the right through the Arch of Constantine,
and passing along the foss-way beneath the Palatine Hill (now Via di S. Gregorio)
turns to the left past the site of the ancient Porta Catena, and then along the Via
Appia till it branches off along the Via Latina. The distance of this course
amounts to ........ i mille 920 passus.”
XIII. The Porta Appia must have been made at the same
time. We find the Via Appia mentioned by authors of this period,
and it is bordered by tombs of a still earlier date.
“The course followed was the same as in the previous route, except that it
continues along the Via Appia till it reaches the gate. This gives in length
2 millia 40 passus.”
XIV. The Porta Ardeatina, on the Via Ardeatina, where it
passes through the boundary wall, is still standing, though long
closed ; it is of the time of Nero or Tiberius, as fine brickwork of
the first century as any in Rome. This also must therefore have
been in existence and in use in the time of Pliny. We do not find
this gate mentioned by any ancient author, but there stands a gate-
way of the first century, incorporated in the wall of Aurelian, although
not in a line with it, but in an angle made on purpose to include the
gate, and the road is a very ancient one.
“The course followed was also probably through the Arch of Constantine1, but
k The pavement of an old road is
known to exist in that valley or foss,
although buried. It is nearly under the
tomb of the first century on the bank.
1 The course may have been reckoned
along the western side of the Palatine,
namely, the Via di S. Teodoro, Via de’
Fenili, and the Via di Cerchi. It makes,
however, very little, if any, difference
in the measurement.
I