The PALATINE, which has ever had the preference, whether so-called
from the people Palantes, or Palatini, or from the bleating and
strolling of cattle, in Latin, _balare_ and _palare_, or from Pales,
the pastoral goddess, or from the burying-place of Pallas, is disputed
amongst authors. It was on this hill that Romulus, according to
popular tradition, laid the foundations of the city, in a quadrangular
form. Here Romulus and Tullus Hostilius kept their courts, as did
afterwards Augustus, and all the succeeding emperors, on which account
the word Palatium came to signify a royal seat (Rosin, "Antiq." i. 4).
The AVENTINE derives its name from Aventinus, an Alban king (Varro,
"De Ling. Lat." iv.), or from the river Avens (_ibid._), or from
Avibus, from the birds which used to fly thither in great flocks from
the Tiber (_ibid._). It was also called Murcius, from Murcia, the
goddess of sleep, who had a temple here (Sextus Pompeius, Festus).
Also Collis Dianæ, from the Temple of Diana (Martial). Likewise
Remonius, from Remus, who wished the city to be commenced here, and
who was buried here (Plutarch, in "Romulus"). This hill was added by
Ancus Martius ("Eutropius," i.).
The CAPITOLINE, formerly Saturn, then Tarpeian, took its name from
Tarpeia, a Roman virgin, who betrayed the city to the Sabines at this
point (Plutarch, in "Romulus"). It was also called Mons Saturni and
Saturnius, in honour of Saturn, who is reported to have lived here,
and was the titular deity of this part of the city. It was afterwards
called Capitoline, from the head of a man found here when digging the
foundations of the famous Temple of Jupiter. It was added to the city
when the Sabines were permitted by Romulus to incorporate themselves
with the Romans (Dionysius).
The QUIRINAL was either so called from the Temple of Quirinus, another
name of Romulus, or from the Curetes, a people that removed hither
with Tatius from Cures, a Sabine city (Sextus Pompeius, Festus). It
afterwards changed its name to Caballus, from two marble horses, each
having a man holding it, which are still standing, and were the works
of Phidias and Praxiteles ("Fabricii Roma," iii.), made to represent
Alexander the Great and Bucephalus, and presented to Nero by
Tiridates, king of Armenia. Numa added this hill to the city
(Dionysius, ii.).
The ESQUILINE was anciently called Cispius and Oppius ("Fabricii
Roma," 3). The name Esquilinus was varied for the easier pronunciation
from Exquilinus, a corruption of Excubinus, ab Excubiis, from the
watch that Romulus kept there ("Propert." ii. 8). It was taken in by
Servius Tullius, who had his palace here (Livy, i. 44).
The VIMINAL derives its name from Vimina, signifying osiers, which
grew here in large quantities. This hill was added by Servius Tullius
(Dionysius, iv.).
The CŒLIAN owes its name to Cœlius or Cœles, a famous Tuscan
general, who encamped here when he came to assist the Romans against
the Sabines (Varro, "De Ling. Lat." iv.). The other names by which it
was sometimes known were Querculanus or Querquetulanus, and Augustus:
the first, on account of its growth of oaks; and the second, because
the Emperor Tiberius built on it after a fire (Tacit. "Ann." iv.;
Suet. in "Tib." xlviii.). One part was called Cœliolus, and Minor
Cœliolus ("Fabricii Roma," 3). Livy (i. 30) and Dionysius (iii.)
attribute the taking of it into the city to Tullus Hostilius, but
Strabo ("Georg." v.) to Ancus Martius.
Whilst on the subject of the hills of Rome, three others are equally
famous.
The JANICULUM, or Janicularis, so called either from an old town of
the same name, said to have been built by Janus, or because Janus
dwelt and was buried here (Ovid, "F." i. 246), or because it was a
_janua_, a sort of gate to the Romans, whence they issued out upon the
Tuscans (Festus). Its yellow sand gave it the name of Mons Aureus,
corrupted into Montorius ("Fabricii Roma," i. 3). From an epigram of
Martial, we may observe that it is the fittest place to take one's
standing for a full prospect of the city (Martial, "Epig." iv. 64). It
is famous for the sepulchres of Numa and Statius the poet ("Fabricii
Roma," i. 3), and in more recent times as the grave of Tasso, and the
spot where tradition holds that S. Peter was executed.
The VATICAN owes its name to the _vates_, or prophets, who used to
give their answers here, or from the god Vaticanus or Vagitanus
(Festus). Formerly celebrated for the Gardens and Circus of Nero, the
scene of the Christian martyrdoms, and in our time for S. Peter's and
the Vatican. It was enclosed in the time of Aurelian, but was
considered as very unhealthy (Tacitus, "H." ii. 93).
The PINCIO (Collis Hortulorum, or Hortorum) took its name from the
gardens of Sallust adjoining it (Rosin, i. 2). It was afterwards
called Pincius, from the Pincii, a noble family who had their seat
here (_ibid._). Aurelian first enclosed it (_ibid._).
The Capitol tower is crowned by a statue of Roma; and the great bell
formerly announced, by a strange contrast, the death of the Pope and
the opening of the Carnival.
_Passing up into the square, in facing the Capitol, on the right, is
the_