Transactions of the Royal Society of Literature of the United Kingdom Volume 3 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1832 edition. Excerpt: ... as of their own. This deficiency, and the great utility of monuments in supplying the place of records, are strikingly exemplified on the present occasion. No mention occurs, except in geographical writers," of the city of Volcium and the Volcientes, and no particulars of their history have been preserved. ' '. By the remains newly brought to light, and by a fragment of the triumphal Fasti fortunately preserved in the Capitol at Rome," we discover, however, that the Volcientes" must have been, during a long period of time, one of the most opulent and powerful states of Etruria, eminent for their valour and perseverance in defence of their liberty and independence; and that, although so near to Rome, they continued the contest with that invincible city till the year 283 before our era, when the greatest 'part of Italy had already submitted to the yoke. They were then deprived of a portion of their territory; and Cossa, their naval port, receiving a Roman colony, they were precluded from foreign commerce.-What appears indubitable from the concurring testimony of the most respectable authorities, is that Pelasgic colonies established themselves in various parts of Italy, where they introduced civilization and the use of letters. It is equally certain thatapeople called Tyrrheni, probably a Pelasgic tribe, settled in that part of the same country, to which, from them, the name of Tyrrhenia was given by the Greeks. Respecting the epoch and the circumstances of these colonies, whether they came by land or by sea, and whether the Tyrrheni migrated from Lydia, we have no information deserving of Confidence; and as these questions relate to an age anterior to written history, it is most probable they never will be resolved....