We will begin with Ostia[1276], a colony founded by a king of Rome, the town of Laurentum[1277], the grove of Jupiter Indiges[1278], the river Numicius[1279], and Ardea[1280], founded by Danaë, the mother of Perseus. Next come the former site of Aphrodisium[1281], the colony of Antium[1282], the river and island called Astura[1283], the river Nymphæus[1284], the Clostra Romana[1285], and Circeii[1286], formerly an island, and, if we are to believe Homer, surrounded by the open sea, though now by an extensive plain. The circumstances which we are enabled to publish on this subject for the information of the world are very remarkable. Theophrastus, the first foreigner who treated of the affairs of Rome with any degree of accuracy (for Theopompus, before whose time no Greek writer had made mention of us, only stated the fact that the city had been taken by the Gauls, and Clitarchus, the next after him, only spoke of the embassy that was sent by the Romans to Alexander)—Theophrastus, I say, following something more than mere rumour, has given the circuit of the island of Circeii as being eighty stadia, in the volume which he wrote during the archonship of Nicodorus at Athens[1287], being the 440th year of our city. Whatever land therefore has been annexed to that island beyond the circumference of about ten miles, has been added to Italy since the year previously mentioned. Another wonderful circumstance too.—Near Circeii are the Pomptine Marshes[1288], formerly the site, according to Mucianus, who was thrice consul, of four-and-twenty cities. Next to this comes the river Ufens[1289], upon which is the town of Terracina[1290], called, in the language of the Volsci, Anxur; the spot too where Amyclæ[1291] stood, a town destroyed by serpents. Next is the site of the Grotto[1292], Lake Fundanus[1293], the port of Caieta[1294], and then the town of Formiæ[1295], formerly called Hormiæ, the ancient seat of the Læstrygones[1296], it is supposed. Beyond this, formerly stood the town of Pyræ; and we then come to the colony of Minturnæ[1297], which still exists, and is divided[1298] by the river Liris, also called the Glanis. The town of Sinuessa[1299] is the last in the portion which has been added to Latium; it is said by some that it used to be called Sinope.