FORUM APPII
Eth.
FORUM APPII (
Φόρον Ἀππίου: Eth.
Foroappiensis), a town on the Appian Way, distant 43 miles from Rome. We learn from Horace that it was the usual resting-place for travellers at the end of the first day's journey from Rome, though he himself and his companion thought fit to divide the distance. (
Sat. 1.5. 3--6.)
It was here, also, that it was customary for travellers on the Appian Way to embark on a canal that extended from thence parallel with the line of road to the immediate neighbourhood of Tarracina. (Hor.
l.c.; Strab. v. p.233.) Hence it became, as Horace describes it, a town of boatmen and innkeepers,--“Differtum nautis cauponibus atque malignis.”
It is mentioned also by Cicero (
Cic. Att. 2.10), as well as in the journey of St. Paul to Rome (
Act. Apost. 28.15), as one of the usual halting-places on the Appian Way: on both occasions in conjunction with Tres Tabernae, which was the next stage in going to Rome, ten miles nearer the city (
Itin. Ant. p. 107;
Itin. Hier. p. 611). Its situation, in the midst of the marshes, sufficiently accounts for the badness of the water complained of by Horace.
It is probable from its name that Forum Appii was founded by Appius Claudius Caecus, who first constructed the celebrated road which so long bore his name; and the place appears to have always continued under the patronage of his family. (
Suet. Tib. 2.)
It seems to have grown up into a considerable town, which, under the Roman empire, enjoyed municipal privileges, and is mentioned by Pliny among the municipal towns of Latium. (
Plin. Nat. 3.5. s. 9.; Orell.
Inscr. 780.)
There are now no inhabitants on the spot; but the site is clearly marked by considerable ruins on each side of the Appian Way, as well as by the 43rd milestone, which is still preserved, at a spot distant four miles from the place still called
Treponti, the ancient Tripontium or Tripuntium. (Chaupy,
Maison d'Horace, vol. iii. pp. 387--452; Pratilli,
Via Appia, pp. 99,100.) [
VIA APPIA]
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E.H.B]
