previous next

POLLUSCA

POLLUSCA or POLUSCA (Πολούσκα: Eth. Πολυσκανός, Eth. Polluscinus: Casal della Mandria), a city of Latium, which appears in the early history of Rome inseparably connected with Longula and Corioli. Thus, in B.C. 493, we find the three places enumerated in succession as reduced by the arms of Postumus Cominius; and again in B.C. 488 all three were recovered by the Volscians under the command of Coriolanus. (Liv. 2.33, 39; Dionys. A. R. 6.91, 8.36.) No subsequent mention of Pollusca occurs, except that its name is found in Pliny, among the cities of Latium of which all trace had disappeared. (Plin. Nat. 3.5. s. 9.) As its name is there given among the places which had once shared in the sacrifices on the Alban Mount, it is probable that it was originally a Latin city, and had fallen into the hands of the Volscians; whence it is called, when first noticed in history, a Volscian city. Livy, indeed, appears to regard Longula and Pollusca as belonging to the Volsci Antiates, and therefore at that time mere dependencies of Antium. The position of Pollusca, as well as that of Longula, must be in great measure matter of conjecture, but the site suggested by Nibby, on a hill adjoining the Osteria di Civitá, about 22 miles from Rome, on the road to Porto d'Anzo, has at least a plausible claim to that distinction. The hill in question which is included in the farm of the Casal della Mandria, stands just at the bifurcation of the two roads that lead to Porto d'Anzo and to Conca: it was noticed by Sir W. Gell as the probable site of an ancient town, and suggested as one of those which might be selected for Corioli: if we place the latter city at Monte Giove, the site more generally adopted, Pollusca may very well have been at the Osteria di Cività; but the point is one which can never be determined with certainty. (Gell, Top, of Rome, p. 183; Nibby, Dintorni, vol. i. p. 402; Abeken, Mittel Italien p. 72.)

[E.H.B]

hide References (3 total)
  • Cross-references from this page (3):
    • Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia, 3.5
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 2, 33
    • Livy, The History of Rome, Book 2, 39
hide Display Preferences
Greek Display:
Arabic Display:
View by Default:
Browse Bar: