Chap. IV.
ROMAN.
l<*5
At the Lake Fucinus is a similar work, of greater magnitude : Pliny says it was one of themost memorable of the time, and intended to drain the lake ; it was commenced byorder of the emperor Claudius : 30,000 men were employed for ten years, and it was
Fig. 225.
1ft
finished, after a vast expense, in the year a. n. 52. Rocks were pierced through, and manyhydraulic machines applied to draw oft” the water, which constantly obstructed the workmen.
Fig. 226. SECTION THROUGH SIDE.
When the canal was perfected through the mountain, a vast assembly of persons waspresent to witness the passage of the waters from the lake, and previous to their being con-ducted into the emissarium or great sewer, the emperor gave a vast naval spectacle orcombat. Narcissus, his freed-man, superintended, and he allowed the waters to rush withsuch impetuosity that much mischief was done: we are informed by Tacitus , that thewhole was oadiy conducted, and that the bed of the emissarium or canal was not sufficientlydeep to allow the water from the lower part of the lake to drain off; this was attemptedto be remedied under the reign of Nero , but the enterprise was abandoned before completed.
The masonry constructed at the mouth of the emissarium is very similar to that alreadydescribed: two staircases conduct to the platform below, in which are the conduits andsluices to let off the water ; the channels are lined with masonry in an admirable manner,and the arch is well executed.
The lake, situated in the country of the Marsi, at the north of the river Liris, is sur-rounded by a high ridge of mountains called Celano, which are said to be in circuit nearly50 miles ; but the water comprised within their boundary is not more than 10 or 12 feet indepth. Tacitus , Ann. lib. xii. cap. 56., gives a very interesting account of this work, andVirgil alludes to the lake (iEn. 7. v. 563.) as being well known: