which is now a Greek monastery, founded in 1002 by S. Ninus. In one of
its chapels are frescoes from the life of the saint, by Domenichino,
restored by Camuccini in 1819. Fairs are held here on the 28th of
March and 8th of September, drawing large crowds from the
neighbourhood as well as from Rome.
The villa stands on the site and is built out of the remains of
Cicero's Villa, which he purchased of Sylla the dictator at a great
price. To the south of the hill upon which the villa stands is a deep
dell, falling into which is the stream of the Aqua Craba, mentioned by
Cicero, now called the Maranna or running stream; and the plane-tree
still flourishes here as it did in his day. Cicero likewise mentions
that he had statues of the muses in his library, and a hermathena in
his academy, and these statues were actually found here. The scenes of
his "De Divinatione" and "Tusculan Disputations" were laid here. They
were not addressed to any public assembly, but he used to retire after
dinner to his so-called academy, and invited his guests to call for
the subject they wished explained, which became the argument of the
debate. These five discussions or conferences he collected and
published as the "Tusculan Disputations" after the name of his villa,
which was in the Tusculan territory, but not at the city itself. The
subjects were,--Contempt of Death; On Bearing Pain; Grief of Mind;
Other Perturbations of the Mind; Whether Virtue be Sufficient for a
Happy Life. It was here that he received news of his proscription.
A pleasant drive soon brings us to the foot of the hills, passing on
our way several tombs, and the ruined castle of the Savellis, a
medieval stronghold of the tenth century, called BORGHETTO, of which
only the outer walls are standing. Two miles below, _on our right_,
are the ruins of an immense reservoir of the aqueducts coming from the
Alban Hills, the TEPULA, 126 B.C.; the JULIA, 34 B.C.; and the
SEVERIANA, 190 A.D. It is known by the name of the CENTRONI. Just
below the bluff on which it stands, the stream of the Aqua Craba,
coming from Rocca di Papa, falls into the Almo coming from Marino;
united, they flow through an old tunnel under the road beyond the
bridge.
_We now strike the Via Tusculana or Frascati Road._
_On the left_ are the picturesque ruins of the VILLA OF SEPTIMIUS
BASSUS, consul 317 A.D. It is known by the name of Sette Bassi, or
Roma Vecchia. Part of the villa is of the time of Hadrian. About two
miles further on, _on our right_, is a tumulus, Monte del Grano, in
which was found the splendid sarcophagus now in the Capitoline Museum,
which contained the Portland Vase. It is not known to whom it
belonged. We next cross the Naples railway, and pass under PORTA FURBA
(Thieves' Arch), supporting the Acqua Felice. Looking back through the
arch, there is a beautiful view. Here we can see the arches of the
aqueducts distinctly: _on the left_, under the arch by the fountain,
the Claudia and Anio Novus; and _on the right_ the Marcia, Tepula, and
Julia. The stream in sight is the Maranna. From here the lane to the
right, a pleasant drive, leads to the Porta Maggiore, whilst that
straight on strikes the Via Appia Nova, near the Porta S. Giovanni.