344 STRABO. CASAUB. 231. Argyrusci and the Preferni, 1 being subdued, the whole of their different countries were included under the name of Latium. To the Volsci pertained the Pomentine plain, bordering on the territory of the Latini, and the city of Apiola, levelled to the ground 2 by Tarquinius Priscus. The -ZEqui principally were neighbours to the Quirites, whose cities Tarquinius Priscus likewise devastated. His son took Suessa, 3 the metropolis of the Volsci. The Hernici dwelt near to Lanuvium, Alba, and to Rome itself; neither were Aricia, 4 the Tellenae, and Antium 5 at any great distance. The Albani were at first friendly with the Romans, speaking as they did the same language, and being likewise of the Latin stock ; and though they were under separate govern- ments, this did not prevent them from marrying together, nor from performing in common the sacred ceremonies at Alba, and other civil rites. In after-time, however, war having sprung up, Alba was entirely destroyed with the ex- ception of the temple, and the Albani were declared citizens of Rome. Of the other surrounding cities, those which resisted were either destroyed or enfeebled, while others, which were friendly to the Romans, flourished. At the pre- sent day the coast from Ostia to the city of Sinuessa 6 is denominated the Latin coast ; formerly the country thus designated extended only so far as Circasum. 7 The interior also [of Latium] was formerly small ; but it afterwards ex- tended to Campania, the Samnitas, the Peligni, 8 and other nations dwelling around the Apennines. 5. The whole [of Latium] is fertile, and abounding in every production, with the exception of a few districts along the coast, which are marshy and unhealthy ; such as the country of Ardea, the lands between Antium and Lanuvium as far as Pometia, and certain of fhe districts of Setia, 9 Terracina, and Circaeum. Some parts may also be too moun- 1 Privernates of Pliny ; the chief city is now called Piperno. 2 604 years u. c. 3 Suessa surnamed Pometia, to distinguish it from Suessa Aurunca, is here alluded to. Its exact position does not appear to be known. 4 La Riccia. 5 Capo d' Anzo. 6 Monte Dragone. 7 Monte Circello. 8 According to Cluvier, Strabo was mistaken in making Latium extend to the country of the Peligni, as these latter were always separated from Latium by the Marsi. 9 Sezza.
