(now Sebastiano), opening on the great highway of ancient Rome, the
VIA APPIA. This gate is the finest in the Aurelian walls, and, in its
splendid decorations, regard has evidently been paid to the road over
which it was built. All the rectangular stones of the substruction are
of white marble. It is curious, too, that considerable projections
have been left on most of the stones on the right side, whilst the
others present a smoothly hewn surface, evidently old material
re-used.
A fresco painting of the Madonna, said to be of the sixth century,
probably the work of a Greek soldier under Belisarius (as the
character of the painting is Byzantine), remains in the corridor of
Aurelian near this gate. It was over the head of the sentinels in the
path and near the third tower on the right side of the gate. The
existence of this painting was not known until it was discovered
accidentally by Mr. J. H. Parker, C.B., in 1870. _Entrance, first gate
on the left, inside the Arch of Drusus._ The gate-house is said to
have been built, in the time of King Theodoric, out of the ruins of
the Temple of Mars, which stood outside this gate. It was necessary
for the Temple of Mars to be outside the gate, and this one was
erected when the one outside the Porta Capena became obsolete, being
within the Aurelian walls.
Behind the right hand wooden gate are a figure of S. Michael and a
Gothic inscription cut in the marble, recording the repulse of Louis
of Bavaria in 1327.
_Descending_ the Hill of Mars, on the left, built into a house, is an
unknown tomb. Beyond, we cross the other branch of the Almo. _Upon the
left is_