Mela and Ptolemy, as well as in the Itinerary. (Mel. ii. 4; Ptol. iii. l. § 20; Itin. Ant. p. 313, but in p. 101 it is distincly called "Atero civitas.") From existing remains we learn that the ancient city occupied both banks of the river close to its mouth, which was converted by artificial works into a port. Some vestiges of these still remain, as well as the ruins of an ancient bridge. (Romanelli, vol iii. pp. 79—82.) The modern city of Pescaro, a very poor place, though a strong fortress, is situated wholly on the S. side of the river: it appears to have been already known by its modern appellation in the time of P. Diaconus, who mentions it under the name of Piscaria (ii. 21). ATERNUS (Άτερνος: Aterno), a considerable river of Central Italy, flowing into the Adriatic Sea between Adria and Ortona. Strabo correctly describes it (v. p. 241) as rising in the neighbourhood of Amiternum, and flowing through the territory of the Vestini: in this part of its course it has a SE. direction, but close to the site of Corfinium it turns abruptly at right angles, and pursues a NE, coarse from thence to the sea, which it enters just under the walls of Pescara. At its mouth was situated the town of Aternum, or, as it was sometimes called, "Aterni Ostia". In this latter part of its course, according to Strabo (l. c.), it formed the limit between the Vestini and Marrucini; and there is little doubt that this statement is correct, though Pliny and Mela extend the confines of the Frentani as far as the Aternus, and Ptolemy includes the mouths both of that river and the Matrinus in the territory of the Marrucini. (Plin. iii. 12. s. 17; Mela, ii. 4; Ptol. iii. I. § 20.) In the upper part of its course it flows through a broad and trough-like valley, bounded on each side by very lofty mountains, and itself elevated more than 2000 feet above the sea. The narrow gorge between two huge masses of mountains by which it escapes from tins upland valley, must have always formed one of the principal lines of communication in this part of Italy; though it was not till the reign of Claudius that the Via Valeria was carried along this line from Corfinium to the Adriatic. (Inscr. ap. Orell. 711.) Strabo mentions a bridge over the river 24 stadia (3 miles) from Corfinium, near the site of the modern town of Popoli; a point which must have always been of importance in a military point of view: hence we find Domitius during the Civil War (B.C. 49) occupying it with the hope of arresting the advance of Caesar. (Caes. B. C. i. 16.) The Aternus, in the upper part of its course, still retains its ancient name Aterno, but below Popoli is known only as the Fiume di Pescara — an appellation which it seems to have assumed as early as the seventh century, when we find it called "Piscarius fiuvius". (P. Diac. ii. 20.) It is one of the most considerable streams on the E. side of the Apennines, in respect of the volume of its waters, which are fed by numerous perennial and abundant sources.[ E. H. B. ]
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Maffei (Mus. Veron. p. 106; Orell. Inscr. 3110) proves that it was a municipal town of some Importance as early as B.C. 136, and that its territory adjoined that of Vicentia. The modern city of Este is famous for having given title to one of the most illustrious families of modern Europe; it is a considerable and flourishing place, but contains no ancient remains, except numerous inscriptions. These have been collected and published by the Abbate Furlanetto. (Padova, 1837, 8vo.) About 5 miles E. of Este is Monselice which is mentioned by Paulus Diaconus (iv. 26), under the name of Mons Silicis, as a strong fortress in the time of the Lombards; but the name is not found in any earlier writer.[ E. H. B. ]
1. Diades (Διάδες), a town in Boeotia, near the promontory Cenaeum, founded by the Athenians (Strab. x. p. 446), or according to Ephorus, by Dias, a son of Abas. (Steph. B. s. v.) 2. An ancient town of Boeotia, on the river Triton, and near the lake Copais, which, together with the neighbouring town of Eleusis, was destroyed by an inundation. (Strab. ix. p. 407; Paus. |
Page:Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography Volume I Part 1.djvu/270
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