13/26 Mount Vesu'vius in the early ages of Italy was not a volcano; its first eruption took place A.D. UM'BRIA extended along the middle and east of Italy, from the river Rubicon in the north, to the AE'sis, _Gesano_, dividing it from Pise'num, and the Nar, _Nera_, separating it from Sam'nium in the south. The Umbrians were esteemed one of the most ancient races in Italy, and were said to have possessed the greater part of the northern and central provinces. They were divided into several tribes, which seem to have been semi-barbarous, and they were subject to the Gauls before they were conquered by the Romans. |