CISPIUS MONS
the northern spur of the Esquiline, separated from the
Oppius on the south by the valley of the Subura, and from the Viminal
on the north by the corresponding depression through which ran the
vicus Patricius (Varro,
LL v. 50;
Gell. xv. 1. 2; Mon.
L. xv. 784-5).
The beginning of the Cispius, the point where it projected south-westward
from the plateau of the Esquiline is now marked by S. Maria Maggiore,
where the altitude is about 54 metres. The Cispius, the Oppius, and the
Fagutal were the three parts of the Esquiline, and constituted three of
the montes of the
SEPTIMONTIUM (q.v.) (Fest. 341, 348). According to
Varro (ap. Fest. 348) Cispius was a native of Anagni who came to
Rome in the reign of Tullus and guarded this hill (
Jord. i. 1. 183-188;
DE ii. 2161-2162).
