MELODU´NUM
MELODU´NUM (
Melun), a town of the Senones in Gallia (
B. G. 7.58), on an island in the Sequana (
Seine). Though the termination
dun seems originally to have signified a hill or height, it became a part of the name of some towns, which like Melodunum were not situated on any elevation.
In the Antonine Itinerary Melodunum appears under the name Mecletum, and in the Table in the form Meteglum.
The distance from Lutetia in the Itins. is 17 or 18 Gallic leagues. From Melodunum to Condate (
Montereau-sur-Yonne) is 15 Gallic leagues [
CONDATE No. 2].
The old Celtic town on the island was replaced by a castle, of which there are some remains.
The present town of
Melun is on the right bank of the
Seine, about 28 miles from
Paris by the road.
In the text of Caesar (
Caes. Gal. 7.58) there is a reading “qui Metiosedo,” where the common reading is “qui a Meloduno.” The same variation occurs in 100.60; and in 100.61 “Metiosedum versus” appears to be the received reading.
A careful study of Caesar will satisfy any person that
Melun is meant in all these passages, whether the true reading in Caesar's text is Melodunum, Metiosedum, or something else. Melodunum comes nearest to the modern form. Walckenaer places Metiosedum at the confluence of the
Seine and
Marne. The variety in the reading of this name appears also in the Itins., as shown above.
The stratagem of Labienus on the
Seine (
B. G. 7.58, &c.) is explained in the article LUTETIA.
[
G.L]
