To explain these several Particulars to an _English_ Reader, it must be known, that the Portico's in _Rome_ were the publick Walks; and here Persons of both Sexes used to assemble. Among these was one built by _Pompey_. The second Portico mentioned, is by the best Commentators understood of the _Octavian_, which was built by _Octavia_, Sister to _Augustus_, and Mother to _Marcellus_; and this adjoined to a Temple built by the same _Marcellus_. The third Portico was built by _Livia_ the Wife of _Augustus_, and called from her Name. The fourth, where the Picture of the _Belides_ was, is to be understood of the Portico of _Apollo Palatinus_, in which were the Statues of the fifty Daughters of _Danaus_ and Grandaughters of _Belus_. These being married to the fifty Sons of their Uncle _AEgyptus_, every one, by her Father's Command, slew her husband on the first Night, save only _Hypermnestra_. For this they were punished in the lower World, by being obliged to fill a Barrel full of Holes with Water. _Scaliger_ and others have here made a mistake, supposing the Picture of the _Belides_ was here hung up: But the contrary appears by many Authorities, particularly by this in _Qv. Trist. 3_. _Signa peregrinis ubi sunt alterna columnis, Belides, & stricto barbarus ense pater._ It appears that the Number of Pillars was equalled by the Number of Statues. 5thly, The Temple of _Venus_, in which she was worshipped, together with _Adonis_, after the _Assyrian_ manner. This _Adonis_ was the Son of _Cinyras_ King of _Cyprus_, begotten by him on his own Daughter _Myrrha_. The Fame of his Beauty, and the Passion which _Venus_ bore towards him, are well known. 6thly, The _Jewish_ Synagogues. The _Jews_ having been encouraged by _Julius Caesar_, were very numerous in _Rome_ at that time; and the Strangeness and Pomp of their Ceremonies inviting the Curiosity of the _Roman_ Ladies, their Synagogues became famous Places of Intrigue. 7. The Temple of _Isis_. This Goddess, when a Woman, was called _Io_. She was the Daughter of _Inachus_; and being beloved by _Jupiter_, was by him, to preserve her from his Wife's Jealousy, turned into a Heifer, _Juno_ suspecting the Fact, obtained this Heifer of her Husband, and set Argus to watch over her. _Jupiter_ wanting to visit his old Friend, sent _Mercury_ to kill _Argus_; in revenge of which, _Juno_ ordered a Gad-Bee to sting the poor Heifer; which thereupon growing mad, ran to _Egypt_, where she was again restored to the Shape of a Woman, and married to _Osiris_. The Feast of _Isis_ was celebrated in _Rome_ ten Days together by the Women, and was a time of Carnival among them.] [Footnote 15: In _Caesar's Forum_, which was built on the _Appian_ Way, was the Temple of _Venus Genetrix_.] [Footnote 16: Races were run at _Rome_ in _April_ in the _Circus Maximus_, which was likewise the Scene of many other public Exercises and Shews.]