These plains were originally inhabited by a portion of the Etrurian or Tuscan nation, once the most powerful in Italy; but at an uncertain period a vast horde of Celtic Gauls forced the passage of the Alps and spread themselves over the country, which thence received their name.
8.

It was sometimes called Gallia Toga'ta, because the invaders conformed to Italian customs, and wore the toga.

Cisalpine Gaul was not accounted part of Italy in the republican age; its southern boundary, the river Rubicon, being esteemed by the Romans the limit of their domestic empire.
9.

The river Pa'dus and its tributary streams fertilized these rich plains.

The principal rivers falling into the Padus were, from the north, the Du'ria, _Durance_; the Tici'nus, _Tessino_; the Ad'dua, _Adda_; the Ol'lius, _Oglio_; and the Min'tius, _Minzio_: from the south, the Ta'narus, _Tanaro_, and the Tre'bia.