Suetonius tells us "he made a reservoir like unto a sea," which no
doubt was afterwards used to supply the Colosseum with water for the
naval combats. The quadrata of the Cœlian is artificially formed,
and was evidently the great nymphæum connected with the Golden House.
The water was brought from the Claudian Aqueduct at the Porta Maggiore
upon arches, known as Nero's Arches, which ended near the Temple of
Claudius, and these arches end in the gardens now supported by the
walls forming the quadrata. The niches and hemicyclia on the east
side, with their channels of supply behind, were evidently fountains,
and the west side was probably similar in character, some of the
specuses still existing. The front towards the Colosseum formed a
grand cascade, the water falling into the reservoirs, the ruins of
which we see in advance of the north wall of the quadrata, and at a
lower level; from these it poured into the great stagnum or lake
below, now occupied by the Colosseum. Signor Alberto Cassio found
specuses all around the top, and a euripus or channel at the base; and
stalactites and _opus signinum_ can still be seen there.
_Turning to the right_ we pass under some medieval arches--flying
buttresses--to support the church. _On the left_ are some remains of
the house of Gregory; and, _on the right_, the wood of the Cœlian.
_This hill was the ancient Clivus Scauri. To the left_ the steps lead
up to