Gilpin observer., 1915-09-23

oldest and most historic high
ways in the world. 1t is the
great gateway through the
Eastern Alps, connecting Cen
trail Europe with Italy. For over two
thousand years the tide of conquest
and commerce has surged through
here. Through the Brenner the Cim-
bri came, in the great onslaught on the
Roman republic, and it was the Bren-
ner that re-echoed to the tramp of
Attila and his Huns when they poured
down upon the Roman empire.
Throughout the middle ages the Bren-
ner saw innumerable armies passing
to the conquest of the South; and it
saw many Of them return with their
banners dropping and torn. So writes
DR.. James Murphy in Country Life.
A little over a hundred years ago
the soldiers of Napoleon came up from
Italy through the Brenner; but the
Tyrolese met them at Sterling and
the pass was drenched in blood. The
memories of that fight are still living
in Tyrol, but they must soon give
way before the grim reality of the
today. For once again the Brenner
is called upon either to guard Italy or
give 1t over to Teutonic sway.
The first uses of the Brenner are
lost in the twilight of history. 1t is
certain that it was a highway for the
Romans as early as 300 B. c., but 1t
did not come into great prominence
in Roman history until the end Of
the second century before Christ. The
story Of the part it played in the great
fight between the Cimbri and the
Romans gives the key to the whole
meaning that lies behind the Italian
campaign today.
Where cimbri Whipped Romans.
From their dark German forests the
Cimbri came down upon Italy through
the Brenner. The Roman troops met
them at the mouth of the pass and
fierce battle took place little north
Of the modern Ala. Down the slopes,
tobogganing on the huge shields, came
the big, brawny, skin-clad savages.
Rome had never before met such war
riors or such strange weapons. The
mountains seemed to pour them forth
in interminable streams, and the le-
gions of the republic broke before
them. On to the conquest of Venice
the northern hordes swept; but they
were met by Roman re-enforcements
on the upper bank of the Pc and
driven back to their mountain fast
nessep That was in B. C. 101.
The empire knew that these hordes
were every day gathering stronger
in the Alps, and 1t lived in daily fear
of them for over a generation. Then
Augustus decided to force the invad-
ers back into the Danube valley and
establish the military barriers Of
Rome as far as the heights of the
Eastern Alps. Augustus planned the
campaign and 1t was carried out by
his sons, Tiberius and Drusus.
Great Commercial Highway.
The soldiers of the empire won the
| day. In commemoration OF the victory
| the Pons Drusus was built across the
| Adige at the mouth of the Brenner
gorge. The town of Bozen stands on
the spot today. Once conquered. the
mountain tribes settled down and be-
Cdule BOOu CitiAChp Vi fNohhC. ho
Emperor Claudius. son of Drusus. built
the Via Claudia through the pass. and
| in the main the modern Brenner road
| follows the line of the old Roman high
way. From the moment 1t was opened
the Brenner became the favorite COM
mercial highway between Italy and
Central Europe. Through 1t the wines
and fruits of the south were carried
into Germany, while the hides and
cheese and butter and wood of the
Danubian plain we're welcomed on the
other side of the Alps. But salt was
| the main article of trade brought
south. 1t came from the great mines
at Hall, which are still in operation,
and are said to contain sufficient sa-
line rock to keep UP the normal output
| for another thousand years.
As the traveller leaves the saddle OF
the pass and trudses on southwards
| the whole character OF the surround
ings begins to change. He is coming
into Latin territory and moving among
Latin folk The language changes,
first to dialect of the old Roman
tongue and then to the lingua liquida