and to ascertain if some new supply could not be obtained. This led to the construction of the Aqua Marcia, of which Pliny thus speaks :

" Of all the waters in the world, that which we call the Marcia, in Rome, carrieth the greatest name by the general voice of its citizens, in regard both to its coldness and salubrity, and we may esteem this water for one of the greatest gifts the gods have bestowed on our city."

To accomplish this work a sum of mille et octlgenties sestertium, or, in our money, $3,210,000 was decreed to Marcius, and as the time of his prefecture was too short to bring so stupendous an undertaking to its termination, it was renewed to him from year to year. While the aqueduct was in progress, the Decemvirs, having occasion in relation to other matters, to consult the Sybilline books, ascertained that it was not the Marcian water, but the Anio, that should be conducted to the Capitol but Marcius persisted, notwithstanding, and after three years delay, the Marcian water was earned thither. The sum appropriated could not have sufficed for finishing this vast undertaking but we are left in

darkness as to the farther means applied to it.

* t Burgess, vol. p. 328. Burgess, Antiquities of Rome, vol ii., p. 327. ii,,

PRELIMINARY ESSAY. 15

This water, the most wholesome of any conveyed to Rome, was drawn from springs, in the neighborhood of Subiaco, on the Anio, 20 miles above Tivoli, in the mountains. These sources were 36 miles from Rome, on the Yia Valeria. The whole length of its course was 60 miles and 710 paces, of which 54 miles 247 paces were subterraneous, the restbeing carried over arches as it approached the city. It is the remains* of these arches which produce such a striking effect in the Campagna.