Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-08-12
ANCIENT ROME.
Il. WHIrNl ORE.
Publisher and Proprietor.

The CIOaca MaximR. the MamertfDe
Prison, the Pantheon and Ihe
Baths Of CRracalla.
The magnitude and strength of
Ancient Rome can be best realized
in the presence Of such works as
the Cloaca Maxima and Mamertine
Prision, constructed six centuries
before the Christian era. There is
also, at the mouth or outlet of the
Cloaca Maxima, on the left bank Of
the Tiber, the remains Of a quay
built about the same time. 1t was
used for landing the huge blocks
of marble used in the building Of
the palaces of the early rulers Of |
the city. The Oloaca Maxima is
built in the massive style Of the
Etruscans; large blocks of lava are
laid in courses, and the solidity Of
the work is amply verified by its
immunity from the effects Of earth
quake and natural decay.
There is no object Of antiquity
more suggestive of the skill and
wisdom of its projectors than this
is. 1t performs the same functions
now, and in as complete manner,
as it did twenty four hundred years
ago. Volumes Of water continue to
find their way into the Tiber
through it, just the same as when
Imperial Rome was at the apex Of
power. All the increased demands
on its capabilities, arising from in
creased population and other causes,
have been fully met. Its capabili-
ties have fulfilled every require
ment.
The Mamertine prison is also
rendered interesting from its high
antiquity. 1t is referred to by
Juyenal, when he describes the
happy state of Rome; he proudly
states that it was the only prison
required. The chambers are placed
one over the other, the under one
being of an arched form, and the
only means of ingress OF egress
, consisting of an aperture in the
center of the roof, through which
3 the unhappy victims doomed tC
darksome solitude were thrown.
On looking down into the dark
Q ness the significance of the tern
!. "St. Peter was cast into prison
! occurs with a distinctness which
/. can be found in no other place. II
y fact among the numerous Legend
surrounding this prison is one tC
the effect that the Apostle Peter wa
actually confined in the lower cell
( and mark on the rock is pointe'
out and is asserted TO be the i'm
preston caused by his head eomini
:. in contact with it when he wa
- "cast into prison"
5, When we stand before the Pan
4. theon we are enabled to realize tn
+ complete embodiment Of ancien
to thought. Dedicated not to one
o. but to all the dieties of classic my
mt thology, we expect to find expires
ms ed here the very highest forms an
he he types Of art. Nor are we disal
les les pointed. On entering this buildin
hSS The wonderful harmony Of its prC
% portions produces deep impre
edS ed sion, and It's present aspect rende
M it difficult to conceive the fact
ia its remote antiquity.
5s Eg' The beautiful bronze work vii
rE, which the panels of the ceilir
i were at one time enriched, ha
been removed, and being recai
now constitute the celebrated bai
e.: the achiao which stands under Il
ies' dome Of 81. Peters, The temple
in the shape Of a retunda, the ce
InO ing being formed by a dome of L
most elegant proportions, in y
,nt apex Of which there is a ciroul
'. aperture tweaty-eight feet in dian
== eter. This is the only source
which light is admitted; but bei
- uncovered and open to the heayel
4 It also admits the heavy rains
culiar to Southern Italy.
Consequently, the floor at tin
}. assumes the appearance OF o min
ture lake. The pavement is form
of porpbry, laid in alternate squa
~ with yariously colored marbl
our There is slight fall toward
confer. in which there is placed