one of the most ancient cities of the Latin land. It was captured by
the Romans under Romulus, and destroyed by Alaric A.D. 409, who
encamped here when attacking Rome. Near by, the Anio flows into the
Tiber,--"with whirlpools dimpled, and with downward force." A
beautiful prospect of the surrounding country may be enjoyed. The
Tiber rolling his yellow billows to the sea, serpent like, through
green meadows; the blue Apennines, with snow-covered summits, looking
patronizingly down upon the village-crowned hills at their base; the
slopes of Monte Mario, dark with cork-wood foliage, _on our left_. Sir
W. Gell says that the high point nearest the road was the citadel,
below which is a cave that was once a sepulchre. One gate looked
towards Fidenæ, up the Tiber; another towards Rome; perhaps also one
toward Acqua Acetosa; and another in the direction of the meeting
waters.
_Beyond, the road crosses the Anio by_