Mirabilia Urbis Romae: MIRABILIA URBIS ROMAE

Murus civitatis Rome habet turres CCCLXI, turres castella XLVIIII, propugnacula VIm. DCCCC. In circuitu vero eius sunt miliaria XXII, excepto Transtiberim et civitas Leoniana.

The wall of the city of Rome has 361 towers, 49 castle-towers, 6,900 battlements. In its circuit indeed there are 22 miles, except for Transtiberim and the Leonine City.

2. De portis urbis.

2. On the gates of the city.

Portas habet XII sine Transtiberim, posterulas V. Nomina portarum: porta Capena que vocatur sancti Pauli, iuxta sepulchrum Remi; porta Appia; porta Latina; porta Mitrovi; porta Asinarica Lateranis; porta Lavicana que dicitur Major; porta Taurina, que dicitur sancti Laurentii vel Tiburtina; porta Numentana; porta Salaria; porta Pinciana; porta Flamminea; porta Collina ad castellum Adriani. Quot porte sunt Transtiberim. Porte Transtiberim III: porta Septimiana, septem Naiades iunctae Iano; porta Aurelia vel Aurea; porta Portuensis.

It has 12 gates without Transtiberim, 5 posterns. Names of the gates: the Capena gate which is called Saint Paul’s, next to the tomb of Remus; the Appian gate; the Latin gate; the Mitrovi gate; the Asinaria gate at the Lateran; the Lavicana gate which is called Major; the Taurina gate, which is called Saint Lawrence’s or Tiburtina; the Numentana gate; the Salarian gate; the Pincian gate; the Flamminea gate; the Collina gate at the castellum of Hadrian. How many gates are across the Tiber. Gates across the Tiber 3: the Septimiana gate, seven Naiads joined to Janus; the Aurelian gate or Aurea; the Portuensis gate.

3. De arcubus.

3. On the arches.

Hii sunt arcus triumphales: arcus aureus Alexandri ad sanctum Celtium; arcus Theodosii et Valentiniani et Gratiani imperatorum ad sanctum Ursum; foris portam Appiam ad templum Martis arcus triumphalis, in circo arcus Titi et Vespasiani; arcus Constantini iuxta amphitheatrum; arcus Septem lucernarum Titi et Vespasiani ad sanctam Mariam Novam, inter Pallanteum et templum Romuli; arcus lulii Cesaris et senatorum inter edem Concordie et templum Fatale; iuxta sanctum Laurentium in Lucina est arcus triumphalis Octaviani; inde prope arcus qui nunc vocatur Antonini; est arcus ad sanctum Marcum qui vocatur Manus carnea; in Capitello arcus Panis aurei.

These are triumphal arches: the golden arch of Alexander at Saint Celtius; the arch of the emperors Theodosius and Valentinian and Gratian at Saint Ursus; outside the Appian Gate at the Temple of Mars, a triumphal arch; in the Circus, the arch of Titus and Vespasian; the arch of Constantine next to the amphitheater; the arch of the Seven Lamps of Titus and Vespasian at Saint Mary Nova, between the Pallanteum and the Temple of Romulus; the arch of Julius Caesar and of the senators between the aedes of Concord and the Fatal Temple; next to Saint Lawrence in Lucina there is the triumphal arch of Octavian; then nearby the arch which is now called of Antoninus; there is an arch at Saint Mark which is called the Fleshly Hand; on the Capitol, the arch of the Golden Bread.

4. De montibus.

4. On the mountains.

Hii sunt montes infra urbem: Ianiculus, Aventinus qui et Quirinalis dicitur, Celius mons, Capitolium, Pallanteum, Exquilinus, Viminalis.

These are the hills within the city: Janiculum, the Aventine, which is also called the Quirinal, the Caelian Mount, the Capitol, Pallanteum, the Esquiline, the Viminal.

5. De thermis.

5. On the baths.

Therme Antoniane, Domitiane, Maximiane, Licinii, Dioclitiane, Tiberiane, Novatiane, Olimpiadis, Agrippine, Alexandrine.

Thermae Antonine, Domitianic, Maximianic, of Licinius, Diocletianic, Tiberian, Novatianic, of Olympias, Agrippine, Alexandrine.

6. De palatiis.

6. On the palaces.

Palatia: palatium maius in Pallanteo; palatium Severini; palatium Claudii; palatium Constantini; palatium Susurrianum; palatium Volusianum, palatium Romulianum. In Romuliano palatio sunt due edes, Pietatis et Concordie, ubi posuit Romulus statua suam auream, dicens: "Non cadet, donec virgo pariat". Statim ut virgo peperit, illa corruit; palatium Tracianum; palatium Traiani et Adriani, ubi est columna; palatium Constantini; palatium Salustii; palatium Camilli; palatium Antonini ubi est columna; palatium Neronis, ubi est sepulchrum Julii Cesaris; palatium Cromatii; palatium Pompei; palatium Titi et Vespasiani foris Romam, Catacumbis; palatium Octaviani.

Palaces: the greater palace on the Pallanteum; the palace of Severinus; the palace of Claudius; the palace of Constantine; the Susurrian Palace; the Volusian Palace, the Romulian Palace. In the Romulian palace there are two temples, of Piety and of Concord, where Romulus placed his golden statue, saying: "It will not fall, until a virgin gives birth." As soon as the virgin gave birth, it collapsed; the Thracian Palace; the palace of Trajan and Hadrian, where there is a column; the palace of Constantine; the palace of Sallust; the palace of Camillus; the palace of Antoninus where there is a column; the palace of Nero, where the tomb of Julius Caesar is; the palace of Cromatius; the palace of Pompey; the palace of Titus and Vespasian outside Rome, at the Catacombs; the palace of Octavian.

7. De theatris.

7. On the theaters.

Theatra Titi et Vespasiani ad Catacumbas; theatrum Tarquinii et imperatorum ad Septem solium; theatrum Pompeii ad sanctum Laurentium; theatrum Alexandri iuxta sanctam Mariam Rotundam; theatrum Neronis iuxta Castellum Crescentii; et theatrum Flammineum.

The theaters of Titus and Vespasian at the Catacombs; the theater of Tarquinius and of the emperors at the Seven Thrones; the theater of Pompey at Saint Lawrence; the theater of Alexander next to Saint Mary Rotunda; the theater of Nero next to the Castle of Crescentius; and the Flaminian theater.

8. De locis que inveniuntur in sanctorum passionibus.

8. On the places which are found in the passions of the saints.

Hec sunt loca que inveniuntur in passionibus sanctorum: foris portam Appiam, ubi beatus Xistus decollatus est, et ubi dominus apparuit Petro, Domine quo vadis, templum Martis; intus portam arcus Stille; deinde regio Fasciole ad sanctum Nereum; vicus canarius ad sanctum Georgium, ubi fuit domus Lucilli et est Velum aureum ibi; aqua Salvia ad sanctum Anastasium, ubi decollatus fuit beatus Paulus; ortus Lucine, ubi est ecclesia sancti Pauli et requiescit; inter Lude, id est inter duos ludos, id est clivus Scauri, qui est inter amphitheatrum et stadium, ante Septem solium, ubi est cloaca ubi jactatus fuit sanctus Sebastianus, qui revelavit corpus suum Lucine dicens: "Invenies corpus meum pendens in gumfo"; via Cornelia per pontem Milvium et exit in stratam; via Aurelia iuxta Girolum; gradus Eliogabali in introitu palatii; et insula catenata post sanctam Trinitatem; arcus Stillans ante Septemsolium; arcus Romanus ante Aventinum et Albiston, ubi beatus Silvester et Constantinus osculati sunt et diviserunt se, in Tellure, id est in Canapara, ubi fuit domus Telluris; privata Mamertini, ante Martem, sub Capitolium; vicus Patricii ad sanctam Pudentianam; vicus Laterici ad sanctam Praxedem; basilica lovis ad sanctum Quiricum; thermas Olimpiadis, ubi assatus fuit beatus Laurentius, in Panisperna; palatium Tiberianum, ubi Decius et Valerianus recesserunt mortuo sancto Laurentio; circus Flammineus, ad pontem Iudeorum; in Transtiberim, templum Ravennatium effundens oleum, ubi est sancta Maria.

These are the places that are found in the passions of the saints: outside the Appian Gate, where blessed Sixtus was beheaded, and where the Lord appeared to Peter, “Lord, whither are you going?”, the temple of Mars; inside the gate the Arch of the Drip; then the region Fasciole at Saint Nereus; the Canarius lane at Saint George, where was the house of Lucillus, and the Golden Veil is there; Aquae Salviae at Saint Anastasius, where blessed Paul was beheaded; the Garden of Lucina, where the church of Saint Paul is and he rests; between the Ludi, that is between the two games, that is the Clivus Scauri, which is between the amphitheater and the stadium, before the Septemsolium, where there is a sewer where Saint Sebastian was thrown, who revealed his body to Lucina, saying: “You will find my body hanging on the gomphus (peg)”; the Cornelian Way by the Milvian Bridge and it goes out into the highway; the Aurelian Way next to Girolus; the steps of Heliogabalus at the entrance of the palace; and the Chained Island behind the Holy Trinity; the Dripping Arch before the Septemsolium; the Roman Arch before the Aventine and Albiston, where blessed Sylvester and Constantine kissed and parted; in Tellus, that is in Canapara, where was the house of Tellus; the private quarters of the Mamertine, before Mars, under the Capitol; the Patricius lane at Saint Pudentiana; the Laterician lane at Saint Praxedes; the basilica of Jove at Saint Quiricus; the baths of Olympias, where blessed Lawrence was roasted, at Panisperna; the Tiberian palace, where Decius and Valerian withdrew after blessed Lawrence had died; the Flaminian circus, at the bridge of the Jews; in Trastevere, the temple of the Ravennates pouring out oil, where Saint Mary is.

9. De pontibus.

9. On the bridges.

Hii sunt pontes: pons Milvius, pons Adrianus, pons Neronianus, pons Antoninus, pons Fabricius, pons Gratianus, pons Senatorum, pons marmoreus Theodosii, et pons Valentinianus.

These are the bridges: the Milvian Bridge, the Hadrianic Bridge, the Neronian Bridge, the Antonine Bridge, the Fabrician Bridge, the Gratianic Bridge, the Bridge of the Senators, the marble bridge of Theodosius, and the Valentinian Bridge.

10. De cimiteriis.

10. On cemeteries.

Cimiterium Calepodii ad s. Pancratium; cimiterium s. Agathe ad Girolum; cimiterium Ursi ad Portesan, et cimiterium s. Felicis; cimiterium Calixti juxta catacumbas; cimiterium Pretestati iuxta portam Appiam, ad s. Apolinarem; cimiterium Cordianum foris portam Latinam; cimiterium inter duos lauros ad s. Helenam; cimiterium Ursum pilleatum ad s. Vivianam; cimiterium in agrum Veranum ad s. Laurentium; cimiterium s. Agnetis; cimiterium Fontis s. Petri; cimiterium Priscille ad Salarium, et cimiterium Cucumeris; cimiterium Trasonis ad s. Saturninum; et cimiterium sancte Felicitatis iuxta cimiterium Calixti; cimiterium Pontianum; cimiterium sancti Hermetis et Domitille; cimiterium s. Ciriaci via Hostiensi.

The cemetery of Calepodius at St. Pancratius; the cemetery of St. Agatha at Girolum; the cemetery of Ursus at Portesan, and the cemetery of St. Felix; the cemetery of Callixtus near the catacombs; the cemetery of Pretestatus next to the Appian Gate, at St. Apollinaris; the Cordianum cemetery outside the Latin Gate; the cemetery between the two laurels at St. Helena; the cemetery of Ursus Pilleatus at St. Viviana; the cemetery in the Veran field at St. Lawrence; the cemetery of St. Agnes; the cemetery of the Fountain of St. Peter; the cemetery of Priscilla at the Salarian, and the cemetery of the Cucumber; the cemetery of Trason at St. Saturninus; and the cemetery of Saint Felicity next to the cemetery of Callixtus; the cemetery of Pontianus; the cemetery of Saint Hermes and Domitilla; the cemetery of St. Cyriacus on the Ostian Way.

11. De iussione Octaviani imperatoris et responsione Sibille.

11. On the order of Emperor Octavian and the response of the Sibyl.

Tempore Octaviani imperatoris, senatores videntes eum tante pulchritudinis quod nemo in oculos eius intueri poterat et tante prosperitatis et pacis quod totum mundum sibi tributarium fecerat, dicunt: "Te adorare volumus quia deitas est in te; si hoc non esset, non tibi omnia essent prospera". Qui renitens, indutias postulavit, ad se sibillam Tiburtinam vocavit, cui quod senatores dixerant recitavit. Que spatium trium dierum petiit, in quibus artum jejunium operata est. Post tertium diem respondit imperatori: "Hoc pro certo erit, domine imperator: Iudicii signum, tellus sudore madescet; e celo rex adveniet per secla futurus, scilicet in carne presens, ut judicet orbem" et cetera que secuntur.

In the time of Emperor Octavian, the senators, seeing him of such beauty that no one could look into his eyes, and of such prosperity and peace that he had made the whole world tributary to himself, say: "We wish to adore you because deity is in you; if this were not so, not all things would be prosperous for you." He, resisting, asked for a respite, and called to himself the Tiburtine Sibyl, to whom he recited what the senators had said. She asked a space of three days, in which she performed a strict fast. After the third day she responded to the emperor: "This will be for certain, lord emperor: the sign of the Judgment, the earth will be moistened with sweat; from heaven a king will come, to be for the ages, namely present in flesh, in order to judge the orb," and the rest which follow.

Ilico apertum est celum et nimius splendor irruit super eum; vidit in celo quandam pulcerrimam virginem stantem super altare, puerum tenentem in bracchiis. Miratus est nimis et vocem dicentem audivit: "Hec ara filii Dei est". Qui statim in terram procidens adoravit. Quam visionem retulit senatoribus et ipsi mirati sunt nimis.

Immediately the heaven was opened and an excessive splendor rushed upon him; he saw in heaven a certain most beautiful virgin standing upon an altar, holding a child in her arms. He was amazed exceedingly and heard a voice saying: "This is the altar of the Son of God". And he, straightway falling to the ground, adored. He reported this vision to the senators, and they too were amazed exceedingly.

Hec visio fuit in camera Octaviani imperatoris, ubi nunc est ecclesia sancte Marie in Capitolio; idcirco dicta est Sancta Maria Ara celi.

This vision was in the chamber of Octavian the emperor, where now is the church of Saint Mary on the Capitol; therefore it is called Saint Mary of the Altar of Heaven.

12. Quare facti sunt caballi marmorei.

12. Why the marble horses were made.

Caballi marmorei ad quid facti fuerunt nudi et quid numerent et quid sit quod ante caballos quedam femina circumdata sedet serpentibus, habens concam ante se. Temporibus Tiberii imperatoris venerunt Romam duo philosophi iuvenes, Praxitelis et Fidia. Quos imperator cognoscens tante sapientie, caros in palatio suo habuit. Qui dixerunt ei se esse tante sapientie ut quicquid imperator eis absentibus in die vel in nocte consiliaretur, ei usque ad unum verbum dicerent.

The marble horses: for what purpose they were made nude, and what they enumerate, and what it is that, before the horses, a certain woman sits surrounded by serpents, having a basin before her. In the times of the emperor Tiberius there came to Rome two young philosophers, Praxiteles and Phidias. The emperor, recognizing them as of such great wisdom, held them dear in his palace. They told him that they were of such wisdom that whatever the emperor, they being absent, should take counsel about by day or by night, they would tell him, down to a single word.

Dixerunt itaque ei: "Domine imperator, quicquid nobis absentibus in die vel in nocte in camera tua dixeris, dicemus tibi usque ad unum verbum". Quibus imperator ait: "Si facitis quod dixistis, dabo vobis quicquid vultis". Qui respondentes dixerunt: "Nullam pecuniam, sed nostrorum memoriam postulamus". Veniente altero die per ordinem retulerunt imperatori quicquid preterita nocte consiliatus est. Unde fecit eis promissam prelibatam memoriam eorum, sicut postulaverunt, equos nudos videlicet qui calcant terram, id est potentes principes huius seculi qui dominantur homines huius mundi. Veniet rex potentissimus qui ascendet super equos, id est super potentiam principum huius seculi.

They therefore said to him: "Lord emperor, whatever you may say to us, while we are absent, by day or by night in your chamber, we will tell you back to the very last word." To whom the emperor said: "If you do what you have said, I will give you whatever you wish." They, answering, said: "We ask for no money, but the memorial of our names." When the next day came, in order they reported to the emperor whatever he had deliberated the previous night. Whereupon he made for them the promised, aforementioned memorial of them, just as they had requested—namely naked horses who tread the earth, that is, powerful princes of this age who lord it over the men of this world. A most powerful king will come who will mount upon the horses, that is, upon the power of the princes of this age.

In hoc seminudi qui stant iuxta equos et altis brachiis et replicatis digitis numerant ea que futura erant, et sicut ipsi sunt nudi, ita omnis mundialis sciencia nuda et aperta est mentibus eorum. Femina circumdata serpentibus sedens, habens concam ante se, significat ecclesiam et predicatores qui predicabunt eam, ut quicumque ad eam ire voluerit, non poterit nisi prius lavetur in conca illa.

In this, the semi-nude who stand next to the horses, with raised arms and fingers folded back, count the things that were to be; and just as they themselves are nude, so all worldly science is naked and open to their minds. The woman surrounded by serpents as she sits, having a basin before her, signifies the Church and the preachers who will preach it, so that whoever will wish to go to it will not be able unless he is first washed in that basin.

13. De nominibus iudicum et eorum instructionibus.

13. On the names of the judges and their instructions.

Primicerius, id est prima manus: chera enim grece, latine manus dicitur. Primicerius apud Grecos Papia vocatur. Ipse debet habere curam de clavibus totius palatii et esse ibi honorabilis apud imperatorem; die noctuque in palatio existere debet.

Primicerius, that is, first hand: for chera in Greek is called hand in Latin. The Primicerius among the Greeks is called Papia. He ought to have charge of the keys of the whole palace and to be there honorable with the emperor; by day and by night he ought to be present in the palace.

Secundicerius, id est secunda manus. Apud Grecos vocatur deptereu; in palatio honorabilis est, et ibi esse debet die et noctu, corone et omnium vestimentorum que per festivitates induuntur ipse debet habere curam. Nomenculator latine, apud Grecos questor dicitur.

Secundicerius, that is the second hand. Among the Greeks he is called deptereu; in the palace he is honorable, and there he ought to be by day and by night; he himself ought to have the care of the crown and of all the garments which are donned during festivities. Nomenculator in Latin, among the Greeks is called quaestor.

Ipse debet habere curam de viduis et orphanis et omnibus xenodochiis, et apud eum debet disputari de testamentis. Primus defensor latine, apud Grecos prohecdicos vocatur. Debet habere homines sub se, qui defendant sedem imperi.

He himself ought to have care for widows and orphans and all the xenodochia, and before him testaments ought to be disputed; the First Defender in Latin, among the Greeks is called prohecdicos. He ought to have men under him who may defend the seat of the empire.

Archarius, qui ab archano dicitur debet scire secreta consilia imperatoris et colligere censum. Saccellarius debet habere curam monasteriorum ancillarum Dei et in festivitatibus debet introducere ante imperatorem. Protoscriniarius, id est primus scriniariorum.

The Archarius, who is so called from the arcanum, ought to know the secret counsels of the emperor and to collect the census. The Saccellarius ought to have the care of the monasteries of the handmaids of God, and on festal days he ought to introduce them before the emperor. The Protoscriniarius, that is, the first of the scriniarii.

Bibliothecarius, apud Grecos logothenos. Referendarius, ipse debet renuntiare omnem scriptionem ad imperatorem.

Librarian, among the Greeks a logothete. Referendary, he himself ought to report every writing to the emperor.

14. De columpna Antonini et Traiani.

14. On the column of Antoninus and Trajan.

Columpna Antonini coclidis habet in altum pedes CLXXV, gradus numero CCIII, fenestras XLV. Columpna Traiani coclidis habet in altum pedes CXXXVIII, gradus numero CLXXXV, fenestras XLV. Coliseum amphiteatrum habet in altum pedes submissales CVIII.

The cochleate column of Antoninus has in height 175 feet, steps in number 203, windows 45. The cochleate column of Trajan has in height 138 feet, steps in number 185, windows 45. The Coliseum amphitheatre has in height, at the lower tier, 108 feet.

15. Quare factus sit equus qui dicitur Constantinus.

15. Why the horse was made which is called Constantine.

Lateranis est quidam caballus hereus qui dicitur Constantini, sed non ita est; quia quicumque voluerit veritatem cognoscere hoc perlegat. Tempore consulum et senatorum, quidam rex potentissimus de Orientis partibus Italiam venit; ex parte Lateranis Romam obsedit; multa strage et bellis populum Romanum afflixit.Tunc quidam armiger magne forme et virtutis, audax et prudens surrexit, qui dixit consulibus et senatoribus: "Si esset qui liberaret vos de hac tribulatione, quid a senatu promeretur?". Qui respondentes dixerunt ei: "Quicquid ipse poposcerit mox obtinebit". Qui ait eis: "Date michi XXX milia sextertias et memoriam victorie michi facietis post peractum bellum, et optimum equum". Qui promiserunt se facturos quicquid ipse petierat. Qui ait: "Media nocte surgite et omnes armamini et state iuxta muros in specula, et quicquid vobis dixero facietis". Et illi continuo fecerunt imperata.

At the Lateran there is a certain bronze horse which is said to be Constantine’s, but it is not so; for whoever will wish to know the truth, let him read this through. In the time of the consuls and senators, a certain most powerful king from the parts of the Orient came to Italy; from the side of the Lateran he besieged Rome; with much slaughter and wars he afflicted the Roman people.Then a certain armiger of great form and virtue, bold and prudent, rose up, who said to the consuls and senators: "If there were one who would free you from this tribulation, what would he merit from the senate?" They, responding, said to him: "Whatever he himself shall have asked for he will obtain at once." He said to them: "Give to me 30 thousand sesterces and you will make for me a memory of the victory after the war is completed, and the best horse." They promised that they would do whatever he had requested. He said: "At midnight rise and all arm yourselves and stand near the walls on watch, and whatever I shall have said to you you will do." And they immediately did the things commanded.

Qui ascendit equum sine sella et tulit falcem. Per plurimas enim noctes viderat illum regem ad pedem cuiusdam arboris pro necessario venire; in cuius adventu cocovaia que in arbore sedebat semper cantabat. Ille vero exivit urbem et fecit herbam quam in fascem religatam portabat ante se, more scutiferi.

He mounted the horse without a saddle and took up a sickle. For through very many nights he had seen that king come to the foot of a certain tree to attend to his necessity; and upon his arrival the owl which sat in the tree always sang. He, however, went out of the city and made up grass which, bound into a bundle, he carried before him, in the manner of a shield-bearer.

Qui statim ut audivit cocovaiam cantantem accessit propius, cognovit illum regem venisse ad arborem. Ivit ergo contra eum, qui iam peregerat necessaria. Socii qui erant cum rege putabant illum esse suorum; ceperunt clamare ut ipse auferret se de via ante regem.

As soon as he heard the owl singing, he approached nearer and recognized that the king had come to the tree. He therefore went toward him, who had already finished attending to his necessities. The companions who were with the king thought he was one of their own; they began to shout that he should get himself out of the way before the king.

Sed ille non dimittens propter eos, fingens se de loco abire, iuncxit se regi, et pre fortitudine sua illis omnibus spretis vi arripuit regem et portavit eum. Mox cum venisset ad muros civitatis cepit clamare: "Exite foras et interficite omnem exercitum regis quia ecce ipsum teneo captivum". Qui exeuntes alios interfecerunt, alios in fugam miserunt; unde Romani innumerabile pondus auri et argenti habuerunt. Sic gloriosi ad urbem redierunt, et quod predicto armigero promiserant persolverunt, XXX scilicet milia sextertias et equum hereum pro memoria deauratum et sine sella, ipso desuper residente, extenta manu qua ceperat regem; in capite equi, memoriam cocovaie ad cantum cuius victoriam fecerat.

But he, not letting go on their account, feigning that he was going to depart from the place, yoked himself to the king, and, through his fortitude, with all of them spurned, by force he seized the king and carried him. Soon, when he had come to the walls of the city, he began to shout: "Come forth and slay the whole army of the king, because behold I hold him captive." They, going out, killed some, sent others into flight; whence the Romans had an innumerable weight of gold and silver. Thus the glorious returned to the city, and they paid what they had promised to the aforesaid armiger, namely 30 thousand sesterces and a brazen horse for a memorial, gilded and without a saddle, with himself seated above, with the outstretched hand with which he had taken the king; on the head of the horse, a memorial of the cocovaia, at whose song he had made the victory.

Ipsum quoque regem, qui parve persone fuerat, retro ligatis manibus, sicuti eum ceperat, sub ungula memorialiter destinavit.

He also designated the king himself, who had been of small stature, with his hands tied behind, just as he had seized him, under the hoof as a memorial.

16. Quare factum sit Pantheon et postmodum oratio Bonifacii.

16. Why the Pantheon was made and afterward the oration of Boniface.

Temporibus consulum et senatorum, Agrippa prefectus subiugavit Romano senatui Suevios, Saxones, et alios occidentales populos, cum quatuor legionibus, in cuius reversione tintinnabulum statue Perside, que erat in Capitolio, in templo lovis et Monete (sonuit). Uniuscuiusque regni totius orbis erat statua in Capitolio, cum tintinnabulo ad collum; statim ut sonabat tintinnabulum, cognoscebant illud regnum esse rebelle. Cuius tintinnabulum audiens sacerdos qui erat in speculo in ebdomada sua, nuntiavit senatoribus. Senatores autem hanc legationem prefecto Agrippe imposuerunt.

In the times of the consuls and senators, Agrippa the prefect subjugated to the Roman senate the Suevi, the Saxons, and other western peoples, with four legions; on his return the tintinnabulum of the statue Persia, which was in the Capitol, in the temple of Jupiter and Moneta, (sounded). Of each kingdom of the whole world there was a statue in the Capitol, with a tintinnabulum at the neck; as soon as the tintinnabulum sounded, they knew that that kingdom was rebellious. Hearing the tintinnabulum, the priest who was at the lookout in his hebdomad announced it to the senators. The senators, moreover, imposed this legation upon Prefect Agrippa.

Qui rennuens non posse pati tantum negotium, tandem convictus petiit consilium trium dierum; in quo termino quadam nocte ex nimio cogitatu obdormivit. Apparuit ei quedam femina, que ait: "Agrippa, quid agis? in magno cogitatu es", qui respondit ei: "Sum, domina". Que dixit: "Confortare et promitte michi te templum facturum quale tibi ostendo, ei dico tibi si eris victurus". Qui ait: "Faciam, domina". Que in illa visione ostendit ei templum in hunc modum.

He, refusing, that he could not bear so great a business, at length, being convinced, asked counsel of three days; within which term, on a certain night, from excessive cogitation he fell asleep. A certain woman appeared to him, who said: "Agrippa, what are you doing? you are in great thought," who replied to her: "I am, lady." She said: "Take courage and promise me you will make a temple such as I show you, and I will tell you whether you will be victorious." He said: "I will do it, lady." And in that vision she showed him a temple in this manner.

Qui dixit: "Domina, que es tu?". Que ait: "Ego sum Cibeles, mater deorum. Fer libamina Neptuno qui est magnus deus, ut te adiuvet. Hoc templum fac dedicari ad honorem meum et Neptuni, quia tecum erimus et vinces". Agrippa vero surgens letus hoc recitavit in senatu.

Who said: "Lady, who are you?". She said: "I am Cybele, mother of the gods. Bear libations to Neptune who is a great god, that he may help you. Have this temple be dedicated to my honor and to Neptune’s, because we will be with you and you will conquer." Agrippa, for his part, rising joyful, recited this in the senate.

Cum magno apparatu navium, cum quinque legionibus, ivit et vicit omnes Persas et posuit eos annualiter sub tributo Romani senatus. Rediens Romam fecit hoc templum et dedicari fecit ad honorem Cibeles matris deorum et Neptuni dei marini et omnium demoniorum et posuit huic templo nomen Pantheon. Ad honorem cuius Cibeles fecit statua deauratam, quam posuit in fastigio templi super foramen et cooperuit eam mirifico tegmine ereo deaurato.

With a great apparatus of ships, with five legions, he went and conquered all the Persians and placed them annually under tribute to the Roman senate. Returning to Rome he made this temple and caused it to be dedicated to the honor of Cybele, mother of the gods, and Neptune, the sea-god, and of all demons, and he gave to this temple the name Pantheon. In whose honor he made a gilded statue of Cybele, which he placed on the pediment of the temple above the opening, and he covered it with a wondrous gilded bronze covering.

Venit Bonifatius papa tempore Foce imperatoris christiani. Videns illud templum ita mirabile dedicatum ad honorem Cibeles matris deorum, ante quod multotiens a demonibus Christiani percutiebantur, rogavit papa imperatorem ut condonaret ei hoc templum; ut sicut in kalendis novembris dedicatum fuit ad honorem Cibeles matris deorum, sic illud dedicaret in kalendis novembris ad honorem beate Marie semper virginis que est mater omnium sanctorum. Quod Cesar ei concessit, et papa cum omni Romano populo in die kalendis novembris dedicavit; et statuit ut in isto die Romanus pontifex ibi celebraret missam et populus accipiat corpus et sanguinem Domini, sicut in die Natalis Domini; et in isto die omnes sancti cum matre sua Maria semper virgine et celestibus spiritibus habeant festivitatem et defuncti habeant per ecclesias totius mundi sacrificium pro redemptione animarum suarum.

Pope Boniface came in the time of Phocas, the Christian emperor. Seeing that temple so marvelous, dedicated to the honor of Cybele, the mother of the gods, before which Christians were many times struck by demons, the pope asked the emperor to grant him this temple; that just as on the Kalends of November it had been dedicated to the honor of Cybele, the mother of the gods, so he might dedicate it on the Kalends of November to the honor of the blessed Mary ever Virgin, who is the mother of all the saints. Which the Caesar granted to him, and the pope, with all the Roman people, dedicated it on the day of the Kalends of November; and he ordained that on this day the Roman Pontiff should celebrate Mass there and the people should receive the Body and Blood of the Lord, just as on the day of the Nativity of the Lord; and on this day all the saints, with their mother Mary ever Virgin, and the heavenly spirits should have a festivity, and the departed should have, through the churches of the whole world, a sacrifice for the redemption of their souls.

17. Quare Octavianus vocatus sit Augustus et quare dicatur ecclesia sancti Petri ad vincula.

17. Why Octavian was called Augustus and why the church of Saint Peter at the Chains is so called.

Interfecto lulio Cesare a senatu, Octavianus eius nepos sumpsit imperium. Contra quem Antonius eius cognatus, cuius baiulus post mortem Cesaris remanserat, nitebatur multo certamine ei auferre imperium; et repudiata Octaviani sorore duxit in uxorem Cleopatram reginam Egipti potentissimam in auro et argento et lapidibus pretiosis et populo. Cumque Antonius et Cleopatra cum magno apparatu navium et populi contra Romam venire cepissent, hoc Rome auditum est.

With Julius Caesar slain by the senate, Octavian, his grandson, took up the imperium. Against him Antony, his kinsman, who after Caesar’s death had remained as his steward, strove with much contest to take the imperium away from him; and, Octavian’s sister having been repudiated, he took to wife Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, most powerful in gold and silver and precious stones and in people. And when Antony and Cleopatra began to come against Rome with a great apparatus of ships and populace, this was heard at Rome.

Octavianus vero cum ingenti apparatu ivit et aggressus est eos ad Epirum et sic orta est pugna. Navis regine que tota deaurata erat cepit declinare. Antonius videns navem regine declinare declinavit.

Octavian, however, went with an immense apparatus and attacked them at Epirus, and thus a battle arose. The queen’s ship, which was wholly gilded, began to turn aside. Antony, seeing the queen’s ship turn aside, turned aside.

Quam insecutus est usque Alexandriam. Qui irruit in ferrum et mortuus est. Cleopatra autem, videns se conservatam pro triumpho, ornata auro et lapidibus pretiosis voluit sua pulchritudine Octavianum decipere, sed non potuit.

He pursued her as far as Alexandria. He rushed upon the sword and died. But Cleopatra, seeing herself preserved for a triumph, ornate with gold and precious stones, wished to deceive Octavian by her own beauty, but she could not.

Videns se ita despectam, ita ornata intravit mausoleum viri sui et posuit ad mammillas duas ptisanas, quod est genus serpentis et ita suaviter suxerunt quod obdormivit et mortua est. Octavianus inde tulit infinitam pecuniam ex illa victoria et triumphavit Alexandriam et Egiptum et totam regionis Orientis, et ita victoriosus reversus est Romam. Et susceperunt eum senatores et omnis populus Romanus cum magno triumpho.

Seeing herself thus despised, thus adorned she entered the mausoleum of her husband and placed at her breasts two ptisanas, which is a kind of serpent, and they so sweetly sucked that she fell asleep and died. Octavian thence took infinite money from that victory and triumphed over Alexandria and Egypt and the whole region of the East, and thus victorious returned to Rome. And the senators and all the Roman people received him with great triumph.

Et quia victoria ista fuit in sextilibus kalendis, posuerunt ei nomen Augusti ab augendo rem publicam, et statuerunt ut omni anno in kalendis Augusti tota civitas habeat festivitatem letitie illius prelibate victorie, ad honorem Octaviani Cesaris Augusti, et tota urbs floreat et gaudeat in tanta festivitate. Hic ritus pervenit usque ad tempus Archadii viri Eudoxie. Mortuo eius marito, remansit cum filio suo Theodosio parvulo; qui viriliter regebat (imperium) ac si eius vir Archadius viveret.

And because that victory was on the Kalends of Sextilis, they conferred upon him the name Augustus from augmenting the commonwealth, and they decreed that every year on the Kalends of August the whole community should have a festivity of joy for that aforementioned victory, in honor of Octavian Caesar Augustus, and that the whole city should flourish and rejoice in so great a festivity. This rite endured down to the time of Arcadius, the husband of Eudoxia. Her husband having died, she remained with her little son Theodosius; who manfully was ruling the (empire) as if her husband Arcadius were living.

Inspirata divino nutu et negotio rei publice ivit Ierosolimam, sepulchrum Dei et alia sanctuaria visitavit. Inter multa negotia rei publice comprovinciales detulerunt ei ingentia munera, inter que quidam Iudeus attulit ei catenas beati Petri apostoli, quibus ligatus fuit ab Herode in carcere sub quatuor quaternionibus. Quas ut vidit regina nimium letata est super omnia alia munera; cogitavit eas catenas non alibi poni in condigno loco nisi ubi corpus beati Petri requiescit in pulvere.

Inspired by divine prompting and on the business of the commonwealth, she went to Jerusalem, visited the Sepulchre of God and other sanctuaries. Amid many affairs of the commonwealth the co-provincials brought to her immense gifts, among which a certain Jew brought to her the chains of the blessed Apostle Peter, with which he had been bound by Herod in prison under four quaternions. When the queen saw them, she rejoiced exceedingly beyond all the other gifts; she thought that those chains should be placed nowhere else in a condign place except where the body of the blessed Peter rests in the dust.

Veniens autem Romam in kalendis augusti, vidit illum antiquissimum ritum paganitatis a populo Romano tam celeberrime fieri in sextilibus kalendis, quem nullus pontificum removere potuit. Aggressa est papam Pelagium et senatores et populum, quatinus hoc munus quod petere vellet ei concederetur. Cui diligenter condonare promiserunt.

Coming, however, to Rome on the Kalends of August, she saw that most ancient rite of paganism being celebrated by the Roman people with the highest celebrity on the Sextile Kalends, which none of the pontiffs had been able to remove. She approached Pope Pelagius and the senators and the people, to the end that this favor which she wished to request might be conceded to her. And they carefully promised to grant it to her.

Regina vero dixit: "Video vos tam sollicitos in sextiles festivitates in honorem imperatoris mortui Octaviani, pro victoria quam fecit de Egiptiis; rogo vos ut michi donetis honorem imperatoris mortui Octaviani ad honorem imperatoris celestis et apostoli eius Petri, cuius catenas a Ierosolimis adduxi. Et sicut ille liberavit nos ab Egiptiaca servitute, ita iste imperator liberet nos a servitute demonum. Et volo facere ecclesiam ad honorem Dei et beati Petri, ibique ponere catenas, quam ecclesiam domnus apostolicus dedicet in kalendis augusti et vocetur Sanctus Petrus ad vincula ubi domnus apostolicus annualiter in hac ecclesia missarum solempnia celebret.

But the queen said: "I see you so solicitous in the sextile festivities in honor of the dead emperor Octavian, for the victory which he made over the Egyptians; I beg you to grant to me the honor of the dead emperor Octavian for the honor of the heavenly emperor and his apostle Peter, whose chains I have brought from Jerusalem. And just as he freed us from Egyptian servitude, so may this emperor free us from the servitude of demons. And I wish to make a church to the honor of God and of blessed Peter, and there to place the chains, which church the apostolic lord should dedicate on the Kalends of August and be called Saint Peter at the Chains, where the apostolic lord annually in this church may celebrate the solemnities of masses."

Et sicut beatus Petrus ab angelo solutus fuit, ita Romanus populus a peccato cum benedictione liberatus recedat". Quod populus audiens gravissime suscepit; tandem rogatu pape et regine concessit. Que fabricavit ecclesiam, quam dominus papa dedicavit in kalendis augusti, sicut Eudoxia christianissima imperatrix proposuerat, ubi posuit catenas beati Petri et catenas beati Pauli Neronianas, ut ibi populus Romanus in hoc die kalendarum sextilium confluat et salutet catenas apostolorum Petri et Pauli.

"And just as blessed Peter was loosed by an angel, so may the Roman people depart freed from sin with benediction." Which, when the people heard, they received most gravely; at length, at the entreaty of the pope and the queen, they conceded. She built a church, which the lord Pope dedicated on the Kalends of August, just as Eudoxia, the most Christian empress, had proposed, where she placed the chains of blessed Peter and the Neronian chains of blessed Paul, so that there the Roman people on this day of the Kalends of August might converge and salute the chains of the apostles Peter and Paul.

18. (De Vaticano et agulio).

18. (On the Vatican and the agulio).

Infra palatium Neronianum est templum Apollinis, quod dicitur Sancta Petronilla, ante quod est basilica que vocatur Vaticanum, ex mirifico musibo laqueata, auro et vitro. Ideo dicitur Vaticanum quia vates, id est sacerdotes, canebant ibi sua officia ante templum Apollinis. Et iccirco tota illa pars ecclesie sancti Petri Vaticanum vocatur.

Beneath the Neronian palace is a temple of Apollo, which is called Saint Petronilla, before which is a basilica that is called the Vatican, coffered with wondrous mosaic, with gold and glass. Therefore it is called Vatican because the vates, that is, priests, sang their offices there before the temple of Apollo. And for that reason that whole part of the church of Saint Peter is called the Vatican.

Ibique est aliud templum quod fuit vestarium Neronis, quod nunc vocatur sanctus Andreas. Iuxta quod est memoria Cesaris, id est agulia, ubi splendide cinis eius in suo sarcophago requiescit: ut sicut eo vivente totus mundus ei subiectus fuit, ita eo mortuo usque in finem seculi subicietur. Cuius memoria inferius ornata fuit tabulis ereis et deauratis, litteris latinis decenter depicta.

And there is also another temple which was the vestiary of Nero, which now is called Saint Andrew. Next to it is the memorial of Caesar, that is, the obelisk, where splendidly his ash rests in his own sarcophagus: so that, just as while he was living the whole world was subjected to him, so, he being dead, it will be subjected even to the end of the age. The lower part of whose memorial was adorned with bronze and gilded tablets, elegantly inscribed with Latin letters.

Superius vero ad malum, ubi requiescit, auro et preciosis lapidibus decoratur, ubi scriptum est: Cesar tantus eras quantus et orbis sed nunc in modico clauderis antro et hec memoria sacrata fuit suo more, sicut adhuc apparet et legitur.

Higher up, however, at the apple, where he rests, it is adorned with gold and precious stones, where it is written: Caesar, you were as great as the world, but now you are shut in a small cave; and this memorial was consecrated in its own manner, as still appears and is read.

19. (De cantaro Sancti Petri).

19. (On the cantaro of Saint Peter).

In paradiso sancti Petri est cantarum quod fecit Simacus papa columpnis porphireticis ornatumque tabulis marmoreis cum griphonibus connexe, precioso celo ereo cooperte, cum floribus et delfinis ereis et deauratis, aquas fundentibus. In medio cantari est pinea erea que fuit coopertorium cum sinino ereo et deaurato super statuam Cibeles matris deorum, in foramine Pantheon. In quam pineam subterranea fistula subministrabat aquam ex forma Sabbatina, que toto tempore plena prebebat aquam per foramina nucum omnibus indigentibus ea et per subterraneam fistulam quedam pars fluebat ad balneum imperatoris iuxta aguleam.

In the paradise of Saint Peter there is a cantharus which Pope Symmachus made, adorned with porphyritic columns and with marble panels linked by griffins, covered with a precious bronze canopy, with bronze and gilded flowers and dolphins, pouring waters. In the middle of the cantharus is a bronze pine-cone which had been a cover, with a bronze and gilded sininum, over the statue of Cybele, mother of the gods, in the opening of the Pantheon. Into which pine-cone an underground pipe supplied water from the Forma Sabbatina, which, full at all times, furnished water through the holes of the nuts to all in need of it, and through an underground pipe a certain part flowed to the emperor’s bath next to the Needle.

20. (De meta et de tiburtino Neronis).

20. (On the meta and on Nero’s tiburtinum).

In Naumachia est sepulcrum Romuli, quod vocatur Meta, que fuit de miro lapide tabulata, ex quibus factum est pavimentum paradisi et graduum sancti Petri. Habuit circa se plateam tiburtinam XX pedum cum cloaca et florali suo. Circa se habuit tiburtinum Neronis tante altitudinis quantum castellum Adriani, miro lapide tabulatam, ex quibus opus graduum et paradisi peractum fuit.

In the Naumachia is the sepulcher of Romulus, which is called the Meta, which was paneled with wondrous stone slabs, from which the pavement of the paradise and of the steps of Saint Peter was made. It had around it a Tiburtine (travertine) pavement of 20 feet, with a sewer and its floral ornament. Around it there was Nero’s Tiburtine structure, of such height as the Castle of Hadrian, paneled with wondrous stone, from which the work of the steps and of the paradise was completed.

Quod edificium rotundum fuit duobus gironibus sicut castrum, quorum labia erant cooperta tabulis lapideis pro stillicidiis, iuxta quod fuit crucifixus beatus Petrus apostolus.

Which edifice was round, with two circuits like a castle, whose lips were covered with stone slabs for drip-shedding, near which the blessed apostle Peter was crucified.

21. (De Castello Adriani).

21. (On the Castle of Hadrian).

Est et castellum quod fuit templum Adriani, sicut legimus in sermone festivitatis sancti Petri, ubi dicit: "Memoria Adriani imperatoris mire magnitudinis templum constructum", quod totum lapidibus coopertum et diversis ystoriis est perornatum. In circuitu vero cancellis ereis circumseptum cum pavonibus aureis et tauro; ex quibus fuere duo qui sunt in cantaro paradisi. In IIIIor partes templi fuere IIIIor caballi erei deaurati; in unaquaque fronte porte eree.

There is also a castle which was the temple of Hadrian, as we read in the sermon for the feast of Saint Peter, where it says: "A memorial of Hadrian the emperor, a temple constructed of wondrous magnitude," which was entirely covered with stones and was adorned with diverse histories. And in its circuit it was enclosed with bronze lattice-rails, with golden peacocks and a bull; of which two were those that are in the cantharus of the Paradise. On the 4 sides of the temple there were 4 bronze, gilded horses; on each face, bronze gates.

In medio giro sepulchrum Adriani porfireticum, quod nunc est Lateranis ante fulloniam; coopertorium est in paradiso sancti Petri super sepulchrum prefecti. Inferius autem porte eree, sicut nunc apparent. Hec monumenta que diximus omnia pro templis dedicata erant ad que confluebant Romane virgines cum votis sicut dicit Ovidius in libro Faustorum.

In the middle of the circuit, the porphyritic sepulchre of Hadrian, which is now at the Lateran before the Fullery; its covering is in the Paradise of Saint Peter over the tomb of the Prefect. Below, moreover, the bronze doors, as they now appear. These monuments which we have mentioned were all dedicated as temples, to which the Roman virgins used to flock with vows, as Ovid says in the book of the Fasti.

22. (De Augusto).

22. (On Augustus).

Ad portam Flammineam fecit Octavianus quoddam castellum quod vocatur Augustum, ubi sepelirentur imperatores, quod tabulatum fuit diversis lapidibus. Intus in girum est concavum per occultas vias. In inferiori giro sunt sepulture imperatorum.

At the Flaminian Gate Octavian made a certain castellum which is called the Augustus, where the emperors might be buried; it was paneled with diverse stones. Within, in a ring, there is a concavity through hidden ways. In the lower ring are the sepulchers of the emperors.

In unaquaque sepultura sunt littere ita dicentes: "Hec sunt ossa et cinis Nerve imperatoris et victoria quam fecit". Ante quos stabat statua dei sui, sicut in aliis omnibus sepulcris. In medio sepulcrorum est absida ubi sepe sedebat Octavianus, ibique erant sacerdotes facientes sua cerimonia. De omnibus regnis totius orbis iussit venire unum cirothecam plenum de terra, quam posuit super templum, ut esset in memoriam omnibus gentibus Romam venientibus.

In each sepulture there are letters thus saying: "These are the bones and ash of the emperor Nerva and the victory which he made." Before each of them stood the statue of his own god, as in all the other sepulchers. In the midst of the sepulchers there is an apse where Octavian often used to sit, and there there were priests performing their ceremony. From all the kingdoms of the whole world he ordered one chirotheca, full of earth, to come, which he placed upon the temple, so that it might be in remembrance for all the nations coming to Rome.

23. (De diversis locis).

23. (On various places).

In fastigio Pantheon frontis stabant duo tauri erei et deaurati. Ante palatium Alexandri fuere duo templa, Flore et Phebi. Post palatium, ubi nunc est conca, fuit templum Bellone; ibi fuit scriptum: "Roma vetusta fui, sed nunc nova Roma vocabor, eruta ruderibus culmen ad alta fero". Ad concam Parrionis fuit templum Gnei Pompeii, mire magnitudinis et pulchritudinis.

On the pediment of the front of the Pantheon stood two brazen and gilded bulls. Before the palace of Alexander there were two temples, of Flora and of Phoebus. Behind the palace, where now there is a basin, there was a temple of Bellona; there was written: "I was ancient Rome, but now I shall be called New Rome, dug out from the ruins I bear my summit to the heights." At the basin of Parrionis there was a temple of Gnaeus Pompey, of wondrous greatness and beauty.

Monumentum vero illius quod dicitur Maiorentum, decenter ornatum, fuit oraculum Apollinis. Alia fuere, alia oracula. Ecclesia sancti Ursi fuit secretarium Neronis.

But the monument of that one which is called the Maiorentum, decently ornamented, was an oracle of Apollo. There were others, other oracles. The church of Saint Ursus was the secretarium of Nero.

In palatio Antonini, templum divi Antonini. Iuxta sanctum Salvatorem ante sanctam Mariam in Aquiro, templum Elii Adriani et arcus Pietatis. In campo Martio, templum Martis, ubi eligebantur consules in kalendas iulias et morabantur usque in kalendas ianuarias; si purus erat ille qui electus erat consul a crimine, confirmabatur ei consulatus.

In the palace of Antoninus, a temple of the deified Antoninus. Next to the Holy Savior, before Saint Mary in Aquiro, a temple of Aelius Hadrian and an Arch of Pietas. In the Campus Martius, a temple of Mars, where the consuls were chosen on the Kalends of July and remained until the Kalends of January; if he who had been elected consul was pure from crime, the consulship was confirmed to him.

In hoc templo Romani victores ponebant rostra navium ex quibus efficiebantur opera ad spectaculum omnium gentium. Iuxta Pantheon, templum Minerve Calcidie. Post sanctum Marcum, templum Apollinis.

In this temple the victorious Romans used to set up the ship-prows (rostra), from which works were fashioned for the spectacle of all peoples. Next to the Pantheon, the temple of Minerva Chalcidica. Behind Saint Mark, the temple of Apollo.

In Camilliano, ubi est sanctus Cyriacus, fuit templum Veste. In Calcarari, templum Veneris. In monasterio domne Rose, castellum Aureum, quod fuit oraculum lunonis.

In the Camillianum, where Saint Cyriacus is, there was a temple of Vesta. In the Calcararia, a temple of Venus. In the monastery of Lady Rose, the Golden Castle, which was an oracle of Juno.

24. (De Capitolio).

24. (On the Capitol).

Capitolium, quod erat caput mundi, ubi consules et senatores morabantur ad gubernandum orbem, cuius facies cooperta erat muris altis et firmis, diu super fastigium montis vitro et auro undique coopertis et miris operibus laqueatis. Infra arcem palatium fuit miris operibus, auro et argento et ere et lapidibus pretiosis perornatum, ut esset speculum omnibus gentibus. Templa quoque infra arcem fuere; que ad memoriam ducere possum, sunt hec: in summitate arcis, super porticum Crinorum, fuit templum Iovis et Monete, sicut repperitur in marthirologio Ovidii de Faustis; in partem fori, templum Veste et Cesaris; ibi fuit cathedra pontificum paganorum, ubi senatores posuerunt Iulium Cesarem, sexta die infra mensem martium; ex alia parte Capitolii, super Cannaparam, templum Iunonis; iuxta forum publicum, templum Herculis; in Tarpeio, templum Asilis, ubi interfectus fuit Iulius Cesar a senatu; in loco ubi est nunc Sancta Maria, fuere duo templa simul iuncta, cum palatio, Phebi et Carmentis, ubi Octavianus vidit visionem in celo; iuxta Camellariam, templum Iani, qui erat custos Capitolii.

The Capitol, which was the head of the world, where the consuls and senators dwelt for the governing of the orb, whose face was covered with high and strong walls, for a long time upon the summit of the hill, on all sides covered with glass and gold and with wondrous coffered works. Below the citadel there was a palace with marvelous works, adorned with gold and silver and bronze and precious stones, so that it might be a mirror to all the nations. Temples also were within the citadel; which I can call to memory are these: on the top of the citadel, above the Portico of the Crinorum, there was a temple of Jove and of Moneta, as is found in the martyrology of Ovid concerning the Fausti; toward the part of the Forum, a temple of Vesta and of Caesar; there was the cathedra of the pagan pontiffs, where the senators set Julius Caesar, on the sixth day within the month of March; on the other side of the Capitol, above the Cannapara, a temple of Juno; next to the public Forum, a temple of Hercules; on the Tarpeian, a temple of Asilis, where Julius Caesar was slain by the senate; in the place where Saint Mary is now, there were two temples joined together, with a palace, of Phoebus and Carmentis, where Octavian saw a vision in the sky; near the Camellaria, a temple of Janus, who was the guardian of the Capitol.

Ideo dicebatur aureum Capitolium quia pre omnibus regnis totius orbis pollebat sapientia et decore. Palatium Traiani et Adriani pene totum lapidibus constructum et miris operibus perornatum, diversis coloribus laqueatum, ubi est columna mire altitudinis et pulchritudinis cum celaturis historiarum horum imperatorum, sicut columna Antonini in palatio suo. Ex una parte fuit templum divi Traiani, ex alia divi Adriani.

Therefore it was called the Golden Capitol, because before all the realms of the whole world it excelled in wisdom and in decor. The palace of Trajan and of Hadrian was almost entirely constructed of stones and adorned with marvelous works, coffered in diverse colors, where there is a column of wondrous height and beauty, with chased reliefs of the histories of these emperors, just like the column of Antoninus in his own palace. On one side was the temple of the deified Trajan, on the other of the deified Hadrian.

In clivo Argentarii, templum Concordie et Saturni. In insula, templum Bachi. In fine huius insule Argentarie, templum Vespasiani.

On the Argentarius slope, the Temple of Concord and of Saturn. On the island, the Temple of Bacchus. At the end of this Argentaria island, the Temple of Vespasian.

In clivo Sancte Marie in Campo, templum Titi. Ubi est sanctus Basilius, templum Carmentis. Infra hunc terrninum fuit palatium cum duobus foris, Nerve cum templo suo divi Nerve, cum maiori foro Traiani, ante fores cuius templum Sospite dee.

On the slope of Saint Mary in the Field, the temple of Titus. Where Saint Basil is, the temple of Carmentis. Below this boundary was the palace with two fora, the Forum of Nerva with its own temple of the deified Nerva, with the larger Forum of Trajan, before whose doors was the temple of the goddess Sospita.

Ubi est sanctus Quiricus, templum Iovis. In muro sancti Basilii fuit magna tabula erea infixa, ubi fuit amicitia scripta in loco bono et notabili, que fuit inter Romanos et Iudeos tempore Iude Machabei.

Where Saint Quiricus is, a temple of Jove. On the wall of Saint Basil there was affixed a great bronze tablet, where a treaty of amity was written in a good and notable place, which was between the Romans and the Jews in the time of Judas Maccabaeus.

25. (De diversis locis).

25. (On diverse places).

Ante privatam Mamertini, templum Martis, ubi nunc iacet simulacrum eius. Iuxta eum templum Fatale, id est Sancta Martina; iuxta quod est templum Refugii, id est Sanctus Adrianus; prope, aliud templum Fatale. Iuxta privatam publicam, templum Fabiorum.

Before the private property of Mamertinus, the Temple of Mars, where now his image lies. Next to it, the Fatal Temple, that is Saint Martina; next to which is the Temple of Refuge, that is Saint Hadrian; near by, another Fatal Temple. Next to the private-public place, the Temple of the Fabii.

Post sanctum Sergium, templum Concordie, ante quod arcus triumphalis unde erat ascensus in Capitolium. Iuxta erarium publicum quod erat templum Saturni, ex alia parte fuit arcus miris lapidibus tabulatus, in quo fuit historia qualiter milites accipiebant a senatu donativa sua per saccellarium qui amministrabat hoc; que omnia pensabat in statera antequam darentur militibus, ideo vocatur Salvator de Statera.

After Saint Sergius, the Temple of Concord, before which a triumphal arch, whence there was an ascent to the Capitol. Next to the public treasury, which was the Temple of Saturn; on the other side there was an arch paneled with wondrous stones, on which there was a narrative how the soldiers received from the senate their donatives through the sacellarius who administered this; who weighed all these things on a balance before they were given to the soldiers; therefore it is called the Savior of the Balance.

In Cannapara, templum Cereris et Telluris cuius atrium duabus domibus ornatur per circuitum porticibus columpnatis, ut quicumque ibi sederet ad iudicium, undique videretur. Iuxta eam domum fuit palatium Cateline, ubi fuit ecclesia sancti Antonii; iuxta quam est iocus qui dicitur Infernus, eo quod antiquo tempore ibi eructuabat et magnam pernitiem Rome inferebat; ubi quidam nobilis miles, ut liberaretur civitas, responso suorum deorum armatus proiecit se, et clausa est terra, sic civitas liberata est. Ibi est templum Veste, ubi dicitur inferius draco cubare, sicut legimus in vita beati Silvestri.

In Cannapara, the temple of Ceres and Tellus, whose atrium is adorned by two houses, around, with colonnaded porticoes, so that whoever sat there for judgment might be seen from every side. Next to that house was the palace of Catiline, where there was the church of Saint Anthony; next to which is a place that is called Hell, because in ancient time it belched forth there and brought great perdition to Rome; where a certain noble soldier, that the city might be freed, armed by the response of his gods, threw himself, and the earth was closed; thus the city was freed. There is the temple of Vesta, where it is said that beneath a dragon lies, as we read in the life of blessed Sylvester.

Est ibi templum Palladis et forum Cesaris et templum Iani, qui previdet annum in principio et fine, sicut dicit Ovidius in Fastis; nunc autem dicitur turris Centii Fraiapanis. Templum Minerve cum arcu coniunctum est ei, nunc autem vocatur Sanctus Laurentius de Mirandi. Iuxta eum sancti Cosmatis ecclesia, que fuit templum Asili.

There is there the temple of Pallas and the forum of Caesar and the temple of Janus, who foresees the year at the beginning and the end, as Ovid says in the Fasti; now, however, it is called the tower of Cencius Frangipane. The temple of Minerva, conjoined to it by an arch, now, however, is called Saint Lawrence de Mirandi. Next to it, the church of Saint Cosmas, which was the temple of the Asylum.

Retro fuit templum Pacis et Latone; super idem, templum Romuli. Post Sanctam Mariam novam, duo templa Concordie et Pietatis. Iuxta arcum Septem lucernarum, templum Escolapii.

Behind was the Temple of Peace and of Latona; above the same, the Temple of Romulus. Behind Saint Mary the new, two temples of Concord and of Piety. Next to the Arch of the Seven Lamps, the Temple of Aesculapius.

Ideo dicitur Cartularium quia ibi fuit bibliotheca publica, de quibus XXVIII fuere in urbe. Superius fuit templum Palladis et templum Iunonis.

Therefore it is called the Cartularium because there was a public library there, of which 28 were in the city. Above was the temple of Pallas and the temple of Juno.

26. (De regione Colosei).

26. (On the region of the Colosseum).

Infra Palatium est templum Iuliani. In fronte Palatii, templum Solis. In eodem Palatio, templum Iovis quod vocatur Casa Maior.

Below the Palace is the temple of Julian. In front of the Palace, the temple of the Sun. In the same Palace, the temple of Jove, which is called the Casa Maior.

Ubi est Sanctus Cesarius fuit auguratorium Cesaris. Ante Coloseum, templum Solis, ubi flebant cerimonie simulacro quod stabat in fastigio Colosei. Septisolium fuit templum Solis et Lune, ante quod fuit templum Fortune.

Where Saint Caesarius is, there was the auguratorium of Caesar. Before the Colosseum, the temple of the Sun, where lamentation-ceremonies were held before the simulacrum which stood on the pediment of the Colosseum. The Septisolium was a temple of the Sun and the Moon, before which there was a temple of Fortune.

Sancta Balbina fuit mutatorium Cesaris; ibi fuere therme Severiane et Commodiane. Ubi est Sanctus Saba fuit area Apollinis et Splenis.

Saint Balbina was the mutatorium of Caesar; there were the Severian and Commodian thermae there. Where Saint Saba is, there was the area of Apollo and of Splenis.

27. (De Circo Maximo).

27. (On the Circus Maximus).

Circus Prisci Tarquinii fuit mire pulchritudinis, qui ita erat gradatus quod nemo Romanus offendebat alterum in visu ludi. In summitate erant arcus per circuitum vitro et fulvo auro laqueati. Superius erat domus Palatii in circuitu, ubi sedebant femine ad videndum ludum, XIIII kalendas madii quando fiebat ludus.

The Circus of Priscus Tarquinius was of wondrous beauty, which was so tiered that no Roman obstructed another in the sight of the games. At the summit there were arches all around, coffered with glass and tawny gold. Above, there was the house of the Palatium in circuit, where women sat to see the spectacle, on April 18, when the game took place.

In medio erant due agulie: minor habebat octoginta septem pedes semis, maior CXX duos. In summitate triumphalis arcus qui est in capite, stabat quidam eques ereus et deauratus qui videbatur facere impetum, ac si miles vellet currere equum. In alio arcu qui est in fine stabat alius eques ereus et deauratus similiter.

In the middle there were two obelisks: the smaller had eighty-seven and a half feet, the larger 122. At the summit of the triumphal arch which is at the head, there stood a certain equestrian, of bronze and gilded, who seemed to make an impetus, as if a soldier wished to run his horse. On the other arch which is at the end stood another equestrian, of bronze and gilded likewise.

In altitudine Palatii erat sedes imperatoris et regine, unde videbant ludum.

At the height of the Palace there was the seat of the emperor and the queen, whence they saw the game.

28. (De Celio monte).

28. (On the Caelian hill).

In Celio monte, templum Scipionis. Ante thermas Maximianas, ubi fuere due conce et duo templa Hisidis et Serapis. In Orphonotrophio, templum Apollinis.

On the Caelian hill, a temple of Scipio. Before the Maximian baths, where there were two conchae and two temples of Isis and Serapis. In the Orphanotrophium, a temple of Apollo.

In palatio Lateranis sunt quedam miranda sed non scribenda. In palatio Susurriano fuit templum Herculis.

In the Lateran palace there are certain miranda but not to be written. In the Susurrian palace there was a temple of Hercules.

29. (De Exquilino monte).

29. (On the Esquiline hill).

In Exquilino monte fuit templum Marii, quod nunc vocatur Cimbrum, eo quod vicit Cimbros. In palatio Licinii, templum Honoris et Diane. Ubi est Sancta Maria maior fuit templum Cybeles.

On the Esquiline hill there was a temple of Marius, which is now called the Cimbrian, for the reason that he conquered the Cimbri. In the palace of Licinius, a temple of Honor and Diana. Where Saint Mary Major is, there was a temple of Cybele.

Ubi est Sanctus Petrus ad vincula fuit templum Veneris. Ad sanctam Mariam in Fontana, templum Fauni; quod simulacrum locutum est Iuliano et decepit eum. In palatio Dioclitiani quatuor templa fuere, Asclepii et Saturni, Martis et Apollinis, que vocantur modii.

Where Saint Peter at the Chains is, there was a temple of Venus. At Saint Mary at the Fountain, a temple of Faunus; whose simulacrum spoke to Julian and deceived him. In the palace of Diocletian there were four temples, of Asclepius and Saturn, of Mars and Apollo, which are called modii.

In capite Trivii, fuit templum Veneris, ubi hactenus dicitur ortus Veneris. In palatio Tiberii, templum deorum. In cilio montis fuit templum lovis et Diane, quod nunc vocatur (Mensa) imperatoris, super palatium Constantini.

At the head of the Trivium, there was a temple of Venus, where up to now it is called the Rising of Venus. In the palace of Tiberius, a temple of the gods. On the brow of the hill there was a temple of Jove and Diana, which is now called the (Table) of the emperor, above the palace of Constantine.

Ibi in palatio fuit templum Saturni et Bachi, ubi nunc iacent simulacra eorum. Ibi iuxta sunt caballi marmorei. In thermis Olimpiadis, ubi fuit assatus beatus Laurentius, fuit templum Apollinis.

There in the palace was a temple of Saturn and of Bacchus, where now their simulacra lie. There nearby are marble horses. In the baths of Olympias, where blessed Lawrence was roasted, there was a temple of Apollo.

Ante palatium Traiani, ubi fores palatii nunc permanent, fuit templum.

Before the palace of Trajan, where the doors of the palace now remain, there was a temple.

30. (De diversis templis).

30. (On various temples).

In Aventino templum Mercurii aspiciens in circo et templum Palladis et fons Mercurii, ubi mercatores accipiebant responsa. Ad arcum Stadii, domus Aurelie Orestille; ex una parte templum Mecenatis, ex alia parte templum Iovis. Iuxta Scolam grecam fuit palatium Lentuli.

On the Aventine, a temple of Mercury facing the Circus, and a temple of Pallas, and the fountain of Mercury, where merchants used to receive responses. At the Arch of the Stadium, the house of Aurelia Orestilla; on one side the temple of Maecenas, on the other side the temple of Jove. Next to the Greek School was the palace of Lentulus.

Ex alia parte, ubi nunc est turris Centii de Orrigo, fuit templum Bachi. Ad Gradellas fuit templum Solis. Sanctus Stephanus rotundus fuit templum Fauni.

On the other side, where now is the tower of Centius de Orrigo, there was a temple of Bacchus. At the Gradellae there was a temple of the Sun. Saint Stephen the round was the temple of Faunus.

In Alephanto, templum Sibille, et templum Ciceronis in Tulliano, et templum lovis, ubi fuit pergula aurea, et templum Severianum ubi est sanctus Angelus. Ad Velum Aureum, templum Minerve. In ponte Iudeorum, templum Fauni.

In Alephanto, a temple of the Sibyl, and a temple of Cicero in the Tullianum, and a temple of Jove, where there was a golden pergola, and the Severian temple where Saint Angel is. At the Golden Veil, a temple of Minerva. On the Bridge of the Jews, a temple of Faunus.

Ad Caccavari, templum Craticule. Ad pontem Antoninum, circus Antonii, ubi nunc est Sancta Maria in Cataneo. Ad Sanctum Stephanum in Piscina, palatium Cromatii prefecti, templum quod dicebatur olovitreum, totum factum ex cristallo et auro per artem mathematicam, ubi erat astronomia cum omnibus signis celi; quod destruxit sanctus Sebastianus cum Tiburtio filio Cromatii.

At Caccavari, a temple of the Gridiron. At the Antonine bridge, the circus of Antonius, where now is Saint Mary in Cataneo. At Saint Stephen in Piscina, the palace of Cromatius the prefect, a temple which was called the olovitreum, wholly made from crystal and gold by mathematical art, where there was astronomy with all the signs of heaven; which Saint Sebastian destroyed together with Tiburtius, the son of Cromatius.

31. Quot sunt templa Trans Tiberim.

31. How many temples there are across the Tiber.

Trans Tiberim, ubi nunc est Sancta Maria, fuit templum Ravennatium, ubi terra manavit oleum tempore Octaviani, et fuit ibi domus meritoria, ubi merebantur milites qui gratis serviebant in senatu. Sub laniculo templum Gorgonis. Ad ripam fluminis, ubi naves morantur, templum Herculis.

Across the Tiber, where now is Saint Mary, there was a temple of the Ravennates, where the earth oozed oil in the time of Octavian, and there was there a lodging-house, where soldiers served who served gratis in the senate. Under the Janiculum, the temple of the Gorgon. At the riverbank, where the ships are moored, the temple of Hercules.

In Piscina, templum Fortune et Diane. In insula Licaonia, templum lovis et templum Esculapii. Foris portam Appiam, templum Martis et triumphalis arcus.

At the Piscina, a temple of Fortune and of Diana. On the Licaonian island, a temple of Jove and a temple of Aesculapius. Outside the Appian Gate, a temple of Mars and a triumphal arch.

32. Hec et alia multa templa et palatia imperatorum, consulum, senatorum prefectorumque tempore paganorum in hac Romama urbe fuere, sicut in priscis annalibus legimus et oculis nostris vidimus et ab antiquis audivimus. Quante etiam essent pulchritudinis, auri et argenti, heris et eboris pretiosorumque lapidum, scriptis ad posterorum memoriam quanto melius potuimus reducere curavimus.

32. These and many other temples and palaces of emperors, consuls, senators, and prefects existed in this Roman city in the time of the pagans, as we read in the ancient annals and saw with our own eyes and heard from the ancients. Of how great beauty they were, too—of gold and silver, bronze and ivory, and of precious stones—we have taken care, in writings for the memory of posterity, as well as we could, to recall.