Little Work on the Wonders of the New and Old City of Rome

...and other Christian princes: who indeed will all join together for such a holy and worthy expedition. Therefore, Most Blessed Father, I pray that you—as a second Julius A wordplay on the Pope's name, Julius II, and Julius Caesar., most unconquered—in your third triumph, of which it was written:

v. v. v. I came, I saw, I conquered

I came. I saw. I conquered. original: "Veni. Vidi. Vici." These are the famous words attributed to Julius Caesar after his swift victory at the Battle of Zela.

May Your Holiness be able to chant these same words in the triumph of the Cross of Christ. Indeed, how much merit, how much praise, and how much eternal glory before God and men is prepared for Your Holiness from this work, you yourself can more easily judge by your singular wisdom than it can be explained by any words. For my part, while we have the time, let us work for the good of the salvation of souls, to the praise and glory of Almighty God, who lives and reigns forever.

Preface.

When Rome was founded

The city of Rome, which is the head of all other cities, was founded in the seventh Olympiad An Olympiad was a four-year period used in ancient Greek dating; the 7th Olympiad corresponds to approximately 753–750 BCE., according to the witness of Dionysius Dionysius of Halicarnassus, a Greek historian who wrote a Roman history during the reign of Augustus.. In the year of the world 4450. And nearly seven hundred years before the salvation of the Lord i.e., before the birth of Christ.. And they say that it was named—to speak clearly of the New City—by Rhomus, a companion of Aeneas, or by Roma, the granddaughter of Ascanius, or by Roma, the daughter of Italus; though some wish for Rome to be named after Romulus The Latin text here uses "Rhomo," a variation of Romulus., the brother of Remus, who was the first King of the Romans. This city has indeed been frequently burned and demolished by barbarians and foreign nations. Therefore, Most Blessed Father, in the first book I shall write of the walls, gates, bridges, and regions of ancient Rome. In the second book, however, I shall write concerning the temples and Magistrates and—