Chap. 8.] 
FirTT KTISTDS OE WINES. 
241 
times, though rarely, rough^"^ as well : the Surrentine^ wines, 
also, the growth of only stayed vines, which are especially 
recommended to invalids for their thinness and their whole- 
someness. Tiberius Caesar used to say that the physicians had 
conspired thus to dignify the Surrentinum, which was, in fact, 
only another name for generous vinegar ; while Caius Caesar, 
who succeeded him, gave it the name of noble vappa/'^^ 
Tying in reputation with these are the Massic wines, from the 
spots which look from Mount Gaurus towards Puteoli and 
Eaise.'^^ As to the wines of Stata, in the vicinity of Falernum, 
there is no doubt that they formerly held the very highest 
rank, a fact which proves very clearly that every district has 
its own peculiar epochs, just as all other things have their rise 
and their decadence. The Calenian'''^ wines, too, from the same 
neighbourhood, used to be preferred to those last mentioned, 
as also the Fundanian,'^ the produce of vines grown on stays, 
or else attached to shrubs. The wines, too, of Yeliternum'^ 
and Priverna,'''^ which were grown in the vicinity of the City, 
used to be highly esteemed. As to that produced at Signia,'^ 
it is by far too rough to be used as a wine, but is very useful 
as an astringent, and is consequently reckoned among the 
medicines for that purpose. 
The fourth rank, at the public banquets, was given by the 
late Emperor Julius — he was the first, in fact, that brought 
«7 See B. xxiii. c. 21. 
From Surrentum, the promontory forming the southern horn of the 
Bay of Naples. Ovid and Martial speak in praise of these wines ; they 
were destitute of richness and very dry, in consequence of which they re- 
quired twenty-five years to ripen. 
69 Qj. "dead vinegar." '*Vappa" was vinegar exposed to the air, and so 
destitute of its properties, and quite insipid. 
Excellent wines are still produced in the vicinity of this place. Mas- 
sicura was one of the perfumed wines. Gaurus itself produced the " Gau- 
ranum," in small quantity, but of high quality, full-bodied and thick. 
"^^ For the Calenian Hills, see B. iii. c. 9 ; see also B. xxiii. c. 12, for 
some further account of the wines of Stata. The wines of that district are 
now held in no esteem. 
^2 From Fundi. See B. iii. c. 9. 
''^ Now Castel del Volturno : although covered with vineyards, its wines 
are of no account. This wine always tasted as if mixed with some foreign 
substance. 
Now Piperno. It was a thin and pleasant wine. 
Now Segni, in the States of the Church, 
TOL. III. B 
