[2201] See B. iv. c. 28, and the Note, Vol. i. p. 348. The village of Hercingen, near Waldsee, is supposed to retain the ancient name.
[2202] “Robora.” It will be seen in this Book that the robur has not been identified, any more than the quercus.
[2203] Fée treats this story as utterly fabulous. The branches of the Ficus Indica grow downwards, and so form arcades certainly; but such is not the case with any European tree.
[2204] Not only oaks, but a variety of other trees, were included under this name by the ancients; the “glans” embracing not only the acorn, but the mast of the beech, and the hard fruits of other trees
[2205] He alludes to the crown of oak-leaves, which was suspended on the gates before the palace of the emperors. A civic crown had been voted by the senate to Julius Cæsar, on the ground of having saved his country.
[2206] Given to the first man who scaled the wall of a besieged place. It was made of gold, and decorated with turrets.
[2207] Given to the first soldier who surmounted the vallum or entrenchments. It was made of gold, and ornamented with “valli,” or palisades.
[2208] One of the varieties of the triumphal crown was the “corona aurea,” or “golden crown.”
[2209] Made of gold, and decorated with the “rostra,” or “beaks” of ships.
[2210] See B. vii. c. 31.