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led firstly to the ruins which surround the declivity and base of the hill; nextly, the site, quite appropriate to such purposes, which still bears the names of place and street of the Hot Baths, (Largo and Rua das Caldas); immediately after which, westward, every trace is destroyed by the regular streets, erected under the direction of the Grand Marquis of Pombal, after the dreadful earthquake of 1755; on digging the foundation of which, many fragments and some coins were found. A small distance northward is a convent, built on very ancient walls, named after Camillus, (Convento dos Camillos,) which which would not require the extreme of antiquarian enthusiasm to conceive a residence of the second Romulus during his banishment from Rome. Immediately adjacent is the large market for vegetables and fruit, so distant from any other as to render it easily conceived to have been the Roman Forum Olitorium.

However, as to the ruins mentioned I can now speak with greater certainty from the labours of an intelligent and learned Portuguese antiquary, Senhor Luiz Antonio de Azevedo, who attended the excavation of part of them for the purpose of forming a new street, (Rua Nova de Smamede,) in the year 1798.

The appearance of these ruins as excavated, as well as the depth of earth in which they were buried, convinced this antiquary that they had not been caused by any of the means before mentioned, but by one of those convulsions of the earth that have so often occurred in this country, and which had at once buried for ages the edifice or edifices of which, after long and patient attention, he found sufficient to compose all the leading features of a Greek and Roman theatre.

What he endeavoured to restore with great industry, and sketch with truth, consists of the grades or seats of the platea, and the orchestra; a raised part, intermingled or cased with marble, alternately shaped in quadrangles or semicircles, which formed the proscenium; on the face of which was an inscription in letters of iron, in honour of Nero. Towards each end were two marble statues of Silenus, one better preserved than the other; a few columns and capitals of the Ionic order; several stones with inscriptions, and ornamental fragments, form the remaining results of Senhor Azevedo's investigation.

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The inscriptions he has preserved : they refer first to a dedication of the theatre to Nero; and nextly, memorials of its favourers, and those who assisted in ornamenting it.

He, with great probability, conceives the existence of these ruins to have been hitherto unknown, from finding nothing concerning them in the works of the elder antiquaries-Resende, Brito, Cunha, Marinho, Vasconcellos, Cardoso, &c. who have described the most imperfect inscriptions discovered in the very same line, and in the eastern vicinity. He also well conceives that the earthquake which precipitated the theatre, involved the streets which were above it on the hill, and a large portion of the land, which thus deeply covered it. Of his hypotheses, concerning which of the earthquakes that have been recorded caused the destruction, I should think the most probable is that of 1356, which destroyed the neighbouring Capella Maior of the cathedral, as it appears to this day.

This circumstance respecting the cathedral of Lisbon, which still exhibits curious remains, Roman, Moorish, and Gothic, seemingly involved in the common ruin, unless as grotesquely repaired, partly by ancient, partly by modern hands, naturally led me to another object, and the records of earlier antiquaries, all of whom are decided on this having been the site of a temple of Minerva. Such hence appears to have been, as in other countries, the foundation of the present Basilique of St. Mary, denominated from the former archbishopric that of the See.

This metropolitan church is southward a very small degree lower on the declivity of the castle hill, still a most appropriate spot; and near its site were found fragments of inscriptions, which induced Brito and the Coimbra antiquaries to determine that Cato, after subduing the citerior province of Spain, passed to the ulterior Portugal, when he appeared to have altered his conduct in Spain in respect to the people, and to have conciliated them. The first bears simply, as far as I understand it to be made out,

M. PORTIVS. M.F. M.N. CATO.

which is plain enough. But the authors who preserve it will have that it commemorates his having here sacri ficed to Minerva, certainly no impro

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and is supposed, on supplying the defects, to have been the base of a statue erected to Cato by the Lusitanian people, for his singular munificence towards them.

Another to the same distinguished person, was found in the plain of Cintra, where it is supposed he visited the temple of the Sun and Moon on the serra, to the same effect; and he subsequently appears to have deserved it, according to Marinha, from the opposite character of his successors. Having mentioned Cintra, which, from this circumstance, was in all probability a summer camp of the Romans, another inscription should be mentioned, preserved at the lovely Colares in its neighbourhood, in which Septimus Severus is mentioned with others: and also one at Carvoeiera, northwards, which, serving as an altar to the Hermitage Chapel, has preserved its inscription perfect. It is, however, but monumental, consecrated to the deities (or souls) of the defunct named:

DIS. MANIBUS.

Q. GAI. C. III. 2. 1. GAL. CAL. C. III.
AN. J. AEDILIS. AN. XXXX.

M. GAL C. J. O. 1. GAL. AVIII. AN. XVII.
JULIA. M. E. MARCILIA. MARIO.

OPERIMO. 11. O. PIISSIMO. DE. SUO. FECIT.

From Carvoeiera one would like to proceed to Torres Vedras, the Turres Veteres of the Romans, but here is nothing but rude weather-beaten stones, overgrown with grass, as are things of later date the lines for the defence of Lisbon, of the immortal Wellington.

From this extent of the suburbs of the Roman city, to return to its site, are found more eastward, on the same line as the Temple, the Amphitheatre, and the Baths, inscriptions belonging to statues erected by the people of Ulyssipone, the felix Julia-happy and fortunate Lisbon. Near the church of St. Martin had been erected one to the Empress of Adrian, who preferred, to her husband's dislike, to open a vein

and die! Rutilius and Verus, who dedicated it, appear to have governed there at the time, since it was without the license of the Roman law, the defect of which subjected even native magistrates to infamy and pecuniary penalty.

On the opposite side of the same way appears to have stood a statue of Commodus. The inscription on the

base was affixed to a house near the Pedras-negras, and is as follows:

IMP. CAES. IMPER.

M. AUREL. F. ANTONIN.
AUG. DIV. PII. NEP. DIVI,
HAD. PRON. DIVI.
TRAI. PARTHII. ABNEP.
L. AURELIO COMMODO.
AUG. GERM. SARM.
FEL. JUL. OLIS. PER 2.
COELI.

VM. CASSIANVM. ET.

M. FABRI.

VM. TUSCUM III. VIR.

This has some connexion with a monument in the church of Madelina, and was also erected by Roman Magistrates.

The remains of an inscription to Claudius, on red speckled marble, form the pedestals of a tomb in the church of St. Thomas.

Extending south and eastward to the fountain called Chafariz del Rey, was found an ancient memorial, chiefly curious from being in the third century of the Christian era, when they omitted the epithet “divine," and its being inscribed to Philip, the murderer of Gordian, who received the same fate himself, but according to the Partuguese antiquaries, as well as Eusebius, &c. had it dignified by the title of martyrdom, and was hence honoured equally in Spain. It forms also a singular contrast with the honours before paid to Nero (as exhibited at Clunia), for clearing the land of the "thieves' of the Roman faith, who endeavoured to introduce to the human race the new superstition of Christianity!

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On this part the Roman city is understood to have extended nearly to the present noble convent of S. Vicente de fora, which as its adjunct expresses was without the wall. This from many evidences was Roman. One would not like to suppose it a Campus Sceleratus. The suburbs, however, were every-where marked by their remains to the river Saccavem castwards, where they had a bridge

1832.1

Roman Remains at Lisbon.

at the extremity of its mouth; the permanent relics of which are yet to be seen at low water; though according to Dolande it was decayed as early as 1570.

As in Rome, so in the provinces, the edifices consecrated to Ethnic mythology, having been very generally succeeded in their occupation by the offices of Christianity; probably from

the easiness of the transition from the fabled deities of the one to the canonizations of the other, under the facilitating principle of St. Gregory towards the Britons; such is believed by antiquaries to have been the case with the convent just mentioned, though latterly without the wall, as well as the temple of Minerva and others.

However this was, it seems certain that in the outskirts of St. Vicente there had been a statue erected by the senate of Lisbon to Vespasian, the inscription of which was placed in a garden (another mode of preservation by some persons of taste), and thus tolerably preserved: it hardly deserves further recital.

IMP. CAESARI. VESPASIANO.
AUG. PONT. MAX. TRIB. PO.
1111. IMP. X. PP. CON. III. DIE.
V. CENSORI. DI SIGN, ANN. IIII.
IMPERII, EIVS. FELICITAS. IV.

There are also sepulchral monuments at Santa Clara, beyond S. Vicente; and towards the bank of the river are many more ruins of ancient edifices, among which was found a monumental inscription, the elegance of which was supposed to mark the nobility of Caius Lusidius Rufus (who had erected it to his son Quintus Lusidius Proculeiano, aged 11 years), supposed to be the celebrated Captain of Trajan,

But this is nothing to the importance which tradition and certain reliques have conferred upon Chelas. In spite of the difficulties raised concerning the position of such institutions in Rome, and other circumstances, this valley is maintained to be the site of a temple of Vesta. The first testimony that is offered is that of a Portuguese inscription on marble in the chapel of St. Adrian, which announces, among other things, that the convent of Chelas was a house of Vestals, before the coming of our Lord, as is to be seen from vestiges of stones, and the mo nament of Julia Flaminea, and was

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of Vestals with an urn of perpetual fire," &c.

These vestiges are as follow: in a part of the ancient cloister is preserved a quadrangular stone of the finest alabaster, which is called the Urn of Vestal fire (a urna do fogo Vestal); it is much destroyed by time, but still in its peculiar formation is exactly of the character exhibited on some Roman medals. In the same place is preserved a table of marble much defaced, but on which can be traced six figures, which, from what is found in history of their attire and mode of sacrifice, are assumed to represent the Vestal Virgins. Here are also columns of different stones, between which are figures in relief of Pallas, Minerva, and other deities, which are also supposed to have formed part of the temple. On digging in this cloister other objects of great antiquity were found, but not of a nature applicable to the point in question.

In the church of the monastery of Chelas, was discovered, on the 23d of June 1703, on some repairs near the high altar, among other ancient remains a stone, on which could be made out

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JVLIA. Q. F.P.y. Q. JVLIVS. Q.F.C. SEVERUS.

H. S. SYNT.

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This the Portuguese antiquaries have translated as marking the sepulture of Julia Flaminea, Vestal, daughter of Quintus; and of Quintus Julius, son of Quintus; and Caius Severus; more letters appear, but too much defaced for explanation; they are supposed to relate to other brothers. The tomb forms the altar of St. Adrian,

An estuary of the Tagus here, early caused the diversion of the direct road to Saccavem; the circuitous one has to this day the appearance of Roman, from its dark stones.

To return again; the high street of the Castle hill has all the grandeur of a Roman way, which remains open and undefaced by the Moors, while the descent quickly falls into their narrow confused domiciles, with successive deep flights of steps towards the river side, through gates bearing alternately Roman and Moorish names, as that of "Ferro" and Alfofa" to the King's Fountain, along the bank of

Tagus to the Arch of San Pedro and the gate of "the Sun," another intermixture of Moorish with Portuguese

names.

On this spot are still baths which bear marks of antiquity.

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Every where to the east and north are Čampos," similar to those of Rome, simply substituting in their appellatives the o for the u; and none bear a Roman name, unless Campolide (Campus litis) be so deemed. The Moors delighting only in minor strategy leave hardly a name to these, and the Portugueze have given to them chiefly their own; but they still remain in every way about both the ancient and modern city, the west as well as the east end of the town, for Lisbon like London has both.

I have already spoken of the aqueduct as equal in every respect to the description of those of Rome; it is built like them on an inclined plane, whence the water proceeding to its level issues forth through beautiful fountains in every direction. I had opportunities of applying to the archives of the persons of rank, to whom they are intrusted, as in ancient Rome; but even a plan of their subterraneous structure was unfinished, so that I cannot add to what I have stated at the outset, more than that no ancient nation could possibly surpass the Portugueze in their apparent reverence for water, if one may judge, besides their numerous eulogies, from their magnificent endeavours to preserve its purity. The southern entrance is at a short distance from the Tagus, beneath the fountain of Loretto, which (from being admirably surmounted by his statue) might well cope with that of Neptune at Rome.

Immediately on entering the passage, I was astonished by the beauty of the lengthened arch which presented itself, or rather arches, for to right and left, as they diverge to different quarters, it is the same. On each side of the passage are two narrow channels elevated about two feet; along one of which only ran the water, the purpose of the other being to act in its turn, whenever any sediment is deposited from the little stream, which at this time exhibited a slight ferruginous colour. The passage is wide enough for two persons to pass together, and the arch sufficiently high to realize, as before noticed, the statement of Procovius, of a man passing up it on horseback. The whole of the

exquisite Portuguese masonry in hard freestone, seemed as perfect and as clean as if erected yesterday, which, with the water brightly sparkling against the lights which were carried, appeared almost supernatural.

The whole is one of the creditable efforts of John V.; but that it is on the Roman model, if not partly on a Roman foundation, is certain. It is on record that the water for the supply of the ancient city, was concentrated within its walls; and as the Romans provided aqueducts in various provinces of Portugal, it is hardly to be supposed they would neglect the apparently fondled capital," happy Julia." It is stated by Marinho and others, that the waters of the old city did not extend to the modern Lisbon; as also that it had long been projected to bring the waters from Bellas, &c. to it; that the senate of Lisbon had, at the commencement of the 17th century, laid apart 70,000l. for that purpose, but which was wasted in fruitless rejoicings on the arrival in the city of Philip III. of Spain. I conceived I saw something of mere Roman remains about the valley of Alcantara, so famous under the Moors, over which pass the beautiful lofty arches so celebrated throughout Eu

rope.

It is impossible to ascertain the northern boundary of the Roman city. A vague idea only extends it to the Sete Castellos (Seven Castles); patches of roads from it appear in different places on this side, and cross the Cintra roads near an injured aqueduct, at about a league, as if directed to Colares, already mentioned. Others advance irregularly towards Torres Vedras.

Such is all which, with great industry and much love towards the subject, I could obtain for my gratification. If it shall assist or excite those who possess superior knowledge (which may easily be) and more leisure for further research, I shall be happy; for with the exception of the ardent Azeveda, and not excepting the talented Balbi, no modern writer has done so much for me. Excavation in the circuit of the castle of St. George would doubtless be fruitful in results, and might be easily effected; no less so at the sixteen eminent Roman stations in the provinces: but unhappily Portugal, full of attractions, seems destined to continue an alien from all the researches of peace. R. B. S.

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