LAUSO´NIUS LACUS
LAUSO´NIUS LACUS in the country of the Helvetii. The Antonine Itin. has a road from Mediolanum (
Milan) through Geneva to Argentoratum (
Strassburg). Sixteen Roman miles from Geneva, on the road to
Strassburg, the Itin. has Equestris, which is Colonia Equestris or Noviodunum (
Nyon); and the next place is Lacus Lausonius, 20 Roman miles from Equestris. To the next station, Urba (Orbe), is 18 Roman miles.
In the Table the came is “Lacum Losonne,” and the distances from Geneva to Colonia Equestris and Lacum Losonne are respectively 18 M.P., or 36 together. The Lacus Lausonius is supposed to be
Lausanne, on the
Lake of Geneva; or rather a place or district, as D'Anville calls it, named
Vidi. The distance from Geneva to
Nyon, along the lake, is about 15 English miles; and from
Nyon to
Lausanne, about 22 or 23 miles.
The distance from Geneva to
Nyon is nearly exact; but the 20 miles from Equestris to the Lacus Lausonius is not enough. If
Vidi, which is west of
Lausanne, is assumed to be the place, the measures will agree better. D'Anville cites M. Bochat as authority for an inscription, with the name Lousonnenses, having been dug up at
Vidi, in 1739; and he adds that there are remains there. (Comp. Ukert's note,
Gallien, p. 491.)
[
G.L]
