Isidore of Seville: ETYMOLOGIARVM SIVE ORIGINVM LIBRI XX

[1] De auctoribus, conditarum urbium plerumque dissensio invenitur, adeo ut nec urbis quidem Romae origo possit diligenter agnosci. Nam Sallustius dicit (Cat. 6): 'Vrbem Romam, sicuti ego accepi, condere atque habitare initio Troiani et cum his Aborigines.' Alii dicunt ab Evandro, secundum quod Vergilius (Aen.

[1] Concerning the authors of founded cities, dissension is for the most part found, to such a degree that not even the origin of the city of Rome can be diligently recognized. For Sallust says (Cat. 6): 'The city of Rome, as I have received, at the beginning the Trojans and, with them, the Aborigines founded and inhabited.' Others say from Evander, according to what Virgil (Aen.

8,313):

Tunc rex Evandrus Romanae conditor arcis.

Then king Evander, founder of the Roman citadel.

Alii a Romulo, ut (Virg. Aen. 6,781):

Others from Romulus, as (Virgil, Aen. 6,781):

En huius, nate, auspiciis illa inclita Roma.

Lo, under this man's auspices, son, that illustrious Rome.

[2] Si igitur tantae civitatis certa ratio non apparet, non mirum si in aliarum opinione dubitatur. Vnde nec historicos nec commentatores varia dicentes imperite condemnare debemus, quia antiquitas ipsa creavit errorem. Sane quasdam, de quibus aut sanctae Scripturae aut historiae gentium certam originem referunt, paucis admodum verbis retexere oportet.

[2] If therefore a sure account of so great a city does not appear, it is no marvel if there is doubt in the opinion about other ones. Whence neither historians nor commentators, saying various things, ought we to condemn unskilfully, since antiquity itself created the error. Indeed certain matters, about which either the holy Scriptures or the histories of the nations report a sure origin, it is fitting to reweave in very few words.

[3] Primus ante diluvium Cain civitatem Enoch ex nomine filii sui in Naid condidit, quam urbem sola multitudine suae posteritatis implevit.

[3] First, before the Deluge, Cain founded in Nod the city Enoch, from the name of his son, which city he filled solely with the multitude of his own posterity.

[4] Primus post diluvium Nembroth gigans Babylonem urbem Mesopotamiae fundavit. Hanc Semiramis regina Assyriorum ampliavit, murumque urbis bitumine et cocto latere fecit. Vocabulum autem sumpsit a confusione, eo quod ibi confusae sint atque permixtae linguae aedificantium turrem.

[4] First after the flood, Nimrod the giant founded the city of Babylon in Mesopotamia. This Semiramis, queen of the Assyrians, enlarged, and she made the wall of the city with bitumen and baked brick. Moreover, it took its name from “confusion,” because there the languages of those building the tower were confused and intermixed.

[5] Iudaei asserunt Sem, filium Noe, quem dicunt Melchisedech, primum post diluvium in Syria condidisse urbem Salem, in qua regnum fuit eiusdem Melchisedech. Hanc postea tenuerunt Iebusaei, ex quibus et sortita vocabulum est Iebus; sicque duobus nominibus copulatis Iebus et Salem vocata est Hierusalem, quae postea a Salomone Hierosolyma quasi Hierosolomonia dicta est. Haec et corrupte a poetis Solyma nuncupata est, et postmodum ab Aelio Hadriano Aelia vocitata est.

[5] The Jews assert that Shem, son of Noah, whom they say is Melchisedech, was the first after the deluge to found in Syria the city Salem, in which was the kingdom of that same Melchisedech. This city later was held by the Jebusites, from whom it also obtained the name Iebus; and thus, with the two names conjoined, Iebus and Salem, it was called Hierusalem, which afterward by Solomon was called Hierosolyma, as if Hierosolomonia. This too, corruptly, was styled Solyma by the poets, and afterward by Aelius Hadrianus it was called Aelia.

[In] Ipsa est et Sion, quae Hebraice interpretatur speculatio, eo quod in sublimi constructa sit, et de longe venientia contempletur. Hierusalem [autem] pacifica in nostro sermone transfertur.

[In] This is also Zion, which in Hebrew is interpreted “speculation,” because it is built on high and contemplates those coming from afar. Jerusalem [however] is translated “peaceful” in our speech.

OPPIDA NOBILIA, QVI VEL QVAE CONSTITVERVNT.

NOTABLE TOWNS, WHO OR WHICH ESTABLISHED THEM.

[6]Dionys[i]us, qui et Liber pater, cum Indiam victor perambulasset, Nysam urbem ex suo nomine iuxta Indum fluvium condidit, et quinquaginta milibus hominum adimplevit.

[6]Dionysus [Dionysius], who is also Father Liber, when as victor he had traversed India, founded the city Nysa from his own name near the river Indus, and filled it with 50,000 men.

[7]Medus autem Aegei filius Mediam construxit; unde et regio eius Mediae nomen sortita est.

[7]Medus, however, the son of Aegeus, constructed Media; whence also his region received the name Media.

[8]Persepolim urbem caput Persici regni Perseus †Adeae† filius condidit famosissimam confertissimamque opibus; a quo et Persida dicta est.

[8] Perseus, son of †Adeae†, founded the city of Persepolis, the capital of the Persian kingdom, most famous and most densely packed with wealth; from whom also Persis was named.

[9]Ctesiphontem quoque Parthi apud Parthiam condiderunt in aemulationem Babyloniae urbis.

[9]The Parthians also founded Ctesiphon in Parthia in emulation of the city of Babylon.

[10]Susis oppidum Persidae aiunt Memnonis fratrem constituisse. Dicta autem Susis quod inmineat Susae fluvio. Ibi est regia Cyri, lapide candido et vario cum columnis aureis et lacunaribus gemmisque distincta, continens etiam simulacrum caeli stellis micantibus praesignatum, et cetera humanis mentibus incredibilia.

[10] The Persians say that the town Susis was established by the brother of Memnon. Moreover it is called Susis because it overhangs the river Susa. There is the palace of Cyrus, adorned with white and variegated stone, with golden columns and coffered ceilings and set off with gems, containing also a simulacrum of the sky marked out with glittering stars, and other things incredible to human minds.

[11] Bactrum oppidum Bactriani condiderunt, ex proprio amne eum cognominantes, qui Bactros vocatur.

[11] The Bactrians founded the town Bactrum, cognominating it from their own river, which is called Bactros.

[12] Carra civitas Mesopotamiae trans Edessam condita a Parthis, ubi quondam Romanus est caesus exercitus, et Crassus dux captus.

[12] Carra, a city of Mesopotamia beyond Edessa, founded by the Parthians, where once the Roman army was cut down, and the leader Crassus captured.

[13] Edessam urbem Mesopotamiae condidit Nembroth, filius Chus, postquam de Babylone migravit, in qua et regnavit; quae antea Arach cognominata est. Ipse construxit et Chalannen, quae postea verso nomine a Seleuco rege dicta est Seleucia. Philadelphiam urbem Arabiae condidit Raphaim, gens antiquissima, quam interfecerunt filii Loth.

[13] Edessa, a city of Mesopotamia, was founded by Nembroth, son of Chus, after he migrated from Babylon, in which he also reigned; which previously was surnamed Arach. He himself also constructed Chalannen, which afterwards, the name being turned, was called Seleucia by King Seleucus. Philadelphia, a city of Arabia, was founded by the Raphaim, a most ancient people, whom the sons of Lot slew.

[14] Seleucus, unus ex posteris Alexandri, post mortem eiusdem Alexandri occupato regno orientis urbem in Syria condidit, eamque ex Antiochi patris sui nomine Antiochiam nuncupavit, et Syriae caput instituit. Ipse quoque Laudiciam et Seleuciam, ipse Apamiam et Edessam urbem construxit.

[14] Seleucus, one of the descendants of Alexander, after the death of that same Alexander, with the kingdom of the East occupied, founded a city in Syria, and named it Antioch from the name of his father Antiochus, and instituted it as the capital of Syria. He himself also constructed Laodicea and Seleucia, he himself Apamea and the city of Edessa.

[15] Damascum Syriae conditam et nuncupatam a Damasco dispensatoris Abrahae filio. Haec antea in omni Syria tenuit principatum; necdum enim florebant ibi Antiochia, Laudicia et Apamia, quas urbes post Alexandrum constructas esse cognoscimus. Hic est Damascus quem Abraham futurum sibi heredem dixerat, antequam esset illi promissus Isaac.

[15] Damascus of Syria, founded and named after Damascus, the son of Abraham’s dispenser. This city formerly held the principate in all Syria; for as yet there were not flourishing there Antioch, Laudicia, and Apamia, which cities we know to have been constructed after Alexander. This is the Damascus whom Abraham had said would be his heir-to-be, before Isaac had been promised to him.

[16] Gazam oppidum Palaestinae condiderunt Evei, in qua habitaverunt Cappadoces pristinis cultoribus interfectis. Vocata autem Gaza eo quod ibi Cambyses rex Persarum thensauros suos posuit, cum bellum Aegyptiis intulisset; Persarum enim lingua thesaurum'gaza' nominatur.

[16] Gaza, a town of Palestine, was founded by the Hivites, and in it the Cappadocians lived after the former inhabitants had been slain. Moreover, it was called Gaza because there Cambyses, king of the Persians, placed his treasures when he brought war upon the Egyptians; for in the Persian language treasure is called 'gaza'.

[17] Philistim urbem condiderunt Allophyli; ipsa est Ascalon, de qua superius memoravimus, nuncupata ex nomine Cesloim, qui fuit nepos Cham et filius Mesraim.

[17] The Allophyls founded the city Philistim; this is Ascalon, of which we have made mention above, appellated from the name of Cesloim, who was the grandson of Ham and the son of Mesraim.

[18] Dor urbs fuit quondam potentissima; et versa vice Stratonis turris, postea ab Herode, rege Iudaeae, in honorem Caesaris Augusti Caesarea nuncupata. In qua Corneli domum Christi vidit Ecclesia, et Philippi aediculas, et cubiculum quattuor virginum prophetarum.

[18] Dor was once a most potent city; and, in turn, Strato’s Tower, afterwards by Herod, king of Judea, in honor of Caesar Augustus, named Caesarea. In it the Church of Christ saw the house of Cornelius, and the little shrines of Philip, and the chamber of the four virgin prophetesses.

[19] Ioppe oppidum Palaestinae maritimum idem Palaestini aedificaverunt; ubi saxum ostenditur quod vinculorum Andromedae vestigia adhuc retinet; cuius beluae forma eminentior elephantis fuit.

[19] Joppa, a maritime town of Palestine, the Palestinians themselves built; where a rock is shown which still retains the traces of Andromeda’s chains; whose beast’s form was loftier than elephants.

[20] Iericho a Iebusaeis condita traditur, a quibus et nomen traxisse perhibetur. Hanc subvertit Iesus. Post quam instruxit aliam, Ozam de Bethel ex tribu Ephraim.

[20] Jericho is handed down as having been founded by the Jebusites, from whom it is also said to have drawn its name. Joshua overthrew this city. After which Ozam of Bethel, from the tribe of Ephraim, built another.

Sed et haec eo tempore quo Hierusalem obpugnabatur a Romanis, propter perfidiam civium capta atque destructa est; propter quam tertia aedificata est urbs, quae hodieque permanet.

But this too, at that time when Jerusalem was besieged by the Romans, on account of the perfidy of the citizens was captured and destroyed; on account of which a third city was built, which even today remains.

[21] Sichem Samariae urbem, quae Latine et Graece Sichima vocatur, aedificavit Emor, appellavitque eam nomine Sichem filii sui. Ipsa est nunc Neapolis, civitas Samaritanorum.

[21] Sichem, a city of Samaria, which in Latin and in Greek is called Sichima, Emor built, and he named it by the name of his son Sichem. It is now Neapolis, a city of the Samaritans.

[22] Bethel urbem Samariae condiderunt Iebusaei, quae prius vocabatur Luza; sed postquam dormiens ibi Iacob vidit scalam innitentem caelo et dixit (Genes. 28,17), 'Vere hic domus Dei est et porta caeli,' hac ex causa nomen locus accepit Bethel, id est domus Dei. Quando autem ibi Ieroboam vituli aurei fabricati sunt, vocata est Bethaven, id est domus idoli, quae antea vocabatur domus Dei.

[22] Bethel, a city of Samaria, was founded by the Jebusites, which previously was called Luza; but after Jacob, sleeping there, saw a ladder leaning upon heaven and said (Genesis 28,17), 'Truly here is the house of God and the gate of heaven,' for this cause the place received the name Bethel, that is, house of God. But when there the golden calves were fabricated by Jeroboam, it was called Bethaven, that is, house of an idol, which before was called the house of God.

[23] Bethleem Iuda, civitas David, quae mundi genuit salvatorem, a Iebusaeis condita fertur et vocata primum E[u]phrata. Quando autem ibi Iacob pecora sua pavit, eidem loco Bethleem nomen quodam vaticinio futuri inposuit, quod domus panis interpretatur, propter eum panem qui ibi de caelo descendit.

[23] Bethlehem of Judah, the city of David, which bore the savior of the world, is said to have been founded by the Jebusites and was at first called Ephratha. But when Jacob grazed his flocks there, he imposed upon the same place the name Bethlehem by a certain vaticination of the future, which is interpreted 'house of bread,' on account of that bread which there descended from heaven.

[24] Chebron civitas Iudaeae, quae quondam vocabatur Arbe, condita est a gigantibus ante septem annos quam ab eis Tanis urbs Aegypti conderetur. Ipsa est Arbe a numero ita vocata, quod ibi tres patriarchae sepulti sunt et quartus Adam. Ipsa est et Mambre vocata ex uno amico Abrahae.

[24] Chebron, a city of Judea, which formerly was called Arbe, was founded by giants seven years before the city Tanis of Egypt was founded by them. It is called Arbe from the number, because there three patriarchs are buried, and a fourth, Adam. It is also called Mambre, from one friend of Abraham.

[25] Samariam, a qua omnis regio quae circa eam fuit nomen accepit, Sennacherib rex Assyriorum construxit vocavitque Samariam, id est custodiam, quia, quando Israel transtulit in Medos, ibi custodes constituit. Hanc obsidione captam Antiochus solo coaequavit. Quam postea Herodes a fundamentis instaurans in honorem Augusti Augustam, id est Sebastiam Graeco sermone, vocavit.

[25] Samaria, from which the whole region that was around it took its name, Sennacherib, king of the Assyrians, built and called Samaria, that is “custody,” because, when he transferred Israel to the Medes, he established guards there. This city, taken by siege, Antiochus leveled to the ground. Which afterwards Herod, restoring from the foundations in honor of Augustus, called Augusta, that is Sebaste in the Greek tongue.

Ibi siti sunt Heliseus et Abdias Prophetae, et, quo maior inter natos mulierum non fuit, Baptista Iohannes.

There are buried there Elisha and Obadiah the Prophets, and John the Baptist, than whom no greater among those born of women has been.

[26] Tiberiadem vero Herodes alius in Iudaea in nomine Tiberii Caesaris condidit.

[26] Tiberias, indeed, another Herod founded in Judea in the name of Tiberius Caesar.

[27] Tyrus urbs Phoenicum condita a Phoenicibus fuit. Haec est civitas ex qua aurum regi Salomoni deferebatur; in qua optima purpura tinguitur: unde et Tyria dicitur nobilis purpura.

[27] Tyre, city of the Phoenicians, was founded by the Phoenicians. This is the city from which gold used to be brought to King Solomon; in which the best purple is dyed: whence the noble purple is also called Tyrian.

[28] Phoenices a Rubro profecti mare Sidonem urbem opulentissimam condiderunt, quam a piscium copia Sidon appellaverunt. Nam piscem Phoenices 'sidon' vocant. Ipsi etiam Tyrum in Syria, ipsi Vticam in Africa, Hipponem, Leptim aliasque urbes in ora maritima condiderunt.

[28] The Phoenicians, having set out from the Red Sea, founded the most opulent city Sidon, which they called Sidon from the abundance of fish; for the Phoenicians call a fish “sidon.” They themselves also founded Tyre in Syria, they themselves Utica in Africa, Hippo, Leptis, and other cities on the sea-coast.

[29] Ipsi Thebas in Boeotia duce Cadmo; ipsi postremo in ultima orbis tendentes urbem in Oceano construxerunt, eamque lingua sua Gades nominaverunt. Nam mos erat antiquus Phoenicum gentis multis simul mercandi causa a domo proficisci, et cum incolarum animos conmercio rerum his ante incognitarum sibi conciliassent, loca quae condendis urbibus idonea videbantur capere.

[29] They themselves founded Thebes in Boeotia with Cadmus as leader; they themselves at last, tending toward the farthest ends of the world, constructed a city in the Ocean, and named it Gades in their own tongue. For it was an ancient custom of the Phoenician nation to set out from home, many at once, for the sake of commerce, and when they had won over the minds of the inhabitants by the commerce of things previously unknown to them, to seize places which seemed suitable for founding cities.

[30] Ex his profecta et Dido in litus Africae urbem condidit, et Carthadam nominavit; quod Phoenica lingua exprimit civitatem novam; mox sermone verso Carthago est dicta: hanc Scipio delevit. Quae autem nunc est, postea a Romanis condita est. Carthago autem antea Byrsa, post Tyrus dicta est, deinde Carthago.

[30] Of these, Dido too, having set out, founded a city on the shore of Africa, and named it Carthada; which in the Phoenician language expresses “new city”; soon, with the speech altered, it was called Carthage: this Scipio destroyed. The one, however, which now exists was afterward founded by the Romans. Carthage moreover was previously called Byrsa, afterward Tyrus, then Carthage.

[31] Memphin civitatem Aegypti aedificavit Epaphus Iovis filius, cum in secunda Aegypto regnaret. Haec est urbs ubi charta nascitur, ubi etiam optimi mathematici fuerunt. Nam hanc urbem magicis artibus deditam pristini usque ad praesens tempus vestigia erroris ostendunt.

[31] Memphis, a city of Egypt, was built by Epaphus, son of Jupiter, when he was reigning in the Second Egypt. This is the city where paper is born, where also the best mathematicians were. For the traces of former error, even to the present time, show this city as devoted to magical arts.

[32] Tanis metropolis Aegypti, ubi Pharao fuit, et Moyses cuncta signa fecit quae in Exodo scribuntur. Hanc construxisse perhibentur Titanes, id est gigantes, et ex nomine suo nuncupaverunt.

[32] Tanis, metropolis of Egypt, where Pharaoh was, and Moses did all the signs which are written in Exodus. It is related that the Titans, that is, giants, constructed this, and they named it after their own name.

[33] Heliopolis urbs Aegypti, quae Latine interpretatur solis civitas, sicut septuaginta interpretes arbitrantur. Aedificata est autem a filiis Israel, in qua Petephres sacerdos fuit, cuius meminit Ezechiel.

[33] Heliopolis, a city of Egypt, which is interpreted in Latin as the city of the sun, as the seventy interpreters judge. Moreover, it was built by the sons of Israel, in which Petephres was priest, whom Ezekiel mentions.

[34] Vrbem Alexandriam condidit Alexander Magnus, cuius et nomen detinet. Hanc enim [idem] in terminis Africae et Aegypti constituit, et caput esse regionis Aegypti iussit. Interiacet autem inter Aegyptum et mare, quasi claustrum, inportuosa.

[34] Alexander the Great founded the city Alexandria, which also retains his name. For this [same man] established it on the borders of Africa and Egypt, and ordered it to be the head of the region of Egypt. Moreover, it lies between Egypt and the sea, like a barrier, devoid of harbors.

Haec est urbs Aegypti Noo, postea versa in Alexandriam.

This is the city of Egypt No, afterwards converted into Alexandria.

[35] Thebas Aegyptias condidit Cadmus, quae inter Aegyptias urbes numero portarum nobiliores habentur, ad quas conmercia Arabes undique subvehunt. Hinc regio Aegypti Thebaica dicta est. Thebae autem et Boeotiae sunt et Aegyptiae, uno tamen auctore conditae.

[35] Cadmus founded the Egyptian Thebes, which among the Egyptian cities are held more notable for the number of their gates, to which the Arabs from every side import merchandise. Hence the region of Egypt is called Thebaic. There are Thebes both in Boeotia and in Egypt, yet founded by one and the same author.

[36] Ptolomais et Berenice a regibus Aegyptiis nominatae, a quibus et aedificatae fuerunt.

[36] Ptolemais and Berenice were named by Egyptian kings, by whom also they were built.

[37] Caesarea Cappadociae Š

[37] Caesarea of Cappadocia Š

[38] Tarsum Ciliciae Danaes proles Perseus aedificavit. De qua civitate fuit Paulus Apostolus (Act. Apost.

[38] Tarsus of Cilicia was built by Perseus, the offspring of Danaë. From which city was the Apostle Paul (Acts of the Apostles.

22,3): 'Natus' inquit, 'Tarso Ciliciae.' Quidam etiam locus Indiae Tarsus vocatur. Seleuciam Isauriae condidit Seleucus, qui et Antiochiam. Ilus autem Apollonis filius in Phrygia Ilium condidit.

22,3): 'Born,' he says, 'in Tarsus of Cilicia.' A certain place in India is also called Tarsus. Seleucus founded Seleucia of Isauria, and Antioch as well. But Ilus, the son of Apollo, founded Ilium in Phrygia.

[39] Amazones Ephesum in Asia construxerunt. Theseus vero Smyrnam construxit, quae Homero poetae patria extitit; et vocata Smyrna quod eius campos Ermus fluvius secat.

[39] The Amazons built Ephesus in Asia. Theseus, indeed, built Smyrna, which was the homeland of the poet Homer; and it was called Smyrna because the river Hermus cuts through its fields.

[40] Dioscoriam Colchorum urbem Amphitus et Cercius aurigae Castoris et Pollucis fabricaverunt, ex eorum nomine eam cognominantes; nam Castor et Pollux Graece DIOSKOUROI appellantur.

[40] Amphitus and Cercius, the charioteers of Castor and Pollux, built Dioscuria, a city of the Colchians, surnaming it from their name; for Castor and Pollux in Greek are called DIOSKOUROI.

[41] Nicomedia a Nicomedo rege Bithyniae aedificata est. Bithynia condita a Phoenice, quae primum Mariandyna vocabatur.

[41] Nicomedia was built by Nicomedes, king of Bithynia. Bithynia was founded by Phoenice, which at first was called Mariandyna.

[42] Constantinopolim urbem Thraciae Constantinus ex nomine suo instituit, solam Romae meritis et potentia adaequatam. Hanc conditam primum a Pausania rege Spartanorum, et vocatam Byzantium, vel quod tantum patet inter Adriaticum mare et Propontidem, vel quod sit receptaculum terrae marisque copiis. Vnde et eam Constantinus aptissimam condere iudicavit, ut et receptaculum sibi terra marique fieret.

[42] Constantine established the Thracian city Constantinople from his own name, alone equal to Rome in merits and potency. This was first founded by Pausanias, king of the Spartans, and called Byzantium, either because it extends so widely between the Adriatic Sea and the Propontis, or because it is a receptacle for the resources of land and sea. Whence also Constantine judged it most apt to found there, so that it might also become for him a receptacle by land and sea.

Vnde et nunc Romani imperii sedes et totius caput est orientis, sicut et Roma occidentis.

Whence also even now it is the seat of the Roman Empire and the capital of the whole East, just as Rome is of the West.

[43] Epirum civitas Thraciae condita est a Pyrrho et cognominata.

[43] Epirus, a city of Thrace, was founded by Pyrrhus and cognominated.

[44] Athenas in Hellade Cecrops condidit, et ex suo nomine Cecropiam nominavit. Hanc Amphictyon, idem qui in Graecia tertius post Cecropem regnavit, Minervae sacravit et nomen civitati Athenas dedit; nam Minerva Graece ATHENE dicitur. Vnde et Minervam Graeci inventricem multarum artium asserunt, quia et litterae et artes diversorum studiorum et ipsa philosophia veluti templum Athenas habuerunt.

[44] Athens in Hellas Cecrops founded, and from his own name he named it Cecropia. This city Amphictyon, the same who in Greece reigned third after Cecrops, consecrated to Minerva and gave to the city the name Athens; for Minerva in Greek is called ATHENE. Whence also the Greeks assert Minerva to be the inventress of many arts, because both letters and the arts of diverse studies, and philosophy itself, had Athens as, as it were, a temple.

[45] Corinthum in Achaia condidit Corinthus Orestis filius. Hanc Graeci Corintheam vocant, hoc est administrationem reipublicas.

[45] Corinth in Achaia was founded by Corinthus, son of Orestes. This the Greeks call Corinthean, that is, the administration of the republic.

[46] Thebas Boeotiae Cadmus veniens a Phoenicibus condidit, Thebis Aegyptiis prius ab eo constructis.

[46] Cadmus, coming from the Phoenicians, founded Thebes of Boeotia, the Egyptian Thebes having first been constructed by him.

[47] Mycenas [civitatem Graeciae]. Lacedaemonia condita a Lacedaemone Semelae filio. Sparta ab Sparto filio Phoronei vocata, qui fuit filius Inachi. Ipsam autem esse Spartam quam et Lacedaemoniam civitatem, atque inde Lacedaemonios Spartanos dici.

[47] Mycenae [a city of Greece]. Lacedaemonia was founded by Lacedaemon, the son of Semele. Sparta was called from Spartus, the son of Phoroneus, who was the son of Inachus. But Sparta itself is the same as the Lacedaemonian city, and from there the Lacedaemonians are called Spartans.

[48] Achaia ab Achaeo constructa: Pelops, qui apud Argos regnavit, Peloponnensem urbem condidit: Cecrops in insula Rhodo Rhodum aedificavit: Carpathus Coum: Aeos Typhonis filius Paphum: Angeus Lycurgi filius Samum: Dardanus autem condidit Dardaniam: Thessalonicam Thessalus Graeci filius aedificavit, in qua etiam et regnavit.

[48] Achaia constructed by Achaeus: Pelops, who reigned at Argos, founded the Peloponnesian city: Cecrops on the island Rhodes built Rhodes: Carpathus built Cos: Aeos, son of Typhon, Paphos: Angeus, son of Lycurgus, Samos: Dardanus moreover founded Dardania: Thessalus, son of Graecus, built Thessalonica, in which he also reigned.

[49] Brundisium construxerunt Graeci: Brundisium autem dictum [est] Graece quod brunda caput cervi dicatur: sic est enim ut et cornua videantur et caput et lingua in positione ipsius civitatis.

[49] The Greeks constructed Brundisium: Brundisium, however, is so called in Greek because brunda is said to mean “the head of a stag”: for thus it is, that both the horns and the head and the tongue are seen in the position of the city itself.

[50] In Italia autem a Iano Ianiculum, a Saturno Saturnia atque Latium conditum, eo quod ibi fugiens latuisset cognominatum.

[50] In Italy, moreover, the Janiculum by Janus, Saturnia by Saturn, and Latium were founded, cognominated from the fact that, fleeing, he had lain hidden there.

[51] Ab Hercule in Campania Pompeia, qui victor ex Hispania pompam boum duxerat.

[51] By Hercules in Campania, Pompeii [was founded], who, as a victor from Hispania, had led a pomp (procession) of oxen.

[52] Aeneas autem post excidium Troiae in eadem Italia veniens, ab uxoris nomine Lavinium condidit.

[52] Aeneas, however, after the destruction of Troy, coming into that same Italy, founded Lavinium from his wife's name.

[53] Ascanius vero relicto Laviniae novercae suae regno, Albam Longam aedificavit. Alba autem vocata propter colorem suis; Longa, quia longum oppidum est, iuxta prolixitatem collis in quo sita est. Ex hac etiam urbe reges Albanorum appellari coeperunt.

[53] Ascanius, for his part, leaving the kingdom to his stepmother Lavinia, built Alba Longa. Alba, moreover, was so called on account of the color of the sow; Longa, because it is a long town, in keeping with the length of the hill on which it is situated. From this city too the kings began to be called “of the Albans.”

[54] Capuam Capys Silvius rex Albanorum construxit, appellatam a nomine conditoris; licet sint qui dicant a capacitate eam Capuam dictam, quod eius terra omnem vitae fructum capiat: alii a locis campestribus in quibus sita est. Est autem caput urbium Campaniae, inter tres maximas Romam Carthaginemque numerata; ex qua et provincia Italiae Campania dicta est.

[54] Capua was constructed by Capys Silvius, king of the Albans, and was appellated from the name of its founder; though there are those who say that from capacity it was called Capua, because its land can take in every fruit of life; others from the champaign places in which it is situated. Moreover, it is the head of the cities of Campania, counted among the three greatest with Rome and Carthage; from which also the province of Italy was called Campania.

[55] Romulus cum interfecto apud Albam Amulio avum Numitorem in regnum restituisset, in eum locum ubi nunc Roma est devenit, ibique sedes posuit, moenia construxit, urbemque ex nomine suo Romam vocavit. Hanc autem antea Evander dicitur condidisse, ut est illud (Virg. Aen. 8,313):

[55] When Romulus, Amulius having been slain at Alba, had restituted his grandfather Numitor to the kingdom, he came to that place where now Rome is, and there he set his seat, constructed the walls, and called the city Rome from his own name. This, however, is said aforetime to have been founded by Evander, as is that line (Virg. Aen. 8,313):

Tunc pater Evandrus Romanae conditor arcis.

Then father Evander, founder of the Roman citadel.

[56] Ancus Marcius ex filia Numae Pompilii natus: hic urbem in exitu Tiberis condidit quae et peregrinas merces exciperet et hostem moraretur, quam ab ipso situ Ostiam appellavit.

[56] Ancus Marcius, born from the daughter of Numa Pompilius: he founded a city at the outlet of the Tiber which both would receive foreign merchandise and delay the enemy, which from its very site he called Ostia.

[57] Galli quidam intestina discordia et assiduis dissensionibus suorum permoti, sedes novas quaerentes Italiam profecti sunt, sedibusque propriis Tuscis expulsis, Mediolanum atque alias urbes condiderunt. Vocatum autem Mediolanum ab eo quod ibi sus medio lanea perhibetur inventa.

[57] Certain Gauls, moved by internal discord and by the assiduous dissensions of their own people, seeking new settlements, set out for Italy; and, with the Tuscans expelled from their own seats, they founded Mediolanum and other cities. Moreover, it was called Mediolanum from the fact that there a sow, woolly in the middle, is said to have been found.

[58] Historiis placet a Messapo Graeco Messapiae datam originem, versam postmodum in nomen Calabriae, quam in exordio Oenotri frater Peucetius Peucetiam nominaverat.

[58] The histories are agreed that Messapia received its origin from the Greek Messapus, later turned into the name of Calabria, which at the beginning Peucetius, brother of Oenotrus, had named Peucetia.

[59] Manto Tiresiae filia post interitum Thebanorum dicitur delata in Italiam Mantuam condidisse: est autem in Venetia, quae Gallia Cisalpina dicitur: et dicta Mantua quod manes tuetur.

[59] Manto, daughter of Tiresias, after the downfall of the Thebans is said, having been borne to Italy, to have founded Mantua: moreover it is in Venetia, which is called Cisalpine Gaul: and it is called Mantua because it protects the Manes.

[60] Parthenopea Parthenope quadam virgine illic sepulta Parthenope appellata; quod oppidum postea Augustus Neapolim esse maluit.

[60] Parthenopea, appellated Parthenope from a certain maiden Parthenope buried there; which town afterward Augustus preferred to be Naples.

[61] Ad promuntorium Leucaten, in quo Actii Apollinis templum fuit, bellum Augustus contra Antonium gessit. Quo victo, urbem in Actiaco sinu condidit, quam a victoria Nicopolim appellavit.

[61] At the promontory Leucate, in which there was a temple of Actian Apollo, Augustus waged war against Antony. Antony having been conquered, he founded a city in the Actian gulf, which from the victory he called Nicopolis.

[62] Phalantus Partheniorum dux Parthenios constituit. Taras Neptuni filius fuit, a quo Tarentum civitas et condita et appellata est.

[62] Phalantus, leader of the Parthenii, constituted the Parthenii. Taras was the son of Neptune, from whom the city Tarentum was both founded and appellated.

[63] Cum Cyrus maritimas urbes Graeciae occuparet, et Phocaeenses ab eo expugnati omnibus angustiis premerentur, iuraverunt ut profugerent quam longissime ab imperio Persarum, ubi ne nomen quidem eorum audirent; atque ita in ultimos Galliae sinus navibus profecti, armisque se adversus Gallicam feritatem tuentes, Massiliam condiderunt et ex nomine ducis nuncupaverunt. Hos Varro trilingues esse ait, quod et Graece loquantur et Latine et Gallice.

[63] When Cyrus was occupying the maritime cities of Greece, and the Phocaeans, having been stormed by him, were pressed by every strait, they swore to flee as far as possible from the dominion of the Persians, to a place where they would not hear even their name; and so, having set out by ships into the furthest inlets of Gaul, and defending themselves with arms against Gallic ferocity, they founded Massilia and denominated it from their leader’s name. Varro says these men are trilingual, because they speak both Greek and Latin and Gallic.

[64] Narbonam et Arelatum et Pictavis coloni proprii condiderunt. Burdigalim appellatam ferunt quod Burgos Gallos primum colonos habuerit, quibus antea cultoribus adimpleta est.

[64] Narbonne and Arles and Poitiers were founded by their own colonists. They say Bordeaux was so named because it had as its first colonists the Burgundian Gauls, by whose cultivators it had previously been filled.

[65] Terraconam in Hispania Scipiones construxerunt; ideo caput est Terraconensis provinciae.

[65] The Scipios constructed Terracona in Spain; therefore it is the capital of the Terraconensian province.

[66] [Caesaraugusta Terraconensis Hispaniae oppidum a Caesare Augusto et situm et nominatum, loci amoenitate et deliciis praestantius civitatibus Hispaniae cunctis atque inlustrius, florens sanctorum martyrum sepulturis.]

[66] [Caesaraugusta, a town of Tarraconensian Spain, both sited and named by Caesar Augustus, by the amenity of its place and its delights more preeminent than all the cities of Spain and more illustrious, flourishing with the sepulchers of holy martyrs.]

[67] Afri sub Hannibale maritima Hispaniae occupantes, Carthaginem Spartariam construxerunt, quae mox a Romanis capta et colonia facta, nomen etiam provinciae dedit. Nunc autem a Gothis subversa atque in desolationem redacta est.

[67] The Africans under Hannibal, occupying the maritime Spain, built Carthage Spartaria, which soon, captured by the Romans and made a colony, even gave its name to the province. Now, however, it has been overthrown by the Goths and reduced into desolation.

[68] Saguntum Graeci ex insula Zacyntho profecti in Hispania condiderunt; quam Afri postea bello inpetitam deleverunt.

[68] The Greeks, setting out from the island of Zacynthus, founded Saguntum in Spain; which the Africans afterwards, assailed in war, destroyed.

[69] Emeritam Caesar Augustus aedificavit, postquam Lusitaniam et quasdam Oceani insulas cepit, dans ei nomen ab eo quod ibi milites veteranos constituisset. Nam emeriti dicuntur veterani solutique militiae.

[69] Caesar Augustus built Emerita, after he seized Lusitania and certain islands of the Ocean, giving it a name from the fact that he had stationed veteran soldiers there. For “emeriti” are called veterans discharged from military service.

[70] Olisipona ab Vlixe est condita et nuncupata; quo loco, sicut historiographi dicunt, caelum a terra et maria distinguuntur a terris.

[70] Olisipona was founded and named by Ulysses; in which place, as historiographers say, the sky is separated from the earth and the seas are distinguished from the lands.

[71] Hispalim Caesar Iulius condidit, quam ex suo et Romae urbis vocabulo Iuliam Romulam nuncupavit. Hispalis autem a situ cognominata est, eo quod in solo palustri suffixis in profundo palis locata sit, ne lubrico atque instabili fundamento cederet.

[71] Julius Caesar founded Hispalis, which he denominated Julia Romula from his own name and from the name of the city of Rome. But Hispalis has been surnamed from its site, because it is situated on marshy soil, with piles fastened deep, lest it give way on a slippery and unstable foundation.

[72] Gades oppidum a Poenis conditum, qui etiam et Carthaginem Spartariam condiderunt.

[72] Gades, a town founded by the Phoenicians, who likewise founded Carthage Spartaria.

[73] Septe oppidum a montibus septem, qui a similitudine Fratres vocati Gaditano inminent fretu.

[73] Septe, a town from seven mountains, which, by similarity, are called the Brothers, loom over the Gaditan strait.

[74] Tingis civitatis et Lix Antaeus auctor est, quem Hercules fertur luctae certamine superatum interfecisse. Lix autem a Lixo flumine Mauretaniae nuncupata, ubi Antaei regia fuit, et Sala, quod inmineat Salae flumini.

[74] Of the city Tingis and of Lix, Antaeus is the author (founder), whom Hercules is said to have slain, having overcome him in a wrestling contest. Lix, moreover, is named from the river Lix of Mauretania, where the royal residence of Antaeus was; and Sala, because it overhangs the river Sala.

[75] Caesaream Mauretaniae oppidum Iuba rex Maurorum in honorem Caesaris Augusti condidit, quam ex eius nomine Caesaream appellavit; sicut Herodes aliam Caesaream in Palaestina, quae nunc urbs est clarissima.

[75] Juba, king of the Moors, founded the town of Caesarea in Mauretania in honor of Caesar Augustus, which from his name he called Caesarea; just as Herod founded another Caesarea in Palestine, which now is a most renowned city.

[76] Icosium Caesariensis Mauretaniae oppidum, Hercule illuc transeunte, viginti a comitatu eius discindentes construxerunt. Hanc ne quis inposito a se nomine privatim gloriaretur, de condentium numero urbi Icosio nomen datum.

[76] Icosium, a town of Caesarean Mauretania, was built, when Hercules crossed over to that place, by twenty men separating from his retinue. Lest anyone boast privately in a name imposed by himself, from the number of the founders the name Icosium was given to the city.

[77] Cyrene regina fuit Libyae quae ex suo nomine civitatem Cyrenen condidit, ex qua et Libyam Cyrenensem vocavit.

[77] Cyrene was queen of Libya, who from her own name founded the city Cyrene, from which also she called Libya Cyrenaic.

II. DE AEDIFICIIS PVBLICIS.

2. ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

[1] Civitas est hominum multitudo societatis vinculo adunata, dicta a civibus, id est ab ipsis incolis urbis [pro eo quod plurimorum consciscat et contineat vitas]. Nam urbs ipsa moenia sunt, civitas autem non saxa, sed habitatores vocantur.

[1] A civic community is a multitude of humans conjoined by the bond of society, so called from the citizens, that is, from the very inhabitants of the city [because it enacts and contains the lives of many]. For the city (urbs) itself is the walls, whereas the civic community (civitas) is called not the stones, but the inhabitants.

[2] Tres autem sunt societates: familiarum, urbium, gentium.

[2] Moreover, there are three societies: of families, of cities, of nations.

[3] Vrbs vocata ab orbe, quod antiquae civitates in orbe fiebant; vel ab urbo parte aratri, quo muri designabantur; unde est illud (Virg. Aen. 3,109; 1,425):

[3] The urbs is called from orb, because ancient cities were made in an orb; or from the urbum, a part of the plough, by which the walls were designated; whence is that (Virgil, Aeneid 3,109; 1,425):

Optavitque locum regno et concludere sulco.

He opted for a place for a kingdom and to enclose it with a furrow.

Locus enim futurae civitatis sulco designabatur, id est aratro. Cato (Orig. 1,18); 'Qui urbem,' inquit 'novam condit, tauro et vacca arat; ubi araverit, murum facit; ubi portam vult esse, aratrum substollit et portat, et portam vocat.'

For the place of the future city was designated by a furrow, that is, by a plow. Cato (Orig. 1,18); ‘“He who,” he says, “founds a new city, plows with a bull and a cow; where he has plowed, he makes the wall; where he wants the gate to be, he lifts up the plow and carries it, and he calls it a gate.”’

[4] Ideo autem urbs aratro circumdabatur, dispari sexu iuvencorum, propter commixtionem familiarum, et imaginem serentis fructumque reddentis, Vrbs autem aratro conditur, aratro vertitur. Vnde Horatius (C. 1,16,20):

[4] Therefore the city was encircled with a plow, by young cattle of unlike sex, on account of the commixture of families, and as an image of one sowing and rendering fruit; but the City is founded by the plow, it is turned by the plow. Whence Horace (Odes 1,16,20):

Inprimeretque muris
hostile aratrum.

and might press into the walls
the hostile plow.

[5] Oppidum quidam ab oppositione murorum dixerunt; alii ab opibus recondendis, eo quod sit munitum; alii quod sibi in eo conventus habitantium opem det mutuam contra hostem. Nam primum homines tamquam nudi et inermes nec contra beluas praesidia habebant, nec receptacula frigoris et caloris, nec ipsi inter se homines ab hominibus satis erant tuti.

[5] Some have said “town” from the opposition of walls; others from resources being stored away, because it is fortified; others because in it the gathering of the inhabitants gives mutual aid to itself against the enemy. For at the beginning men, as if naked and unarmed, had neither presidiary defenses against wild beasts, nor receptacles against cold and heat, nor were men themselves sufficiently safe among themselves from other men.

[6] Tandem naturali sollertia speluncis silvestribusque tegumentis tuguria sibi et casas virgultis arundinibusque contexerunt, quo esset vita tutior, ne his, qui nocere possent, aditus esset. Haec est origo oppidorum, quae quod opem darent, idcirco oppida nominata dixerunt. Oppidum autem magnitudine et moenibus discrepare a vico et castello et pago.

[6] At last, by natural ingenuity, they wove for themselves huts and cottages in caves and with sylvan coverings, from brushwood and reeds, so that life might be safer, and so that there would be no access for those who could harm. This is the origin of towns, which, because they gave aid (opem), they said were therefore named oppida. Moreover, an oppidum differs by size and by its walls from a vicus (village), a castellum (fort), and a pagus (country-district).

[7] Civitates autem aut coloniae, aut municipia, aut vici, aut castella, aut pagi appellantur.

[7] Cities, moreover, are called either colonies, or municipalities, or vici, or forts, or districts (pagi).

[8] Civitas proprie dicitur, quam non advenae, sed eodem innati solo condiderunt. Ideoque urbes a propriis civibus conditae civitates, non coloniae nuncupantur.

[8] A civitas is properly called that which was founded not by newcomers, but by those born on the same soil. And therefore cities founded by their own citizens are named civitates, not colonies.

[9] Colonia vero est quae defectu indigenarum novis cultoribus adimpletur. Vnde et colonia a cultu agri est dicta.

[9] A colony, indeed, is that which, because of a defect of the indigenous, is filled up with new cultivators. Whence also “colony” is said from the cultivation of the field.

[10] Municipium est quo manente statu civitatis ius aliquod minoris aut maioris officii a principe inpetrat. Dictum autem municipium a muniis, id est officiis, quod tantum munia, id est tributa debita vel munera, reddant. Nam liberales et famosissimae causae, et quae ex principe proficiscuntur, ibi non aguntur.

[10] A municipium is that which, with the status of the civitas remaining, obtains from the princeps some right of a lesser or greater office. It is called municipium from munia, that is, duties/offices, because they render only the munia, that is, the due tributes or services. For liberal causes and the most notorious cases, and those which proceed from the princeps, are not conducted there.

Haec enim ad dignitatem civitatum pertinent.

For these pertain to the dignity of the cities.

[11] Vici et castella et pagi hi sunt qui nulla dignitate civitatis ornantur, sed vulgari hominum conventu incoluntur, et propter parvitatem sui maioribus civitatibus adtribuuntur.

[11] Vici and castella and pagi are those which are not adorned with any dignity of a civitas, but are inhabited by the common gathering of men, and, on account of their smallness, are assigned to greater civitates.

[12] Vicus autem dictus ab ipsis tantum habitationibus, vel quod vias habeat tantum sine muris. Est autem sine munitione murorum; licet et vici dicantur ipsae habitationes urbis. Dictus autem vicus eo quod sit vice civitatis, vel quod vias habeat tantum sine muris.

[12] A vicus is said to be so from the habitations themselves only, or because it has only streets without walls. Moreover, it is without the fortification of walls; although the very habitations of a city may also be called vici. Moreover, a vicus is so called because it is in the stead (vice) of a city, or because it has only streets without walls.

[13] Castrum antiqui dicebant oppidum loco altissimo situm, quasi casam altam; cuius pluralis numerus castra, diminutivum castellum est [sive quod castrabatur licentia inibi habitantium, ne passim vaga hosti pateret].

[13] The ancients used to call a castrum a town set in a very high place, as if a high cottage; its plural number is castra, its diminutive is castellum [or because the license of those dwelling there was castrated/curtailed, lest, wandering everywhere, it lie open to the enemy].

[14] Pagi sunt apta aedificiis loca inter agros habitantibus. Haec et conciliabula dicta, a conventu et societate multorum in unum.

[14] Pagi are places apt for buildings for those dwelling among the fields. These too are called conciliabula, from the convention and society of many into one.

[15] Conpita sunt ubi usus est conventus fieri rusticorum; et dicta conpita quod loca multa in agris eodem conpetant; et quo convenitur a rusticis.

[15] Crossroads are where it is customary for a convocation of rustics to be held; and they are called compita because many places in the fields converge to the same point; and it is thither that the rustics convene.

[16] Suburbana sunt circumiecta civitatis aedificia, quasi sub urbe.

[16] The suburban district consists of the buildings surrounding the city, as if under the city.

[17] Moenia sunt muri civitatis, dicta ab eo quod muniant civitatem, quasi munimenta urbis, id est tutamenta.

[17] The moenia are the walls of a city, so called from the fact that they fortify the city, as if the muniments of the city, that is, safeguards.

[18] Munium autem dictum, quasi manu factum: sic et munus. Muri a munitione dicti, quasi muniri, eo quod muniant et tueantur interiora urbis. Moenia autem duplicem habent significationem; nam interdum moenia abusive dici omnia aedificia publica civitatis, ut (Virg.

[18] But “munium” is said, as if “made by hand”: so too “munus.” Walls (muri) are said from “munition,” as if “to be fortified,” because they fortify and protect the interior parts of the city. “Moenia,” however, have a double signification; for sometimes “moenia” are abusively said for all the public buildings of a city, as (Virg.

Aen. 2,234):

Aeneid 2,234):

Dividimus muros, et moenia pandimus urbis;

We cleave the walls, and we open wide the city's ramparts;

proprie autem moenia sunt tantum muri.

Strictly speaking, however, moenia are only walls.

[19] Murus autem turribus propugnaculisque ornatur. Turres vocatae quod teretes sint et longae; teres est enim aliquid rotundum cum proceritate, ut columna. Nam et quamvis quadratae aut latae construantur, procul tamen videntibus rotundae existimantur; ideo quia omne cuiusque anguli simulacrum per longum aeris spatium evanescit atque consumitur, et rotundum videtur.

[19] The wall, moreover, is ornamented with towers and battlements. Towers are so called because they are terete and long; for terete is something round with elongation, like a column. For even though they may be built square or broad, yet to viewers from afar they are considered round; for this reason, because every semblance of each angle, over the long expanse of the air, vanishes and is consumed, and it appears round.

[20] Propugnacula pinnae murorum sunt, dicta quia ex his propugnatur.

[20] The battlements are the merlons of the walls, so called because from them fighting in defense is carried on.

[21] Promurale vero, eo quod sit pro munitione muri. Est enim murus proximus ante murum.

[21] The promural, indeed, so called because it is before the fortification of the wall. For it is the wall nearest in front of the wall.

[22] Porta dicitur qua potest vel inportari vel exportari aliquid. Proprie autem porta aut urbis aut castrorum vocatur, sicut superius dictum est. Vicus, ut praedictum est, ipsae habitationes urbis sunt; unde et vicini dicti.

[22] A gate is so called through which something can be either imported or exported. Properly, however, “gate” is applied either to a city or to a camp, as was said above. A vicus, as aforesaid, means the dwellings themselves of the city; whence also neighbors are so called.

Viae ipsa spatia angusta quae inter vicos sunt.

Streets are the narrow spaces themselves which are between the quarters.

[23] Plateae perpetuae ac latiores civitatum viae sunt, iuxta proprietatem linguae Graecae a latitudine nuncupatae; PLATUS enim Graeci latum dicunt.

[23] Plateae are the continuous and broader ways of cities, so named from breadth according to the propriety of the Greek language; for the Greeks say PLATUS for “broad.”

[24] Quintana pars plateae quinta est, qua carpentum progredi potest. Cloacae dictae quod his percolantur aquae.

[24] The quintana is the fifth part of the broad-street, along which a carriage can advance. The cloacae are so called because waters are percolated through them.

[25] Has primum Romae fecisse Tarquinium Priscum ut, quotiens pluviarum inundatio existeret, per eas aquae extra civitatem emitterentur, ne maximis perpetuisque tempestatibus planitiem vel fundamenta urbium strages aquarum subverteret.

[25] Tarquinius Priscus was the first to make these at Rome, so that, whenever an inundation of rains came to be, the waters might be emitted through them beyond the city, lest, in the greatest and most perpetual tempests, the plain or the foundations of cities be subverted by the havoc of the waters.

[26] Imboli, vel quia subvolumina sunt, vel quia sub his ambulant. Sunt enim portici hinc inde platearum.

[26] Imboli, either because they are under-vaultings, or because people walk under them. For there are porticoes on either side of the streets.

[27] Forus est exercendarum litium locus a fando dictus [sive a Phoroneo rege, qui primus Graecis legem dedit]. Haec loca et prorostra vocantur ideo quod ex bello Punico captis navibus Carthaginiensium rostra ablata sunt, et in foro Romano praefixa ut esset huius insigne victoriae.

[27] The forum is a place for the exercising of litigations, said from speaking (fando) [or from King Phoroneus, who first gave law to the Greeks]. These places are also called the Pro-Rostra for this reason: because from the Punic War, when the ships of the Carthaginians had been captured, the beaks (rostra) were taken off and fixed up in the Roman Forum, so that it might be the badge of this victory.

[28] Curia dicitur eo quod ibi cura per senatum de cunctis administretur.

[28] The Curia is so called because there care for all affairs is administered through the Senate.

[29] Praetorium, quod ibi praetor resideat ad discutiendum.

[29] The Praetorium, because there the praetor sits to examine (cases).

[30] Gymnasium generalis est exercitiorum locus. Tamen apud Athenas locus erat ubi discebatur philosophia et sapientiae exercebatur studium; nam GUMNASION Graece vocatur, quod Latine exercitium dicitur, hoc est meditatio. Sed et balnea et loca cursorum et athletarum gymnasia sunt, eo quod illic homines in suae artis studio exercitentur.

[30] A gymnasium is a general place of exercises. Yet at Athens it was a place where philosophy was learned and the study of wisdom was exercised; for in Greek it is called GUMNASION, which in Latin is called exercitium, that is, meditation. But baths and the places of runners and of athletes are gymnasia as well, because there men are exercised in the study of their own art.

[31] Capitolium Romae vocatum eo quod fuerit Romanae urbis et religionis caput summum. Alii aiunt, cum Tarquinius Priscus Capitolii fundamenta Romae aperiret, in loco fundamenti caput hominis litteris Tuscis notatum invenit, et proinde Capitolium appellavit.

[31] The Capitol at Rome was so called because it had been the supreme head of the Roman city and of religion. Others say that, when Tarquinius Priscus was opening the foundations of the Capitol at Rome, in the place of the foundation he found a man’s head marked with Tuscan (Etruscan) letters, and accordingly he called it the Capitol.

[32] Arces sunt partes urbis excelsae atque munitae. Nam quaecumque tutissima urbium sunt, ab arcendo hostem arces vocantur. Vnde et arcus et arca.

[32] Citadels are the parts of a city that are lofty and fortified. For whatever are the most secure parts of cities are called citadels, from warding off the enemy. Whence also arch and ark.

[33] Circum Romani dictum putant a circuitu equorum, eo quod ibi circum metas equi currant.

[33] They think the Circus is so called by the Romans from the circuit of the horses, because there the horses run around the metae (turning-posts).

[34] Theatrum autem ab spectaculo nominatum, APO TOU THEORIAS,quod in eo populus stans desuper atque spectans ludos scenicos contemplaretur.

[34] The theatre, moreover, is named from spectacle, APO TOU THEORIAS,because in it the people standing from above and looking on would contemplate scenic plays.

[35] Amphitheatrum vero vocatum quod ex duobus sit theatris conpositum. Nam amphitheatrum rotundum est, theatrum vero ex medio amphitheatrum est, semicirculi figuram habens.

[35] The amphitheatre, indeed, is so called because it is composed out of two theatres. For an amphitheatre is round, whereas the theatre, by contrast, is an amphitheatre from the middle—having the figure of a semicircle.

[36] Labyrinthus est perplexis parietibus aedificium, qualis est apud Cretam a Daedalo factus, ubi fuit Minotaurus inclusus; in quo si quis introierit sine glomere lini, exitum invenire non valet. Cuius aedificii talis est situs ut aperientibus fores tonitruum intus terribile audiatur: descenditur centenis ultra gradibus; intus simulacra et monstrificae effigies, in partes diversas transitus innumeri per tenebras, et cetera ad errorem ingredientium facta, ita ut de tenebris eius ad lucem venire inpossibile videatur. Quattuor sunt [autem] labyrinthi; primus Aegyptius, secundus Creticus, tertius in Lemno, quartus in Italia; omnes ita cunstructi ut dissolvere eos nec saecula quidem possint.

[36] A labyrinth is an edifice with perplexed walls, such as the one in Crete made by Daedalus, where the Minotaur was enclosed; into which, if anyone should enter without a ball of linen thread, he is not able to find an exit. The layout of which building is such that, when the doors are opened, a terrible thunder is heard within: one descends by more than a hundred steps; inside, simulacra and monstrous effigies, innumerable passages through the darkness into diverse parts, and other things made for the error of those entering, so that from its darkness to come into the light seems impossible. There are four [however] labyrinths; the first Egyptian, the second Cretan, the third on Lemnos, the fourth in Italy; all constructed in such a way that not even the ages can dissolve them.

[37] Farum turris est maxima quam Graeci ac Latini in commune ex ipsius rei usu farum appellaverunt, eo quod flammarum indicio longe videatur a navigantibus, qualem Ptolomaeus iuxta Alexandriam construxisse octingentis talentis traditur. Vsus eius est nocturno navium cursu ignes ostendere, ad pronuntianda vada portusque introitus, ne decepti tenebris navigantes in scopulos incidant; nam Alexandria fallacibus vadis insidiosos accessus habet. Hinc igitur in portubus machinas ad praelucendi ministerium fabricatas pharos dicunt.

[37] A pharos is a very great tower, which Greeks and Latins in common have called a pharos from the very use of the thing, because by the indication of flames it is seen from afar by those sailing, such as Ptolemy is reported to have constructed near Alexandria at the cost of 800 talents. Its use is to display fires for the nocturnal course of ships, to announce the shoals and the entrances of harbors, lest sailors, deceived by the darkness, run upon rocks; for Alexandria has treacherous approaches with deceptive shoals. Hence therefore in harbors they call pharos the machines fabricated for the ministry of pre-illumination.

Nam FOS lux est, OPOS visio dicitur. Vnde et Lucifer Graece FOSFOROS appellatur.

For FOS is “light,” OPOS is called “vision.” Whence also “Lucifer” in Greek is called FOSFOROS.

[38] Cocleae sunt altae et rotundae turres; et dictae cocleae quasi cycleae, quod in eis tamquam per circulum orbemque conscendatur; qualis est Romae centum septuaginta quinque pedibus.

[38] Cocleae are high and rotund towers; and they are called cocleae as if cycleae, because within them one ascends as though by a circle and an orb; such a one as is at Rome, 175 feet.

[39] Thermas appellatas quod caleant; Graeci enim THERMON calorem vocant.

[39] They are called Thermae because they are warm; for the Greeks call heat THERMON.

[40] Balneis vero nomen inditum a levatione maeroris; nam Graeci BALANEION dixerunt, quod anxietatem animi tollat. Haec et gymnasia dicuntur, quia ibi athletae uncto corpore et perfricato manibus exercitantur; nam GUMNASION Graece, Latine exercitium dicitur.

[40] But indeed the name for baths was assigned from the alleviation of grief; for the Greeks said BALANEION, because it takes away the anxiety of the mind. These too are called gymnasia, because there athletes, with the body anointed and rubbed down by the hands, are exercised; for GUMNASION in Greek, in Latin is called exercise.

[41] Apodyterium, ubi lavantium vestimenta ponuntur, ab exuendo scilicet dictum; APODUEIN enim Graece exuere dicitur.

[41] The apodyterium, where the garments of those bathing are placed, is so called from stripping off, namely; for in Greek APODUEIN is said to mean “to strip off.”

[42] Propina Graecus sermo est, quae apud nos corrupte popina dicitur: est autem locus iuxta balnea publica, ubi post lavacrum a fame et siti reficiuntur. Vnde et propina et propinare dicitur. PEINA enim Graece famem significat, eo quod hic locus famem tollat.

[42] Propina is a Greek term, which among us is corruptly called popina: moreover, it is a place next to the public baths, where after the bath they are refreshed from hunger and thirst. Whence both propina and propinare are said. For PEINA in Greek signifies hunger, because this place takes away hunger.

[43] Tabernaeolim vocabantur aediculae plebeiorum parvae et simplices in vicis, axibus et tabulis clausae; unde et tabernariae, quod ibi solebant consedere. Dictae autem tabernae quod ex tabulis lignisque erant constructae, quae nunc et si non speciem, nomen tamen pristinum retinent.

[43] Tabernae were formerly called the small and simple aediculae of the plebeians in the lanes, enclosed with beams and boards; whence also “tabernariae,” because they were accustomed to sit there. They were called tabernae because they were constructed out of planks and timbers, which now, even if not the appearance, nevertheless retain the former name.

[44] Macellum dictum quod ibi mactentur pecora quae mercantibus venundantur.

[44] The macellum is so called because there the beasts which are vended to merchants are slaughtered.

[45] Mercatum autem a conmercio nominatum. Ibi enim res vendere vel emere solitum est; sicut et teloneum dicitur ubi merces navium et nautarum emolumenta redduntur. Ibi enim vectigalis exactor sedet pretium rebus inpositurus, et voce a mercatoribus flagitans.

[45] The market, moreover, is named from commerce. For there it is customary to sell or to buy things; just as a toll/customs is so called where the duties on the wares of ships and the emoluments of sailors are paid. For there the tax-collector sits, to impose a price upon the goods, and demanding aloud from the merchants.

[46] Carcer est a quo prohibemur exire, et dictus carcer a coercendo, [Hinc Fronto (frag. 12): 'Et pergraecari potius amoenis locis quam coerceri carcere viderentur.']

[46] A prison is that from which we are forbidden to go out, and 'carcer' is said from 'coercing', [Hence Fronto (frag. 12): 'And they would seem rather to carouse in pleasant places than to be coerced in prison.']

III. DE HABITACVLIS.

3. ON HABITATIONS.

[1] Habitatio ab habendo vocata, ut 'habitare casas' (Virg. Ecl. 2,29). Domus ex Graeca appellatione vocata; nam DOMATA Graeci tecta dicunt.

[1] Habitation, called from having, as “to inhabit huts” (Virg. Ecl. 2, 29). House is named from a Greek appellation; for the Greeks call roofs DOMATA.

Est autem domus unius familiae habitatio, sicut urbs unius populi, sicut orbis domicilium totius generis humani.

Now, the house is the habitation of a single family, just as the city is of a single people, just as the world is the domicile of the whole human race.

[2] Omne aedificium antiqui aedem appellaverunt. Alii aedem ab edendo quiddam sumpsisse nomen existimant, dantes exemplum de Plauto (Poen. 529):

[2] The ancients called every edifice an aedes. Others think that aedes took something of its name from eating, giving an example from Plautus (Poen. 529):

Si vocassem vos in aedem ad prandium.

If I had invited you into the building for lunch.

Hinc et aedificium, eo quod fuerit prius ad edendum factum.

Hence also edifice, because it had previously been made for eating.

[3] Aula domus est regia, sive spatiosum habitaculum porticibus quattuor conclusum.

[3] Aula is a royal house, or a spacious habitation enclosed by four porticoes.

[4] Atrium magna aedes est, sive amplior et spatiosa domus; et dictum atrium [eo] quod addantur ei tres porticus extrinsecus. Alii atrium quasi ab igne et lychno atrum dixerunt; atrum enim fit ex fumo.

[4] The atrium is a great house, or a larger and spacious dwelling; and it is called an atrium [for this reason], because three porticoes are added to it on the outside. Others have said “atrium” as if from fire and lamp, “black” (atrum); for “black” is made from smoke.

[5] Palatium a Pallante principe Arcadum dictum, in cuius honore Arcades Pallanteum oppidum construxerunt, et regiam in ipsius nomine conditam Palatium vocaverunt.

[5] Palatium was said to be from Pallas, prince of the Arcadians, in whose honor the Arcadians constructed the town Pallanteum, and the royal residence founded in his name they called Palatium.

[6] Thalamum hac ex causa vocatum ferunt. Cum enim raptae fuissent a Romanis Sabinae, ex quibus cum una ante alias specie nobilis cum magna omnium admiratione raperetur, Thalamoni duci eam oraculo responsum est dari; et quoniam hae nuptiae feliciter cesserant, institutum est ut in omnibus nuptiis thalami nomen iteretur. Aegyptii quoque lingua sua loca, in quibus nubentes succedunt et cubant, 'thalamum' nominant.

[6] They report that the thalamus was called so for this reason. For when the Sabine women had been seized by the Romans, and among them, as one before the others—noble in appearance—was being carried off with great admiration from all, it was answered by an oracle that she be given to the leader Thalamon; and since these nuptials turned out happily, it was instituted that in all weddings the name of the thalamus be repeated. The Egyptians also, in their own language, call the places in which the betrothed enter and lie down “thalamum.”

[7] Coenaculum dictum a communione vescendi; unde et coenobium congregatio. Antiqui enim publice et in commune vescebant, nec ullius convivium singulare erat, ne in occulto deliciae luxuriam gignerent.

[7] Cenacle was so called from the communion of eating; whence also a coenobium is a congregation. For the ancients ate publicly and in common, nor was anyone’s banquet private, lest delights in secret should engender luxury.

[8] Triclinium est coenaculum, a tribus lectulis discumbentium dictum. Apud veteres enim in loco, ubi convivii apparatus exponebatur, tres lectuli strati erant, in quibus discumbentes epulabantur. KLINE enim Graece lectus vel adcubitus dicitur, ex quo confectum est ut triclinium diceretur.

[8] A triclinium is a coenaculum, so called from the three little couches of those reclining. For among the ancients, in the place where the apparatus of a banquet was set out, three little couches were spread, on which, reclining, they took their feasts. For KLINE in Greek is called a bed or a reclination, whence it was brought together that it was called a triclinium.

[9] Cella dicta quod nos occultat et celat. Cubiculum vero, quod eo cubamus ibique dormientes requiescimus. Cubile autem cubandi locus est.

[9] A cell is so called because it hides and conceals us. A cubicle, indeed, because there we lie down, and there, sleeping, we take our rest. But a cubile is a place for lying down.

Secessus, quod sit locus secretus, id est sine accessu.

Recess, because it is a secret place, that is, without access.

[10] Diversorium dictum eo quod ex diversis viis ibi conveniatur. Hospitium sermo Graecus est, ubi quis ad tempus hospitali iure inhabitat, et iterum inde transiens migrat. Inde et metatum, quia mutatur.

[10] Diversorium is so called because people come together there from diverse roads. Hospitium is a Greek term, where someone for a time inhabits by the right of hospitality, and then, passing on from there, migrates. Hence also metatum, because it is changed.

Vnde et legitur: 'castra metati sunt,' pro mutaverunt; non enim illic permanet exercitus, sed [per]transit.

Whence also it is read: 'they pitched the camp,' for 'they changed'; for the army does not remain there, but passes [through].

[11] Moenius collega Crassi in foro proiecit materias, ut essent loca in quibus spectantes insisterent, quae ex nomine eius Moeniana appellata sunt. Haec et solaria, quia patent soli. Post haec alii lapide, alii materia aedificavere porticibus moeniana, et foribus et domibus adiecerunt.

[11] Moenius, colleague of Crassus, in the forum set up timbers, so that there might be places on which spectators could stand, which from his name were called Moeniana. These are also solaria, because they lie open to the sun. After this, some built Moeniana in stone, others in timber, in the porticoes, and they added them to doorways and to houses.

[12] Tabulata olim ligneae domus fiebant. Inde nomen permanet tabulatorum. Hypogeum est constructum sub terris aedificium, quod nos antrum vel speluncam dicimus.

[12] Formerly, the stories of a house were made of wood. Hence the name of stories has remained. A hypogeum is a building constructed beneath the earth, which we call a cavern or a cave.

Solarium, quod soli et auris pateat, qualis fuit locus in quo David Bethsabee lavantem aspexit et adamavit.

Solarium, which lies open to the sun and the breezes, such as was the place in which David looked upon Bathsheba bathing and fell in love.

[13] Cum Hierosolymam Antiochus obsideret, Hyrcanus princeps Iudaeorum reserato David sepulcro, tria milia auri talenta inde abstraxit, ex quibus trecenta Antiocho dedit, ut obsidionem relinqueret; atque ut facti invidiam demeret, fertur ex reliqua pecunia instituisse primus xenodochia, quibus adventum susciperet pauperum et peregrinorum; unde et vocabulum sumpsit. Nam ex Graeco in Latinum KSENODOCHEION peregrinorum susceptio nuncupatur. Vbi autem aegrotantes de plateis colliguntur, NOSOKOMEION Graece dicitur; in quo consumpta languoribus atque inediis miserorum membra foventur.

[13] When Antiochus was besieging Jerusalem, Hyrcanus, prince of the Jews, having unsealed the sepulcher of David, drew out from there 3,000 talents of gold, of which he gave 300 to Antiochus, so that he might abandon the siege; and, to remove the ill-will of the deed, he is said, from the remaining money, to have first instituted xenodochia, by which he would receive the arrival of the poor and of pilgrims; whence also it took its name. For from Greek into Latin KSENODOCHEION is named “reception of peregrines.” Where, however, the sick are gathered from the streets, it is called in Greek NOSOKOMEION; in which the limbs of the wretched, wasted by illnesses and by lack of food, are cherished.

IV. DE AEDIFICIIS SACRIS.

4. ON SACRED BUILDINGS.

[1] Sacra sunt loca divinis cultibus instituta, utpote ea in quibus altaria litantibus de more pontificibus consecrantur.

[1] Sacred are the places instituted for divine cults, namely those in which altars are consecrated by pontiffs offering sacrifice according to custom.

[2] Sancta iuxta veteres exteriora templi sunt. Sancta autem sanctorum locus templi secretior, ad quem nulli erat accessus nisi tantum sacerdotis. Dicta autem Sancta sanctorum quia exteriori oraculo sanctiora sunt, vel quia sanctorum conparatione sanctiora sunt; sicut Cantica canticorum, quia cantica universa praecellunt.

[2] The Sancta, according to the ancients, are the exterior parts of the temple. But the Sancta sanctorum is the more secret place of the temple, to which there was access for no one except the priest alone. And it is called the Sancta sanctorum because they are holier than the outer oracle, or because by the comparison of holy things they are holier; just as the Cantica canticorum, because it excels all songs.

Sanctum autem a sanguine hostiae nuncupatum; nihil enim sanctum apud veteres dicebatur nisi quod hostiae sanguine esset consecratum aut consparsum. Item sanctum, quod extat esse sancitum. Sancire est autem confirmare et inrogatione poenae ab iniuria defendere; sic et leges sanctae et muri sancti esse dicuntur.

Moreover, “sanctum” is so named from the blood of the victim; for among the ancients nothing was called sacred unless it had been consecrated or sprinkled with the blood of a victim. Likewise, sanctum, because it is found to be sanctioned. To sanction (sancire) is to confirm and to defend from injury by the inrogation of a penalty; thus both laws are called sacred and walls sacred.

[3] Propitiatorium [quasi propitiationis oratorium; propitiatio enim placatio est]. Oracula dicta eo quod inde responsa redduntur; et oracula ab ore.

[3] The propitiatory [as if an oratory of propitiation; for propitiation is placation]. Oracles are so called because from there responses are returned; and oracles are from the mouth.

[4] Penetralia secreta sunt oraculorum; et penetralia dicta sunt ab eo quod est penitus, hoc est pene intus. Oratorium orationi tantum est consecratum, in quo nemo aliquid agere debet nisi ad quod est factum; unde et nomen accepit.

[4] The penetralia are the secret places of the oracles; and penetralia are so called from penitus, that is, nearly within. An oratory is consecrated to oration only, in which no one ought to do anything except that for which it was made; whence it also received its name.

[5] Monasterium unius monachi habitatio est. MONOS enim apud Graecos solus, STERION statio; id est solitarii habitatio.

[5] A monastery is the habitation of a single monk. For among the Greeks MONOS is ‘alone’, STERION ‘station’; that is, the habitation of a solitary.

[6] Coenobium ex Graeco et Latino videtur esse conpositum. Est enim habitaculum plurimorum in commune viventium; KOINON enim Graece commune dicitur.

[6] A coenobium seems to be composed from Greek and Latin. For it is the habitation of many living in common; for KOINON in Greek is called “common.”

[7] Templi nomen generale; pro locis enim quibuscumque magnis antiqui templa dicebant: et templa dicta quasi tecta ampla. Sed et locus designatus ad orientem a contemplatione templum dicebatur. Cuius partes quattuor erant: antica ad ortum, postica ad occasum, sinistra ad septentrionem, dextra ad meridiem spectans.

[7] The name “temple” is general; for the ancients used to call “temples” large places of whatever kind: and “temples” were called as if “ample roofs.” But also a place designated toward the east, from contemplation, was called a temple. Its parts were four: the front toward the east, the rear toward the west, the left toward the north, the right facing toward the south.

Vnde et quando templum construebant, orientem spectabant aequinoctialem, ita ut lineae ab ortu ad occidentem missae fierent partes caeli dextra sinistra aequales; ut qui consuleret atque precaretur rectum aspiceret orientem.

Wherefore also, when they constructed a temple, they faced the equinoctial east, such that lines sent from the east to the Occident would make the parts of the sky on the right and on the left equal; so that whoever consulted and prayed would look straight toward the east.

[8] Fana dicta a Faunis, uibus templa error gentilium construebat unde consulentes daemonum responsa audirent.

[8] Shrines are called from the Fauns, for whom the error of the gentiles was building temples, whence those consulting might hear the responses of demons.

[9] Delubra veteres dicebant templa fontes habentia, quibus ante ingressum diluebantur; et appellari delubra a diluendo. Ipsa sunt nunc aedes cum sacris fontibus, in quibus fideles regenerati purificantur: et bene quodam praesagio delubra sunt appellata; sunt enim in ablutionem peccatorum.

[9] The ancients used to call delubra temples having fountains, by which, before entry, they were washed; and that delubra are named from washing. These now are edifices with sacred fonts, in which the faithful, reborn, are purified: and well, by a certain presage, they were called delubra; for they are for the ablution of sins.

[10] Fons autem in delubris locus regeneratorum est, in quo septem gradus in Spiritus sancti mysterio formantur; tres in descensu et tres in ascensu: septimus vero is est qui et quartus, id est similis Filio hominis, extinguens fornacem ignis, stabilimentum pedum fundamentum aquae; in quo plenitudo divinitatis habitat corporaliter.

[10] The font, moreover, in the shrines is the place of the regenerated, in which seven steps are formed in the mystery of the Holy Spirit; three in the descent and three in the ascent: but the seventh is that which is also the fourth, that is, like the Son of Man, extinguishing the furnace of fire, a stability of the feet, a foundation of water; in whom the fullness of divinity dwells bodily.

[11] Basilicae prius vocabantur regum habitacula, unde et nomen habent; nam BASILEUS rex et basilicae regiae habitationes. Nunc autem ideo divina templa basilicae nominantur, quia ibi regi omnium Deo cultus et sacrificia offeruntur.

[11] Basilicae were formerly called the habitations of kings, whence they also have the name; for BASILEUS is “king” and basilicae are royal habitations. Now, however, for this reason the divine temples are called basilicae, because there worship and sacrifices are offered to God, the king of all.

[12] Martyrium locus martyrum Graeca derivatione, eo quod in memoria martyris sit constructum, vel quod sepulchra sanctorum ibi sint martyrum.

[12] Martyrium, a place of martyrs by Greek derivation, because it is constructed in memory of a martyr, or because the sepulchres of the saints—namely, of martyrs—are there.

[13] Aram quidam vocatam dixerunt quod ibi incensae victimae ardeant. Alii aras dicunt a precationibus, id est quas Graeci ARAS dicunt; unde contra inprecatio KATARA dicitur. Alii volunt ab altitudine aras, sed male.

[13] Some have said that the altar (aram) is so called because there the kindled sacrificial victims burn. Others say altars (aras) are from precations, that is, what the Greeks call ARAS; whence, conversely, imprecation is called KATARA. Others wish altars to be from height (altitudo), but wrongly.

[14] Altare autem ab altitudine constat esse nominatum, quasi alta ara.

[14] The altar, moreover, is held to be named from altitude, as it were a high altar.

[15] Pulpitum, quod in eo lector vel psalmista positus in publico conspici a populo possit, quo liberius audiatur.

[15] The pulpit, because upon it the lector or psalmist, positioned in public, can be seen by the people, whereby he may be heard the more freely.

[16] Tribunal, eo quod inde a sacerdote tribuantur praecepta vivendi. Est enim locus in sublimi constitutus, unde universi exaudire possint. Alias tribunal a tribu denominatum, quod ad illud tribus convocetur.

[16] Tribunal, because from it by the priest the precepts of living are apportioned. For it is a place constituted on high, whence all may be able to hear clearly. Otherwise, tribunal is denominated from tribe (tribus), because to it the tribe is convened.

[17] Analogium dictum quod sermo inde praedicetur; nam LOGOS Graece sermo dicitur; quod et ipsud altius situm est [ut in eo lector vel psalmista positus in publico conspici a populo possit, quo liberius audiatur].

[17] The analogium is so called because a sermon is preached from it; for LOGOS in Greek is called “sermon”; and it too is set higher [so that on it the lector or psalmist, placed in public, may be seen by the people, whereby he may be heard more freely].

V. DE REPOSITORIIS.

5. ON REPOSITORIES.

[1] Sacrarium proprie est locus templi in quo sacra reponuntur; sicut donarium est in quo conlocantur oblata; sicut lectisternia dicuntur ubi homines sedere consueverunt. Ab inferendis igitur et deportandis sacris sacrarium nuncupatur.

[1] A sacrarium is properly the place of the temple in which sacred things are laid up; just as a donarium is that in which oblations are placed; just as those places where men have been accustomed to sit are called lectisternia. From the bringing in and the carrying away of sacred things, therefore, it is named a sacrarium.

[2] Donaria vero, eo quod ibi dona reponantur quae in templis offerre consueverunt.

[2] Donaries, indeed, so called because there the gifts are stored which they have been accustomed to offer in temples.

[3] Aerarium vocatum quia prius aes signatum ibi recondebatur. Hoc enim olim in usu erat auro argentoque nondum signato: ex quorum metallis quamvis postea facta fuisset pecunia, nomen tamen aerarii permansit ab eo metallo unde pecunia [nomen] initium sumpsit.

[3] The Aerarium was so called because at first stamped bronze was stored away there. For this was formerly in use, with gold and silver not yet stamped; and although later money was made from those metals, nevertheless the name Aerarium remained from that metal whence money took its beginning [its name].

[4] Armarium locus est ubi quarumcumque artium instrumenta ponuntur. Armamentarium vero, ubi tantum tela armorum. Vnde Iuvenalis (13,83):

[4] An armarium is a place where the instruments of whatever arts are put. The armamentarium, however, [is] where only the missiles of arms. Whence Juvenal (13,83):

Quidquid habet telorum armamentaria caeli.

Whatever missiles the armories of heaven have.

Dicta autem utraque ab armis, id est brachiis, quibus exercentur.

Both, however, are named from arms, that is, from the arms (the upper limbs), by which they are exercised.

[5] Bibliotheca est locus ubi reponuntur libri; BIBLOS enim Graece liber, THEKE repostorium dicitur.

[5] A library is a place where books are deposited; for BIBLOS in Greek means “book,” and THEKE is called a “repository.”

[6] Promtuarium dictum eo quod inde necessaria victui promuntur, hoc est proferuntur.

[6] A promtuarium is so called because from there the things necessary for sustenance are brought forth, that is, are proffered.

[7] Cellarium, quod in eo colligantur ministeria mensarum, vel quae necessaria victui supersunt. Inter promtuarium autem et cellarium hoc interest quod cellarium est paucorum dierum, promtuarium vero temporis longi est.

[7] A cellar, because in it there are gathered the services of the tables, or those things necessary for sustenance that are left over. Between a storehouse and a cellar this is the difference: the cellar is for a few days, but the storehouse is for a long time.

[8] Apotheca autem vel horrea a Graeco, verbum e verbo repostoria vel reconditoria dici possunt, eo quod in his homines elaboratas fruges reponunt. Vnde et enthecam Graeco nomine repositam rei copiosam substantiam appellamus.

[8] But apothecae or horrea, from the Greek, can be called, word for word, repositories or reconditories, because in these men reposited the elaborated (prepared) crops. Whence also, by the Greek name, we call an entheca the reposed abundant substance of a thing.

VI. DE OPERARIIS.

6. ON WORKERS.

[1] Ergasterium locus est ubi opus aliquod fit. Graeco enim sermone ERGA opera, STERION statio; id est operarii statio.

[1] An ergasterium is a place where some work is done. For in the Greek speech ERGA means “works,” STERION “station”; that is, the station of the workers.

[2] Ergastula quoque et ipsa a Graeco vocabulo nuncupantur, ubi deputantur noxii ad aliquod opus faciendum; ut solent gladiatores et exules, qui marmora secant et tamen vinculorum custodiis alligati sunt.

[2] Ergastula likewise themselves are named from a Greek vocable, where the convicted are assigned to do some work; as is the custom with gladiators and exiles, who cut marbles and yet are bound by the custody of chains.

[3] Gynaeceum Graece dictum eo quod ibi conventus feminarum ad opus lanificii exercendum conveniat. Mulier enim Graece GUNE nuncupatur.

[3] Gynaeceum is said in Greek because there the assembly of women comes together to exercise the work of wool-working. For woman in Greek is called GUNE.

[4] Pistrinum quasi pilistrinum, quia pilo antea tundebant granum. Vnde et apud veteres non molitores sed pistores dicti, quasi pinsores, a pinsendis granis frumenti; molae enim usus nondum erat, sed granum pilo pinsebant. Vnde et Vergilius (Georg. 1,267):

[4] The pistrinum, as it were pilistrinum, because earlier they used to beat the grain with a pestle (pilum). Whence also among the ancients they were called not millers (molitores) but pistors, as if “pounders,” from the pounding (pinsere) of the grains of wheat; for the use of the mill was not yet, but they pounded the grain with a pestle. Whence also Vergil (Georgics 1,267):

Nunc torrete igni fruges, nunc frangite saxo.

Now toast the grain with fire, now break it with stone.

[5] Clibanus [a clivo dictus, ab eo quod in erectione sit collectus; clivum enim ascensum dicimus sive flexuosum].

[5] Clibanus [called from clivus, from the fact that in erection it is collected; for we call a clivus an ascent or a flexuous (winding) one].

[6] Furnum per derivationem a farre dictum, quoniam panis ex eo factus ibi coquitur.

[6] The oven is said by derivation from far (spelt), since bread made from it is baked there.

[7] Torcular dictum eo quod ibi uvae calcentur atque extortae exprimantur.

[7] The torcular is so named because there the grapes are trodden and, wrung out, are expressed.

[8] Forus est locus ubi uva calcatur, dictus quod ibi feratur uva, vel propter quod ibi pedibus feriatur: unde et calcatorium dicitur. Sed hoc nomen multa significat: prima species fori locus in civitate ad exercendas nundinas relictus; secunda, ubi magistratus iudicare solet; tertia, quem supra diximus, quem calcatorium nominavimus. Quarta, spatia plana in navibus, de quibus Vergilius (Aen. 6,412):

[8] A forus is the place where the grape is trodden, so called because the grape is carried there, or because there it is struck by the feet: whence it is also called a calcatorium. But this name signifies many things: the first species of forus is the place in a city left for conducting markets; the second, where a magistrate is accustomed to judge; the third, the one we mentioned above, which we named a calcatorium. The fourth, the level spaces in ships, about which Vergil (Aen. 6,412):

Laxatque foros.
Lacus dictus quia ibi decurrit frugum liquor.

And he loosens the decks.
Lacus is so called because there the liquor of the fruits runs down.

VII. DE ADITIBVS.

7. ON ENTRANCES.

[1] Aditus ab eundo dictus, per quem ingredimur et admittimur.

[1] An adit is said to be from “going,” through which we enter and are admitted.

[2] Vestibulum est vel aditus domus privatae, vel spatium adiacens aedibus publicis. Et vestibulum dictum eo quod eo vestiuntur fores, aut quod aditum tecto vestiat, aut ab stando.

[2] A vestibule is either the approach to a private house, or a space adjoining public buildings. And “vestibule” is so named because there the doors are clothed, or because it clothes the approach with a roof, or from standing.

[3] Porticus, quod transitus sit magis quam ubi standum sit, quasi porta; et porticus, eo quod sit apertus.

[3] Portico, because it is more for transit than for where one must stand, as if from gate; and portico, because it is open (apert).

[4] Ianua a Iano quodam appellatur, cui gentiles omne introitum vel exitum sacraverunt. Vnde Lucanus (1,62):

[4] The door (ianua) is named from a certain Janus, to whom the pagans consecrated every entrance or exit. Whence Lucan (1,62):

Ferrea belligeri conpescat limina Iani.

Let him restrain the iron thresholds of belligerent Janus.

Est autem primus domus ingressus; cetera intra ianuam ostia vocantur generaliter. Ostium est per quod ab aliquo arcemur ingressu, ab ostando dictum [sive ostium, quia ostendit aliquid intus]. Alii aiunt ostium appellari quia ostem moratur; ibi enim adversariis nos obicimus: hinc et Ostia Tiberina, quia ostibus sunt opposita. Fores et valvae claustra sunt; sed fores dicuntur quae foras, valvae, quae intus revolvuntur, et duplices conplicabilesque sunt.

Moreover, it is the first ingress of a house; the rest within the door are generally called ostia. An ostium is that through which we are warded off from entry by someone, said to be from “withstanding” [or ostium, because it shows something inside]. Others say it is called ostium because it delays the enemy; for there we set ourselves against adversaries: hence also the Ostia of the Tiber, because they are set opposite to the mouths. Fores and valvae are closures; but fores are those which open outward, valvae those which turn inward, and they are double and foldable.

Sed generaliter usus vocabula ista corrupit.

But, in general, usage has corrupted those terms.

[5] Claustra ab eo quod claudantur dicta.

[5] Closures are so called from the fact that they are closed.

[6] Fenestrae sunt quibus pars exterior angusta et interior diffusa [est], quales in horreis videmus, dictae eo quod lucem fenerent: lux enim Graece FOS dicitur: vel quia per eas intus positus homo videt. Alii fenestram putant dictam eo quod domui lucem minestret, conpositum nomen ex Graeco Latinoque sermone; FOS enim Graece lux est.

[6] Windows are those in which the outer part is narrow and the inner spread out [is], such as we see in granaries, called thus because they “lend” light: for light in Greek is called FOS; or because through them a man placed inside sees. Others think “window” is so called because it ministers light to the house, a name compounded from Greek and Latin speech; for in Greek FOS is light.

[7] Cardo est locus in quo ostium vertitur et semper movetur, dictus APO TES KARDIAS, quod quasi cor hominem totum, ita ille cuneus ianuam regat ac moveat. Vnde et proverbiale est: 'In cardine rem esse.'

[7] A hinge is the place in which a door turns and is ever moved, called FROM THE HEART, because just as the heart governs and moves the whole man, so that wedge governs and moves the door. Whence also it is proverbial: 'The matter is on the hinge.'

[8] Limina ostiorum dicta eo quod transversa sint ut limes, et per ea sicut in agro aut introeatur aut foris eatur.

[8] The thresholds of doorways are so called because they are set crosswise like a limit (limes), and through them, as in a field, either one goes in or goes out.

[9] Postes et antae quasi post et ante: et antae quia ante stant, vel quia antea ad eas accedimus prius quam domum ingrediamur; postes eo quod post ostium stent.

[9] Doorposts and antae, as if from “post” and “ante”: and “antae” because they stand before, or because beforehand we approach to them before we enter the house; “posts” because they stand after the door.

VIII. DE PARTIBVS AEDIFICIORVM.

8. ON THE PARTS OF BUILDINGS.

[1] Fundamentum dictum quod fundus sit domui. Idem et caementum a caedendo dictum, quod caeso crasso lapide surgat.

[1] The foundation is so called because it is the bottom (fundus) of a house. Likewise, cement (caementum) is said from “cutting” (caedendo), because it rises from thick stone that has been cut.

[2] Paries nuncupatus quia semper duo sunt pares, vel a latere vel a fronte. Sive enim tetragonum sive hexagonum sit, qui se conspiciunt ex pari erunt.

[2] Wall is so named because there are always two that are peers (pairs), either on the side or on the front. For whether it be a tetragon or a hexagon, those that look at one another will be equal in pairs.

[3] Aliter enim structura facta deformis est. Parietinas dicimus quasi parietum ruinas: sunt enim parietes stantes sine tecto, sine habitantibus.

[3] For otherwise, the structure, when made otherwise, is deformed. We call parietinae, as it were, the ruins of walls: for they are walls standing without a roof, without inhabitants.

[4] Angulus, quod duos parietes in unum coniungat. Culmina dicta sunt quia apud antiquos tecta culmo tegebantur, ut nunc rusticani. Hinc tecti summitas culmen dicitur.

[4] Angle, because it conjoins two walls into one. Ridges are so called because among the ancients roofs were covered with culm (straw), as now among rustics. Hence the summit of the roof is called the ridge.

[5] Camerae sunt volumina introrsum respicientia, appellatae a curvo; KAMOUR enim Graece curvum est.

[5] Vaults are curvatures looking inward, appellated from the curve; for KAMOUR in Greek is 'curved'.

[6] Laquearia sunt quae cameram subtegunt et ornant, quae et lacunaria dicuntur. Principaliter autem lacus dicitur, ut Lucilius (1290):

[6] The lacunary panels are those which under-cover and adorn the vault, which are also called lacunaria. But primarily the term “lacus” is used, as Lucilius (1290).

Resultant aedesque lacusque.

Both the houses and the hollows resound.

Cuius diminutio lacunar facit, ut Horatius (C. 2,18,1):

of which the diminutive makes lacunar, as Horace (Odes 2, 18, 1):

Neque aureum
mea renidet in domo lacunar.

Nor does a golden
lacunar gleam in my house.

Inde fit alia diminutio lacunarium; et per ANTISTICHON laquearium facit.

Thence another diminution of lacunar is made; and by ANTISTICHON it makes laquearium.

[7] Absida Graeco sermone, Latine interpretatur lucida,eoquod lumine accepto per arcum resplendeat. Sed utrum absidam an absidem dicere debeamus, hoc verbi genus ambiguum quidam doctorum existimant.

[7] Absida in Greek speech, in Latin is interpreted as lucid/bright, because, with light received through an arch, it shines resplendent. But whether we ought to say absidam or absidem, some of the learned consider this kind of word ambiguous.

[8] Testudo est camera templi obliqua. Nam in modum testudinis veteres templorum tecta faciebant; quae ideo sic fiebant ut caeli imaginem redderet, quod constat esse convexum. Alii testudinem volunt esse locum in parte atrii adversum venientibus.

[8] The testudo is the oblique vault of a temple. For in the manner of a tortoise the ancients made the roofs of temples; which therefore were thus made so that it might render the image of the sky, which is agreed to be convex. Others wish the testudo to be the place in a part of the atrium facing those coming in.

[9] Arcus dicti quod sint arta conclusione curvati; ipsi et fornices.

[9] Arches are so called because they are curved with a tight enclosure; they themselves are also vaults.

[10] Pavimenta originem apud Graecos habent elaborata arte picturae; lithostrota parvulis crustis ac tessellis tinctis in varios colores. Vocata autem pavimenta eo quod paviantur, id est caedantur. Vnde et pavor, quia caedit cor.

[10] Pavements have their origin among the Greeks, elaborated by the pictorial art; lithostrota with very small crusts and tessellae tinctured in various colors. They are called pavements because they are paved, that is, beaten. Whence also “pavor,” because it strikes the heart.

[11] Ostracus est pavimentum testaceum, eo quod fractis testis calce admixto feriatur, testa enim Graeci OSTRA dicunt.

[11] Ostracus is a testaceous pavement, because, with broken potsherds, with lime mixed in, it is struck; for the Greeks call a potsherd OSTRA.

[12] Conpluvium dictum quia aquae partibus, quae circa sunt, eo conveniunt. Tessella sunt e quibus domicilia sternuntur, a tesseris nominata, id est quadratis lapillis, per diminutionem.

[12] A compluvium is so called because the waters from the parts that are around converge to it. Tessella are those with which dwellings are paved, named from tesserae, that is, little square stones, by diminution.

[13] Bases fulturae sunt columnarum, quae a fundamento consurgunt et superpositae fabricae sustinent pondus. 'Bases' autem nomen petrae est fortissimae Syro sermone.

[13] Bases are the supports of columns, which rise from the foundation and sustain the weight of the superposed structure. 'Bases,' however, is the name of a very strong stone in the Syrian speech.

[14] Columnae pro longitudine et rotunditate vocatae, in quibus totius fabricae pondus erigitur. Antiqua ratio erat columnarum altitudinis tertia pars latitudinum. Genera rotundarum quattuor: Doricae, Ionicae, Tuscanicae, Corinthiae, mensura crassitudinis et altitudinis inter se distantes.

[14] Columns, so called on account of length and roundness, on which the weight of the whole fabric is borne up. The ancient proportion was that the widths were a third part of the heights of columns. The kinds of the round ones are four: Doric, Ionic, Tuscan, Corinthian, differing among themselves in the measure of thickness and height.

Quintum genus est earum quae vocantur Atticae, quaternis angulis aut amplius, paribus laterum intervallis.

The fifth genus is of those which are called Attic, with four corners or more, with equal intervals of the sides.

[15] Capitolia dicta quod sint columnarum capita, sicut super collum caput. Epistolia sunt quae super capitella columnarum ponuntur; et est Graecum [id est supermissa]. Tegulae, quod tegant aedes; et imbrices, quod accipiant imbres.

[15] Capitals are so called because they are the heads of columns, just as the head is above the neck. Epistyles are those which are placed above the capitals of columns; and it is Greek [that is, “set above”]. Tiles, because they cover buildings; and imbrices, because they receive the rains.

[16] Lateres et laterculi, quod lati formentur circumactis undique quattuor tabulis. Canalis ab eo quod cava sit in modum cannae. Sane canalem melius genere feminino quam masculino proferimus.

[16] Bricks and little bricks, so called because they are formed broad, with four boards turned about on all sides. Canal is from the fact that it is hollow in the manner of a cane. Indeed, we express canalem better in the feminine gender than in the masculine.

[17] Fistulae aquarum sunt dictae quod aquas fundant et mittant; nam STOLA Graece mittere est. Formae earum pro magnitudine aquae et capacitatis modo fiunt.

[17] Water-pipes are so called because they pour out and send the waters; for STOLA in Greek is “to send.” Their forms are made according to the magnitude of the water and the measure of capacity.

IX. DE MVNITIONIBVS.

9. ON FORTIFICATIONS.

[1] Munitum vel munimentum dictum quia manu est factum. Cohors vocata vel quod coartet cuncta quae interius sunt, id est concludat, vel quod coerceat obiectu suo extraneos et adire prohibeat.

[1] “Munitum” or “munimentum” is so called because it is made by hand. “Cohort” is called either because it coarcts all the things that are inside—that is, it encloses—or because it coerces outsiders by its own obstruction and forbids them to approach.

[2] Vallum est quod mole terrae erigitur, ut custodia praetendatur. Dictum autem vallum a vallis; nam valli fustes sunt, quibus vallum munitur. Et valli dicti quod figantur et vellantur.

[2] A rampart is that which is raised by a mass of earth, so that a guard may be put forward. It is called a vallum from the valli; for valli are staves, by which the rampart is fortified. And they are called valli because they are fixed in and pulled up.

Intervalla sunt spatia inter capita vallorum, id est stipitum quibus vallum fit; unde et cetera quoque spatia dicunt, ab stipitibus scilicet.

Intervals are the spaces between the heads of the ramparts, that is, of the stakes by which the rampart is made; whence they also call other spaces so, from the stakes, to wit.

[3] Agger est cuiuslibet rei acervatio, unde fossae aut valles possint repleri. Agger proprie dicitur terra aggesta quae vallo facto propius ponitur; sed abusive et muros et munimenta omnia aggerem dicimus.

[3] An agger is the acervation of any thing, whereby fosses or valleys can be filled. Properly, an agger is called the aggested earth which is set closer to the rampart once it is made; but abusively we call even walls and all muniments an agger.

[4] Maceriae sunt parietes longi quibus vineae aliquae clauduntur; longum enim Graeci MAKRON dicunt.

[4] Maceriae are long walls by which some vineyards are enclosed; for the Greeks call “long” MAKRON.

[5] Formatum, sive formacium, in Africa et Hispania parietes e terra appellant, quoniam in forma circumdatis duabus utrimque tabulis inferciuntur verius quam instruuntur. Aevis durant incorrupti ventis, ignibus omnique caemento fortiores.

[5] “Formatum,” or “formacium,” in Africa and Spain they call walls of earth, because into a form, with two boards set around on either side, they are packed in rather than built. Uncorrupted, they endure for ages, stronger than winds, fires, and every kind of cement-work.

[6] Sepes munimenta satorum sunt; unde et appellatae. Caulas munimenta ovium vel sepimenta ovilium. Est autem Graecum nomen C [littera] detracta; nam Graeci AULAS vocant animalium receptacula.

[6] Hedges are the muniments of plantings; whence also they are appellated. Caulas are the muniments of sheep, or the sepiments of sheepfolds. Moreover, it is a Greek name, with the letter C removed; for the Greeks call AULAS the receptacles of animals.

X. DE TENTORIIS.

10. ON TENTS.

[1] Tabernacula tentoria sunt militum, quibus in itinere solis ardores tempestatesque imbrium frigorisque iniurias vitant. Dicta autem tabernacula quod cortinae distentae funibus tabulis interstantibus adpenderentur, quae tentoria sustinerent.

[1] Tabernacles are the tents of soldiers, by which on the journey they avoid the heats of the sun and the tempests of rains and the injuries of cold. They are called tabernacles because the curtains, distended by ropes, are hung upon interstanding boards, which support the tents.

[2] Tentorium vocatum eo quod tendatur funibus atque palis; unde et hodie praetendere dicuntur.

[2] Tentorium is so called because it is stretched by ropes and stakes; whence even today they are said to pre-tend.

[3] Papiliones vocantur a similitudine parvuli animalis volantis, quae maxime abundant florentibus malvis. Haec sunt aviculae quae lumine accenso conveniunt, et circa volitantes ab igne proxime interire coguntur.

[3] Papiliones are so called from the likeness to a small flying animal, which are most abundant when the mallows are flowering. These are little birds that gather when a light is kindled, and, flitting around, are compelled to perish close to the fire.

XI. DE SEPVLCHRIS.

11. ON SEPULCHRES.

[1] Sepulchrum a sepulto dictum. Prius autem quisque in domo sua sepeliebatur. Postea vetitum est legibus, ne foetore ipso corpora viventium contacta inficerentur.

[1] A sepulcher is so called from the buried. Formerly, however, each person was buried in his own house. Afterwards it was forbidden by the laws, lest by the very fetor the bodies of the living, once touched, be infected.

Monumentum ideo nuncupatur eo quod mentem moneat ad defuncti memoriam. Cum enim non videris monumentum, illud est quod scriptum est (Psalm. 31,12): 'Excidi tamquam mortuus a corde.' Cum autem videris, monet mentem et ad memoriam te reducit ut mortuum recorderis.

Monument is therefore so named because it admonishes the mind to the memory of the deceased. For when you have not seen the monument, it is that which is written (Psalm. 31,12): 'I am cut off like one dead from the heart.' But when you have seen it, it admonishes the mind and leads you back to remembrance, so that you remember the deceased.

Monumenta itaque et memoriae pro mentis admonitione dictae.

Therefore monuments and memorials are so named for the admonition of the mind.

[2] Tumulus dictus quasi tumens tellus. Sarcophagus Graecum est nomen, eo quod ibi corpora absumantur; SARKS enim Graece caro, FAGEIN comedere dicitur.

[2] A tumulus is so called as if “swelling earth.” Sarcophagus is a Greek name, because bodies are consumed there; for SARKS in Greek is “flesh,” and PHAGEIN “to eat.”

[3] Mausolea sunt sepulchra seu monumenta regum, a Mausol[e]o rege Aegyptiorum dicta. Nam eo defuncto uxor eius mirae magnitudinis et pulchritudinis extruxit sepulchrum in tantum ut usque hodie omnia monumenta pretiosa ex nomine eius Mausolea nuncupentur.

[3] Mausolea are the sepulchers or monuments of kings, named from Mausolus, king of the Egyptians. For, when he was deceased, his wife erected a sepulcher of wondrous magnitude and beauty, to such an extent that even to this day all precious monuments are, from his name, called mausolea.

[4] Pyramides genus sepulchrorum quadratum et fastigiatum ultra omnem excelsitatem quae fieri manu possit, unde et mensuram umbrarum egressae nullam habere umbram dicuntur. Tali autem aedificio surgunt ut a lato incipiant et in angusto finiantur sicut ignis; PUR enim dicitur ignis. Hos Aegyptus habet.

[4] Pyramids are a quadrate and fastigiate kind of sepulchers, beyond every height that can be made by hand, whence also, having gone beyond the measure of shadows, they are said to have no shadow. Moreover, they rise with such a structure that they begin from a wide base and finish in a narrow point, like fire; for PUR is called fire. Egypt has these.

Apud maiores enim potentes aut sub montibus aut in montibus sepeliebantur. Inde tractum est ut super cadavera aut pyramides fierent, aut ingentes columnae conlocarentur.

For among the ancients the powerful were buried either under mountains or in mountains. Thence it was derived that over the cadavers either pyramids were made, or huge columns were set in place.

XII. DE AEDIFICIIS RVSTICIS.

12. ON RUSTIC EDIFICES.

[1] Casa est agreste habitaculum palis atque virgultis arundinibusque contextum, quibus possint homines tueri a [vi] frigoris vel caloris iniuria.

[1] A cottage is a rustic habitation woven with stakes and brushwood and reeds, by which men can protect themselves from the [force] of the injury of cold or of heat.

[2] Tugurium casula est quam faciunt sibi custodes vinearum ad tegimen sui, quasi tegurium, sive propter ardorem solis et radios declinandos, sive ut inde vel homines vel bestiolas, quae insidiare solent natis frugibus, abigant. Hunc rustici capannam vocant, quod unum tantum capiat.

[2] A tugurium is a little hut (casula) which the keepers of vineyards make for themselves for the covering of themselves, as if it were a “tegurium,” either on account of the heat of the sun and to deflect the rays, or so that from there they may drive away either men or little beasts that are wont to lie in wait for newborn crops. This the rustics call a capanna, because it holds only one.

[3] Tescua quidam putant esse tuguria, quidam loca praerupta et aspera.

[3] Some think tescua are huts, others precipitous and rough places.

[4] Magalia aedificia Numidarum agrestium oblonga, incurvis lateribus tecta, quasi navium carinae sunt, sive rotunda in modum furnorum. Et magalia dicta quasi magaria, quia 'magar' Punici novam villam dicunt, una littera commutata L pro R, magalia, magaria.

[4] Magalia are the edifices of the rustic Numidians, oblong, with curved sides roofed over, like the keels/hulls of ships, or round in the mode of ovens. And they are called magalia as if magaria, because the Punics call a new villa “magar”; with one letter changed, L for R: magalia, magaria.

XIII. DE AGRIS.

13. ON FIELDS.

[1] Ager Latine appellari dicitur eo quod in eo agatur aliquid. Alii agrum ex Graeco nominari manifestius credunt.

[1] A field is said to be appellated in Latin because something is acted in it. Others more plainly believe that the field is named from the Greek.

[2] Vnde et villa Graece †coragros† dicitur. Villa a vallo, id est aggere terrae, nuncupata, quod pro limite constitui solet.

[2] Whence also a villa in Greek is called †coragros†. Villa is so named from vallum, that is, an agger of earth, because it is wont to be set up in place of the limit.

[3] Possessiones sunt agri late patentes publici privatique, quos initio non mancipatione, sed quisque ut potuit occupavit atque possedit; unde et nuncupati.

[3] Possessions are fields broadly extending, public and private, which at the beginning not by mancipation, but each, as he was able, occupied and possessed; whence also they are so named.

[4] Fundus dictus quod eo fundatur vel stabiliatur patrimonium. Fundus autem et urbanum aedificium et rusticum intellegendum est.

[4] The fundus is so called because upon it the patrimony is founded or stabilized. By fundus, moreover, both an urban building and a rustic one are to be understood.

[5] Praedium, quod ex omnibus patrifamilias maxime praevidetur, id est apparet, quasi praevidium; vel quod antiqui agros, quos bello ceperant, ut praedae nomine habebant.

[5] An estate, which of all the things of a paterfamilias is most fore-seen, that is, is apparent, as if a praevidium; or because the ancients used to hold the fields which they had taken in war under the name of booty (praeda).

[6] Omnis autem ager, ut Varro docet, quadrifarius dividitur: aut enim arvus est ager, id est sationalis; aut consitus, id est aptus arboribus; aut pascuus, qui herbis tantum et animalibus vacat; aut florus, quod sunt horti apibus congruentes et floribus. Quod etiam Vergilius in quattuor libros Georgicorum secutus est.

[6] But all land, as Varro teaches, is divided fourfold: for either the land is arable, that is, sational; or planted, that is, apt for trees; or pasture, which is devoted only to grasses and to animals; or flowery, namely gardens congruent to bees and to flowers. Which also Vergil followed in the four books of the Georgics.

[7] Rura veteres incultos agros dicebant, id est silvas et pascua; agrum vero, qui colebatur. Nam rus est quo mel, quo lac, quo pecus haberi potest; unde et rusticus nominatur: haec agrestium prima et otiosa felicitas.

[7] The ancients called rura the uncultivated fields, that is, woods and pastures; but agrum they used for the field that was tilled. For rus is that by which honey, by which milk, by which livestock can be had; whence “rustic” also is named: this is the first and leisured felicity of country folk.

[8] Seges ager est in quo seritur; unde et Vergilius (Georg. 1,47):

[8] A grain-field is a field in which seed is sown; whence also Vergil (Georgics 1, 47):

Illa seges demum votis respondet avari
agricolae.

That crop at last responds to the vows
of the avaricious farmer.

[9] Conpascuus ager dictus qui a divisoribus agrorum relictus est ad pascendum communiter vicinis.

[9] A conpascuous field is so called which has been left by the dividers of fields for grazing in common by the neighbors.

[10] Alluvius ager est quem paulatim fluvius in agrum reddit.

[10] Alluvial land is that which a river gradually gives back (adds) to a field.

[11] Arcifinius ager dictus est qui a certis linearum mensuris non continetur, sed arcentur fines eius obiectu fluminum, montium, arborum; unde et in his agris nihil subsicivorum intervenit.

[11] An arcifinal field is so called which is not contained by fixed measures of lines, but its boundaries are warded off by the interposition of rivers, mountains, trees; whence also in these fields no subsecives intervene.

[12] Novalis ager est primum proscissus, sive qui alternis annis vacat novandarum sibi virium causa. Novalia enim semel cum fructu erunt et semel vacua.

[12] Noval land is first ploughed up, or that which in alternate years lies fallow for the sake of renewing its own powers. For the novalia will be once with produce and once vacant.

[13] Squalidus ager quasi excolidus, quod iam a cultura exierit; sicut exconsul, quod a consulatu discesserit.

[13] A squalid field, as if “ex-cultivated,” because it has now gone out from cultivation; just as an ex-consul, because he has departed from the consulship.

[14] Vliginosus ager est semper uvidus. Nam humidus dicitur qui aliquando siccatur. Vligo enim humor terrae est naturalis, ab ea numquam recedens.

[14] An uliginous field is always wet. For “humid” is said of that which at some time dries out. For uligo is the earth’s natural moisture, never departing from it.

[15] Subseciva sunt proprie quae sutor de materia praecidens quasi supervacua abicit. Inde et subsiciva, agri quos in pertica divisos recusant quasi steriles vel palustres. Item subseciva quae in divisura agri non efficiunt centuriam, id est iugera ducenta.

[15] Subseciva are properly the pieces which a shoemaker, cutting off from the material, throws away as, as it were, superfluous. Thence also subsiciva: lands which, when divided by the perch (measuring-rod), are rejected as, as it were, sterile or palustrine. Likewise subseciva are those which in the partition of a field do not make up a centuria, that is two hundred iugera.

[16] Area dicitur tabularum aequalitas. Dicta autem area a planitie atque aequalitate; unde et ara. Alii aream vocatam dicunt quod pro triturandis frugibus eradatur, vel quod non triturentur in ea nisi arida.

[16] Area is called the evenness of boards. The area is so named from flatness and evenness; whence also “altar.” Others say it is called area because it is scraped (erased) for the triturating (threshing) of grains, or because things are not threshed in it unless they are dry.

[17] Pratum est cuius feni copia armenta tuentur, cui veteres Romani nomen indiderunt ab eo quod protinus sit paratum, nec magnum laborem culturae desideret. Prata autem esse quae secari possunt.

[17] A meadow is that by the abundance of whose hay the herds are sustained, to which the ancient Romans assigned the name from the fact that it is at once prepared, nor does it require great labor of cultivation. Meadows, moreover, are those which can be cut.

[18] Paludes dictae a Pale pastorali dea, quod paleam, id est pabula, nutriant iumentorum.

[18] Marshes are said to be named from Pales, the pastoral goddess, because they nurture palea, that is, fodder, for beasts of burden.

XIV. DE FINIBVS AGRORVM.

14. ON THE BOUNDARIES OF FIELDS.

[1] Fines dicti eo quod agri funiculis sint divisi. Mensurarum enim lineae in terrarum partitione tenduntur ut dimensionis aequalitas teneatur.

[1] Boundaries are so called because fields are divided by little cords. For lines of measurement are stretched in the partition of lands, so that the equality of dimension may be maintained.

[2] Limites appellati antiquo verbo transversi, nam transversa omnia antiqui lima dicebant; a quo et limina ostiorum, per quae foris vel intus itur, et limites, quod per eos in agros foris eatur. Hinc et limus vocabulum accepit, cingulum quo servi publici cingebantur obliqua purpura.

[2] The limits were called, by an ancient word, “transverse,” for the ancients called all crosswise things “lima”; whence also the thresholds of doorways, through which one goes out or in, and the limits, because through them one goes out into the fields. Hence too “limus” received its name, the girdle with which public slaves were girded, with oblique purple.

[3] Termini dicti quod terrae mensuras distinguunt atque declarant. His enim testimonia finium intelleguntur, et agrorum intentio et certamen aufertur.

[3] Termini are so called because they distinguish and declare the measures of the land. For by these the testimonies of the boundaries are understood, and the claim and contest over fields is removed.

[4] Limites maximi in agris duo sunt: cardo et decumanus. Cardo, qui a septentrione directus a cardine caeli est; nam sine dubio caelum vertitur in septentrionali orbe. Decumanus est qui ab oriente in occidentem per transversum dirigitur, qui pro eo quod formam X faciat decumanus est appellatus.

[4] The greatest limits in the fields are two: the cardo and the decumanus. The cardo, which is directed from the north from the hinge of the sky; for without doubt the sky is turned on the northern orb. The decumanus is that which is directed transversely from the east into the west, which, because it makes the form of an X, is called the decumanus.

Ager enim bis divisus figuram denarii numeri efficit.

For the field, divided twice, makes the figure of the number 10.

[5] Arca ab arcendo vocata: fines enim agri custodit eosque adire prohibet. Trifinium dictum eo quod trium possessionum fines adstringit. Hinc et quadrifinium, quod quattuor.

[5] Arca, named from warding off: for it guards the boundaries of a field and forbids people to approach them. Trifinium is so called because it binds the boundaries of three possessions. Hence also quadrifinium, because four.

Reliqui limites angustiores et inter se distant inparibus intervallis et nominibus designatis.

The remaining limits are narrower and are distant from each other at unequal intervals, with designated names.

XV. DE MENSVRIS AGRORVM.

15. ON THE MEASURES OF FIELDS.

[1] Mensura est quidquid pondere, capacitate, longitudine, altitudine, latitudine, animoque finitur. Maiores itaque orbem in partibus, partes in provinciis, provincias in regionibus, regiones in locis, loca in territoriis, territoria in agris, agros in centuriis, centurias in iugeribus, iugera in climatibus, deinde climata in actus, perticas, passus, gradus, cubitos, pedes, palmos, uncias et digitos dividerunt; tanta enim fuit illorum sollertia.

[1] Measure is whatever is bounded by weight, capacity, length, height, breadth, and by the mind. The Ancients therefore divided the orb into parts, the parts into provinces, the provinces into regions, the regions into places, the places into territories, the territories into fields, the fields into centuries (centuriae), the centuries into iugera, the iugera into climes, and then the climes into actus, perches (perticae), paces (passus), steps (gradus), cubits, feet, palms, inches (unciae), and fingers (digiti); for so great was their sagacity.

[2] Digitus est pars minima agrestium mensurarum. Inde uncia habens digitos tres. Palmus autem quattuor digitos habet, pes sedecim, passus pedes quinque, pertica passus duos, id est pedes decem.

[2] The digit is the smallest part of rustic measures. Then the uncia (ounce), having three digits. The palm, moreover, has four digits; the foot, sixteen; a pace, five feet; a perch two paces, that is, ten feet.

[3] Pertica autem a portando dicta, quasi portica. Omnes enim praecedentes mensurae in corpore sunt, ut palmus, pes, passus, et reliqua; sola pertica portatur. Est enim decem pedum ad instar calami in Ezechielo templum mensurantis.

[3] The perch (pertica), however, is said to be from carrying (portando), as if “portica.” For all the preceding measures are in the body, such as the palm, foot, pace, and the rest; the perch alone is carried. For it is ten feet, after the likeness of the reed in Ezekiel measuring the temple.

[4] Actus minimus est, latitudine pedum quattuor, longitudine centum viginti. Climata quoque undiqueversum pedes habent sexaginta, ita (sequitur figura). Actus quadratus undique finitur pedibus centum viginti, ita (seq. fig.). Hunc Baetici arapennem dicunt, ab arando scilicet.

[4] The smallest actus is four feet in breadth, one hundred and twenty in length. The climata likewise have sixty feet all around, thus (the figure follows). A square actus is bounded on every side by one hundred and twenty feet, thus (fig. follows). The Baetici call this an arapenne, from plowing, that is to say.

[5] Actus duplicatus iugerum facit; ab eo quod est iunctum iugeri nomen accepit. Iugerum autem constat longitudine pedum ducentorum quadraginta, latitudine centum viginti, ita (seq. fig.). Actum provinciae Baeticae rustici acnuam vocant.

[5] A doubled actus makes a iugerum; from that which is joined (iunctum) it received the name of the iugerum. Moreover, the iugerum consists of a length of 240 feet, a width of 120, thus (seq. fig.). The rustics of the province of Baetica call the actus acnua.

[6] Porcam idem Baetici triginta pedum latitudine et octuaginta longitudine definiunt (seq. fig.).Sed porca est quod in arando extat; quod defossum est, lira. Galli candetum appellant in areis urbanis spatium centum pedum, quasi centetum.

[6] The same Baeticans define a porca by a width of thirty feet and a length of eighty (seq. fig.).But a porca is that which projects in plowing; that which is dug in is a lira. The Gauls call candetum, in urban areas, a space of one hundred feet, as though “centetum”.

In agrestibus autem pedes centum quinquaginta quadratum iustum candetum vocant. Porro stadialis ager habet passus CXXV, id est pedes DCXXV; cuius mensura octies conputata, miliarium facit, qui constat quinque milia pedibus.

In the countryside, moreover, they call a proper square of 150 feet a candetum. Furthermore, a stadial field has 125 paces, that is 625 feet; and its measure, computed eight times, makes a milestone (miliarium), which consists of five thousand feet.

[7] Centuria autem ager est ducentorum iugerum, qui apud antiquos a centum iugeribus vocabatur, sed postea duplicata est nomenque pristinum retinuit. In numero enim centuriae multiplicatae sunt, nomen mutare non potuerunt.

[7] The centuria, however, is a field of 200 iugera, which among the ancients was named from 100 iugera, but afterwards it was doubled and retained its pristine name. For in number the centuriae were multiplied; they could not change the name.

XVI. DE ITINERIBVS.

16. ON JOURNEYS.

[1] Mensuras viarum nos miliaria dicimus, Graeci stadia, Galli leugas, Aegypti schoenos, Persae parasangas. Sunt autem proprio quaeque spatio.

[1] We call the measures of roads miles, the Greeks stadia, the Gauls leagues, the Egyptians schoeni, the Persians parasangs. Moreover, each has its own proper span.

[2] Miliarium mille passibus terminatur; et dictum miliarium quasi mille adium, habens pedes quinque milia.

[2] A mile is bounded by one thousand paces; and it is called a mile as if “a thousand of paces,” having five thousand feet.

[3] Leuga finitur passibus mille quingentis. Stadium octava pars miliarii est, constans passibus centum viginti quinque. Hunc primum Herculem statuisse dicunt, eumque eo spatio determinasse quod ipse sub uno spiritu confecisset, ac proinde stadium appellasse quoniam in fine respirasset simulque et stetisset.

[3] The leuga is limited at one thousand five hundred paces. A stadium is the eighth part of a mile, consisting of one hundred twenty-five paces. They say Hercules first established this, and that he defined it by that span which he himself had completed under one breath, and accordingly called it a stadium because at the end he had breathed again and at the same time had stood still.

[4] Via est qua potest ire vehiculum; et via dicta a vehiculorum incursu. Nam duos actus capit, propter euntium et venientium vehiculorum occursum.

[4] A road is that along which a vehicle can go; and it is called a “road” from the incursion of vehicles. For it accommodates two actus, on account of the meeting of vehicles going and coming.

[5] Omnis autem via aut publica est aut privata. Publica est quae in solo publico est, qua iter, actus populo patet. Haec aut ad mare aut ad oppida pertinet.

[5] Every road, moreover, is either public or private. A public road is that which is on public soil, along which passage and driving are open to the people. This pertains either to the sea or to towns.

Privata est quae vicino municipio data est.

Private is that which has been granted to a neighboring municipality.

[6] Strata dicta quasi vulgi pedibus trita. Lucretius (1,315):

[6] Strata is said as if worn by the feet of the common crowd. Lucretius (1,315):

Strataque iam vulgi pedibus detrita viarum.

And the strata of the roads already worn away by the crowd’s feet.

Ipsa est et delapidata, id est lapidibus strata. Primi autem Poeni dicuntur lapidibus vias stravisse; postea Romani eas per omnem pene orbem disposuerunt, propter rectitudinem itinerum et ne plebs esset otiosa.

It itself is also “delapidated,” that is, paved with stones. But the Poeni (Phoenicians) are said to have been the first to have paved roads with stones; afterwards the Romans disposed them throughout almost the whole world, on account of the straightness of the routes and so that the plebs might not be idle.

[7] Agger est media stratae eminentia coaggeratis lapidibus strata, ab aggere, id est coacervatione dicta; quam historici viam militarem dicunt, ut (Virg. Aen. 5,273):

[7] An agger is the middle eminence of the paved way, paved with stones co-aggregated, called from agger, that is, a coacervation; which the historians call a military road, as (Virg. Aen. 5,273):

Qualis saepe viae deprensus in aggere serpens.

Like a serpent often caught on the road’s embankment.

[8] Iter vel itus est via qua iri ab homine quaquaversum potest. Iter autem et itiner diversam significationem habent. Iter [enim] est locus transitu facilis; unde appellamus et itum.

[8] A journey (iter) or a going (itus) is a way by which a human can go every which way. But iter and itiner have different signification. For iter is a place easy for transit; whence we also call it an itus.

Itiner autem est itus longae viae, et ipse labor ambulandi ut quo velis pervenias.

However, a journey is the going of a long road, and the labor itself of ambulation, so that you may arrive whither you wish.

[9] Semita itineris dimidium est, a semiitu dicta. Semita autem hominum est, calles ferarum et pecudum.

[9] A footpath (semita) is half of a going/journey, named from “semi-itus.” But semita is for humans; calles are for wild beasts and cattle.

[10] Callis est iter pecudum inter montes angustum et tritum, a callo pedum vocatum, sive a callo pecudum praeduratum. Tramites sunt transversa in agris itinera, sive recta via, dicta quod transmittat.

[10] A callis is the path of cattle between mountains, narrow and well-trodden, named from the callus of feet, or made very hard by the callus of the beasts. Tramites are transverse roads in the fields, or a straight way, so called because it transmits across.

[11] Divortia sunt flexus viarum, hoc est viae in diversa tendentes. Idem diverticula sunt, hoc est diversae ac divisae viae, sive semitae transversae quae sunt a latere viae.

[11] Divortia are the forkings of roads, that is, ways tending in different directions. The same are diverticula, that is, diverse and divided ways, or transverse footpaths which are from the side of the road.

[12] Bivium, quia duplex est via. Conpeta, quia plures in ea conpetunt viae, quasi triviae, quadriviae. Ambitus inter vicinorum aedificia locus, duorum pedum et semipedis ad circumeundi facultatem relictus, et ab ambulando dictus.

[12] Bivium, because it is a double way. Conpeta, because several ways meet in it, as if “trivia” and “quadrivia.” Ambitus, a place between the neighboring buildings, of two feet and a half-foot left for the faculty of going around, and named from walking.

[13] Orbita vestigium carri, ab orbe rotae dicta. Porro actus, quo pecus agi solet. Clivosum iter flexuosum.

[13] The orbit (rut) is the track of a cart, so called from the orb of the wheel. Furthermore, an actus is that by which cattle are usually driven. A sloping way is flexuous.

Vestigia sunt pedum signa primis plantis expressa, vocata quod his viae praecurrentium investigentur, id est agnoscantur.

Footprints are signs of feet imprinted by the first steps, so called because by them the ways of those running ahead are investigated, that is, recognized.