DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42499#0108
40
Extent of Rome in the time of the Empire.
The old Porta Metronia, of which the arch remains visible in the
wall, is built upon a bridge over this stream, as is seen very clearly
by examining it on the inside (and in the photographs of itd). The
second mill over this stream within the walls, is in the direct line
of the old Via Appia, which passes close under the Coelian Hill,
and as the stream was usually dry half the year, the pavement of
the Via Appia was continued across it, and can be seen under the
mill at the present time when the water is clear. This is not always
the case, because the water of that mill-stream comes from three
different sources or springs; it contains the water of the two streams
called Tepula and Julia, used for the aqueducts in the time of the
Empire, both beautiful water, but sometimes falling short after long
dry weather. These two streams are mixed with the water of the
Aqua Crabra, or the muddy stream, which comes from Rocca di
Papa, at the upper end of Alba Longa, and which was found to be
often muddy, but the water never fails.
The opinion of the Roman school that Rome must have extended
beyond the present walls, in order to include the river Almo, is
therefore a mistake; they have overlooked the fact that the Almo
is divided into two branches at about three miles from Rome, near
the Tor Fiscale; one branch goes through the valley of the Caffa-
rella, and has its mouth near the church of S. Paul, as S. Gregory
mentions. But the other stream passes through Rome : a full ac-
count of it will be found in the chapter on the Aqueducts. Another
demonstration against this modern Roman theory is given in the
chapter on the “Tombs in and near Rome,” where the description
of the tomb of Priscilla, of the time of Domitian, given by Statius,
is quoted, and he expressly mentions that it was on the bank of the
Almo, outside of the wall of Rome. This tomb has been identified
by an inscription found there, and the remains of it are situated
just opposite to the chapel called Domine quo uadis} half a mile
outside of the Porta Appia, now S. Sebastiano. This tomb, there-
fore, was not in Rome according to the distinct statement of Statius,
who, writing in the first century, immediately after the tomb was
built, is perfectly good authority®.
d Nos. 44, 45, 1217.
e All these matters will be clearly
shewn in the subsequent parts of this
work, the publication of which has
been, and is still, delayed by causes
which are expected soon to pass away,
and chiefly the enormous excavations
that have been going on in all parts
of Rome during the last five years,
especially in building the new city on
the hills, now nearly completed.
Extent of Rome in the time of the Empire.
The old Porta Metronia, of which the arch remains visible in the
wall, is built upon a bridge over this stream, as is seen very clearly
by examining it on the inside (and in the photographs of itd). The
second mill over this stream within the walls, is in the direct line
of the old Via Appia, which passes close under the Coelian Hill,
and as the stream was usually dry half the year, the pavement of
the Via Appia was continued across it, and can be seen under the
mill at the present time when the water is clear. This is not always
the case, because the water of that mill-stream comes from three
different sources or springs; it contains the water of the two streams
called Tepula and Julia, used for the aqueducts in the time of the
Empire, both beautiful water, but sometimes falling short after long
dry weather. These two streams are mixed with the water of the
Aqua Crabra, or the muddy stream, which comes from Rocca di
Papa, at the upper end of Alba Longa, and which was found to be
often muddy, but the water never fails.
The opinion of the Roman school that Rome must have extended
beyond the present walls, in order to include the river Almo, is
therefore a mistake; they have overlooked the fact that the Almo
is divided into two branches at about three miles from Rome, near
the Tor Fiscale; one branch goes through the valley of the Caffa-
rella, and has its mouth near the church of S. Paul, as S. Gregory
mentions. But the other stream passes through Rome : a full ac-
count of it will be found in the chapter on the Aqueducts. Another
demonstration against this modern Roman theory is given in the
chapter on the “Tombs in and near Rome,” where the description
of the tomb of Priscilla, of the time of Domitian, given by Statius,
is quoted, and he expressly mentions that it was on the bank of the
Almo, outside of the wall of Rome. This tomb has been identified
by an inscription found there, and the remains of it are situated
just opposite to the chapel called Domine quo uadis} half a mile
outside of the Porta Appia, now S. Sebastiano. This tomb, there-
fore, was not in Rome according to the distinct statement of Statius,
who, writing in the first century, immediately after the tomb was
built, is perfectly good authority®.
d Nos. 44, 45, 1217.
e All these matters will be clearly
shewn in the subsequent parts of this
work, the publication of which has
been, and is still, delayed by causes
which are expected soon to pass away,
and chiefly the enormous excavations
that have been going on in all parts
of Rome during the last five years,
especially in building the new city on
the hills, now nearly completed.