Quaque iter est Latiis ad summam fascibus Albam, excelsa de rupe procul iam conspicit Urbem.

Luc. iii. 87-88.

Hic herus: Albanum, Maecenas, sive Falernum te magis appositis delectat, habemus utrumque. Hor. S. ii. 8, 16-17.

5 In the early months of his civil war with Pompey, Caesar finds himself master of Rome. As he approaches the city, he pauses for a moment to view it from the Alban mountain. For his soliloquy, see Lucan, iii. 91 ff.

6 This mountain is now called Maschio d' Ariano (or Algido).

From a lofty rock on Alba's height whither the Latian fasces are brought, Caesar looks down from afar upon the city of Rome.

Alban Wine is Fit for a Prince
On this our host, "Maecenas, sir,
If you to what they've brought prefer
Falern or Alban, pray command!
Believe me, we have both at hand."

JOHN CONINGTON

Here is a cask of Alban, more
Than nine years old.

JOHN CONINGTON

ALGIDUS MONS (SELVA DELL' AGLIO)

The name "Algidus" was of wide application until the time of the Empire when it became connected with the mountain." In early times it witnessed the constant wars between the Romans, Volscians, Aequians, and Latins, waged with varying issues. In 446 B. C., it was the scene of the insult to the Roman ambassadors who came here to complain to the Aequian leader of the breaking of the treaty with Rome. To a huge oak overshadowing the general's tent, the Romans were instructed by the insolent Aequian general to tell their tale, since he "had other business to attend to." Then came the indignant rush from Rome to relieve the consul who was there besieged, the dramatic night attack, and the passing of the Aequians beneath the yoke when victory fell to the Romans (Liv. iii. 27, 7-8; iii. 28). See, too, Livy iii. 23 and elsewhere for accounts of other battles on these heights. The spot was celebrated for its coolness and for this reason was sought in later times as a resort. The worship of Diana was long associated with this region (Hor. C. S. 69).

vos laetam fluviis et nemorum coma,
quaecumque aut gelido prominet Algido,

nigris aut Erymanthi
silvis aut viridis Cragi.

'This stream is famous as the scene of a signal defeat inflicted upon the Romans by the invading Gauls on July 18, 387 B. C. (the conventional date is 390). This day was looked upon as unpropitious ever after and known as "Allia" in the Roman calendar. For a full account of the battle, see Liv. v. 37-39. The Romans later defeated the Praenestines near the same river (Liv. vi. 29).

Like oak, by sturdy axes lopp'd

Of all its boughs, which once the brakes
Of shaggy Algidus o'ertopp'd,

Its loss its glory makes,

And from the very steel fresh strength and spirit takes.

SIR THEODORE MARTIN

The victim mark'd for sacrifice, that feeds

On snow-capp'd Algidus, in leafy lane

Of oak and ilex.

Lovely regions of Algidus.

SIR THEODORE MARTIN

Praise Dian, O ye maidens tender! Praise, O ye lads, unshorn Apollo, and Latona, fondly loved by Jove supreme! Praise ye, O maidens, her who delights in streams and in the foliage of the groves that stand out on cool Algidus or amid the black woods of Erymanthus and verdant Cragus! C. E. BENNETT

ALPES MONTES (ALPS)

The Alps are interesting chiefly to the classical student because of such accounts of their crossing as that given below in which Hannibal's passage in 218 B. C. is described. In 207 B. C. his brother Hasdrubal likewise led a Carthaginian army over these mountains, and in 77 B. C. Pompey took his Roman legions to Spain by this route. After the time of Julius Caesar, the passes came to be well known and were traversed by high-roads. The Gauls of course often crossed these mountains in their many invasions of Italy and hordes of barbarians in general poured through the passes on their way to the conquest of Italy. Interesting accounts of the Alps and the difficulties of crossing are given by Polybius (iii. 50-55); Strabo (iv. 6.6); and Ammianus Marcellinus (xv. 10, 4-5). The poets refer frequently to these mountains, such references as Lucan's "nubiferam" (cloud-bearing), "gelidas" (icy-cold) (iii. 299; i. 183) being characteristic.

Cuncta gelu canaque aeternum grandine tecta atque aevi glacie cohibent; riget ardua montis aetherii facies, surgentique obvia Phoebo duratas nescit flammis mollire pruinas. quantum Tartareus regni pallentis hiatus ad manis imos atque atrae stagna paludis a supera tellure patet, tam longa per auras erigitur tellus et caelum intercipit umbra. nullum ver usquam nullique aestatis honores. sola iugis habitat diris sedesque tuetur perpetuas deformis hiems; illa undique nubes huc atras agit et mixtos cum grandine nimbos. iam cuncti flatus ventique furentia regna Alpina posuere domo. caligat in altis obtutus saxis, abeuntque in nubila montes. Sil. Ital. iii. 479-493.

Hannibal ab Druentia campestri maxime itinere ad Alpis cum bona pace incolentium ea loca Gallorum pervenit. Tum, quamquam fama prius, qua incerta in maius vero ferri solent, praecepta res erat, tamen ex propinquo visa montium altitudo nivesque caelo prope inmixtae, tecta informia inposita rupibus, pecora iumentaque tor

1 At least thirteen well-known passes led across the Alps. Hannibal's route is still a matter of doubt.

2 A river known today as the Durance which flows southwest from the Cottian Alps reaching the Rhone north west of Marseilles. These mountains (not indicated on the map in this book) are west of Pollentia.