[1301] “In Octaviæ operibus.” These were certain public buildings, erected in Rome by Augustus, and named by him after his sister Octavia; they are mentioned by Suetonius.—B.
[1302] Valerius Maximus refers to this event, but he names the individual Statius Servilius, B. i. c. 8, § 6.—B.
[1303] See B. xxxiii. cc. [50], [54].
[1304] We have an account of the attack by Hannibal on Rome in the twenty-sixth Book of Livy, but we have no mention of the particular circumstance here referred to.—B.
[1305] “Forum Boarium.” See Chapter [5].
[1306] Livy, B. i. c. 19, informs us, that Numa made Janus of a form to denote both peace and war.—B.
[1307] The mode in which the fingers were placed, so as to serve the purpose here indicated, is supposed to have been by their forming the letters which were the Roman numerals for the figures in question. We are informed that some MSS. of Pliny give the number three hundred and fifty-five only, and there is reason to believe that, in the time of Numa, this was considered to be the actual number of days in the year. Some of the commentators, however, are disposed to read three hundred and sixty-five; and this opinion derives some support from Macrobius, who refers to this statue as indicating this latter number with its fingers.—B. The Bamberg MS. gives three hundred and sixty-five.
[1308] See end of B. iii.
[1309] “Misoromæus”—“Roman-hater.” See end of B. iii.
[1310] Pliny himself informs us, in B. xxxv. c. [45], that the statue of Jupiter in the Capitol, erected by Tarquinius Priscus, was formed of earth.—B.