DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.57734#0087
in play. But here an atom only of the mountain was
removed with each stroke of the chisel; innumerable
blows of the hammer and a large staff of laborers
were needed in order to form the roads out of the
hard stone. It was slave-labor on a grand scale, con-
jured up by a nod of the ruler.
What purpose may this remarkable piece of handi-
craft have served? Did a shady, columned pergola (vine-
clad arbor) run round the mountain here, forming a
flower-clad promenade? Was it made to serve as a
corso for racing and processions, to be held on the
steep island, which, in a few spots only, allowed of
level locomotion? — Or was it a road whereon the
Greeks and Romans of the imperial court and the
officers of the Praetorian-Guard caused their horses to
gambol in sight of the villa-rich island and of the vast
Bay of Naples? Was it made to serve as a race-
course, which, for want of level ground, encircled the
mountain and was, perhaps, used to reproduce the
amusements and pleasures of the Capitol on the im-
perial country-seat? This would be as novel and re-
markable as it was in harmony with the moods of an
emperor at whose beck and call thousands of hands
were always kept in readiness.
Only one thing tells against this assumption, namely:
at the position M (Fig. 17) the road is suddenly inter-
rupted, but is continued again a few metres lower down,
after a break of about 6 metres, as if an obstacle
had been artificially created for driver and rider.
On the southern side of the horizontal road,
and in front thereof, the vaulted walls of a not-unim-
portant building are still standing; these enclose an
anteroom, as well as a hall 25 metres long by 4 metres
in breadth. It is possible that there may have stood
on this spot a large and splendid archway in harmony
with the grand terrace, a propylaeun (gateway), or
other structure, in connexion with the building on the
summit of the mountain.
81
removed with each stroke of the chisel; innumerable
blows of the hammer and a large staff of laborers
were needed in order to form the roads out of the
hard stone. It was slave-labor on a grand scale, con-
jured up by a nod of the ruler.
What purpose may this remarkable piece of handi-
craft have served? Did a shady, columned pergola (vine-
clad arbor) run round the mountain here, forming a
flower-clad promenade? Was it made to serve as a
corso for racing and processions, to be held on the
steep island, which, in a few spots only, allowed of
level locomotion? — Or was it a road whereon the
Greeks and Romans of the imperial court and the
officers of the Praetorian-Guard caused their horses to
gambol in sight of the villa-rich island and of the vast
Bay of Naples? Was it made to serve as a race-
course, which, for want of level ground, encircled the
mountain and was, perhaps, used to reproduce the
amusements and pleasures of the Capitol on the im-
perial country-seat? This would be as novel and re-
markable as it was in harmony with the moods of an
emperor at whose beck and call thousands of hands
were always kept in readiness.
Only one thing tells against this assumption, namely:
at the position M (Fig. 17) the road is suddenly inter-
rupted, but is continued again a few metres lower down,
after a break of about 6 metres, as if an obstacle
had been artificially created for driver and rider.
On the southern side of the horizontal road,
and in front thereof, the vaulted walls of a not-unim-
portant building are still standing; these enclose an
anteroom, as well as a hall 25 metres long by 4 metres
in breadth. It is possible that there may have stood
on this spot a large and splendid archway in harmony
with the grand terrace, a propylaeun (gateway), or
other structure, in connexion with the building on the
summit of the mountain.
81