The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 04: CaligulaSuetonius
History
The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 04: Caligula
Suetonius
Emperors -- Rome -- Biography -- Early works to 1800; Rome -- History -- Empire, 30 B.C.-284 A.D.
[413] See AUGUSTUS, cc. xxix and xliii. The amphitheatre of Statilius
Taurus is supposed to have stood in the Campus Martius, and the elevation
now called the Monte Citorio, to have been formed by its ruins.
[414] Supposed to be a house, so called, adjoining the Circus, in which
some of the emperor's attendants resided.
[415] Now Puzzuoli, on the shore of the bay of Naples. Every one knows
what wealth was lavished here and at Baiae, on public works and the
marine villas of the luxurious Romans, in the times of the emperors.
[416] The original terminus of the Appian Way was at Brundusium. This
mole formed what we should call a nearer station to Rome, on the same
road, the ruins of which are still to be seen. St. Paul landed there.
[417] Essedis: they were light cars, on two wheels, constructed to carry
only one person; invented, it is supposed, by the Belgians, and by them
introduced into Britain, where they were used in war. The Romans, after
their expeditions in Gaul and Britain, adopted this useful vehicle
instead of their more cumbrous RHEDA, not only for journeys where
dispatch was required, but in solemn processions, and for ordinary
purposes. They seem to have become the fashion, for Ovid tells us that
these little carriages were driven by young ladies, themselves holding
the reins, Amor. xi. 16. 49.
[418] Suetonius flourished about seventy years after this, in the reign
of Adrian, and derived many of the anecdotes which give interest to his
history from cotemporary persons. See CLAUDIUS, c. xv. etc.
[419] See TIBERIUS, c. xlvii. and AUGUSTUS, c. xxxi.
[420] This aqueduct, commenced by Caligula and completed by Claudian, a
truly imperial work, conveyed the waters of two streams to Rome,
following the valley of the Anio from above Tivoli. The course of one of
these rivulets was forty miles, and it was carried on arches, immediately
after quitting its source, for a distance of three miles. The other, the
Anio Novus, also began on arches, which continued for upwards of twelve
miles. After this, both were conveyed under ground; but at the distance
of six miles from the city, they were united, and carried upon arches all
the rest of the way. This is the most perfect of all the ancient
aqueducts; and it has been repaired, so as to convey the Acqua Felice,
one of the three streams which now supply Rome. See CLAUDIUS, c. xx.
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