Rambles in Rome: An Archæological and Historical Guide to the Museums, Galleries, Villas, Churches, and Antiquities of Rome and the CampagnaForbes, S. Russell
History
Rambles in Rome: An Archæological and Historical Guide to the Museums, Galleries, Villas, Churches, and Antiquities of Rome and the Campagna
Forbes, S. Russell
Art -- Rome; Rome (Italy) -- Guidebooks; Rome -- Antiquities
The Emporium was to ancient Rome what the docks are to London and
Liverpool. This great building formed three sides of a quadrangle, the
fourth being open to the quay on the bank of the Tiber, with a zigzag
path down the face of the cliff and surface of the quay. This was
excavated by the Pontifical Government, under the direction of Baron
Visconti. It was remarkably perfect; the walls against the cliff were
faced with _opus reticulatum_ of the time of Hadrian, and a large
number of blocks of valuable marbles were found here. A little further
up the river an _amphora_ is cut in the wall of the quay, to indicate
the place for landing wine and oil. The portion of the Emporium now
remaining belongs to the portico or arcade. There are said to be
extensive cellars under the other remains, forming a lower story of
the buildings. A new quarter is in course of erection here.
The Emporium, and the quay by the side of it, called the MARMORATA, or
Marble Wharf, are situated at the lower end of the great Port of Rome
for sea-going vessels, which port extended about half a mile up the
river, with the Salaria, or Salt Wharf, near the middle of it. Above
this, and nearly opposite the point where the Almo falls into the
Tiber, a little below the Temple of Hercules, are several large stone
corbels with holes through them, through which a pole was passed for
the purpose of fastening a chain across the river for holding vessels
against the force of the stream. There are similar corbels in the wall
of the Marmorata for the same purpose, only these corbels are left
plain; those at the upper end of the port are carved in the form of
lions' heads of the early character called Etruscan. These corbels at
the two ends mark the extent of the Port of Rome, made originally in
the year 577 of Rome, and were discovered by Mr. J. H. Parker, C.B.
_Regaining the main road, at a little distance we pass under an arch
of the aqueduct which supplied the Emporium with water. It is called
the_ ARCO DI S. LAZARO. _We next turn off to the right, and ascend_
MONS TESTACCIO,
formed of fragments of earthenware, chiefly of amphoræ. We know from
those remaining at Pompeii that the amphoræ which formed that branch
of commerce were often six feet high. Great numbers of these got
broken in landing, and all were thrown on this heap, as they were not
allowed to be thrown into the Tiber. There is also said to have been a
manufactory of amphoræ and other earthenware at this spot, many of the
fragments found here being the refuse of a great manufactory. This is
supposed to have been the great manufactory of earthenware for the
city of Rome for several centuries; and this supposition may account
for the enormous quantity of such refuse that has accumulated on the
spot, so as to form a hill. Tombs proving its comparatively recent
origin were discovered beneath it in the year 1696. It is 110 feet
high, and surmounted by a cross. The view from the top is very fine.
_Close by is the_
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