The New Student's Reference Work/Pontine Marshes

Pontine (pŏn′tĭn) Marshes, a low district forming the southern part of the Campagna of Rome and extending from Velletri southeast to the sea at Terracina. The length of the plain is about 28 miles, the breadth varying from 4 to 12 miles. The Appian Way was projected through this district in 312 B. C., and various plans were tried by the ancient Romans for draining the marshes, but with poor success. By the expenditure of some $2,000,000 Pope Pius VI during 1777-96 brought the Pontine marshes to their present state, in which a portion of the land is brought under cultivation, and other portions furnish pasture for horses, cattle and other animals. In 1899 the Italian government granted about 1½ million dollars for further drainage of the district.