B.V. c. i. $8. ITALY. CISALPINE GAUL. 319 they had dominion over the sea. They say that it formerly stood on the sea ; now, however, the district is inland about 90 stadia from the sea. Ravenna is reported to have been founded by Thessalians, who not being able to sustain the violence of the Tyrrheni, welcomed into their city some of the Ombrici, who still possess it, while they themselves returned home. These cities for the most part are surrounded, and, as it were, washed by the marshes. 8. Opitergium, 1 Concordia, Atria, 2 Vicetia, 3 as well as some smaller cities, are less annoyed by the marshes : they communicate by small navigable canals with the sea. They say that Atria was formerly a famous city, from which the Adriatic Gulf, with a slight variation, received its name. Aquileia, which is the nearest to the head [of the gulf], was founded by the Romans, 4 to keep in check the barbarians dwelling higher up. You may navigate transport ships to it up the river Natisone for more than sixty stadia. This is the trading city with the .nations of Illyrians who dwell round the Danube. Some deal in marine merchandise, and carry in waggons wine in wooden casks and oil, and others exchange slaves, cattle, and hides. Aquileia is with- out the limits of the Heneti, their country being bounded by a river which flows from the mountains of the Alps, and is navigable for a distance of 1200 stadia, as far as the city of Noreia, 8 near to where Cnseus Carbo was defeated in his attack upon the Kimbrians. 6 This place contains fine stations for gold washing and iron-works. At the very head of the Adriatic is the Timavum, 7 a temple conse- crated to Diomede, worthy of notice. For it contains a har- bour and a fine grove, with seven springs of fresh water, which fall into the sea in a broad, deep river. 8 Polybius, however, says that, with the exception of one, they are all salt springs, and that it is on this account the place is called by the inhabitants the source and mother of the sea. Posi- donius, on the other hand, tells us that the river Timavo, after flowing from the mountains, precipitates itself into a chasm, 1 Oderzo. - Aclria. 3 Viceiiza. 4 About the year 186 before the Christian era. 5 Friesach in Steiermark. 6 113 years before the Christian era. 7 S. Giovanni del Carso. 8 The present Timavo.
