CHAP. 1. (1.)—THE ORES OF BRASS.[1215]
We must, in the next place, give an account of the ores of brass,[1216] a metal which, in respect of utility, is next in value; indeed the Corinthian brass comes before silver, not to say almost before gold itself. It is also, as I have stated above,[1217] the standard of monetary value;[1218] hence the terms “æra militum,” “tribuni ærarii,” “ærarium,” “obærati,” and “ære diruti.”[1219] I have already mentioned for what length of time the Roman people employed no coin except brass;[1220] and there is another ancient fact which proves that the esteem in which it was held was of equal antiquity with that of the City itself, the circumstance that the third associated body[1221] which Numa established, was that of the braziers.
CHAP. 2.—THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF COPPER.
The ore is extracted in the mode that has been described above,[1222] and is then purified by fusion. The metal is also obtained from a coppery stone called “cadmia.”[1223] The most highly esteemed copper is procured from beyond seas: it was formerly obtained in Campania also, and at present is found in the country of the Bergomates,[1224] at the extremity of Italy. It is said to have been lately discovered also in the province of Germany.
(2.) In Cyprus, where copper was first discovered, it is also procured from another stone, which is called “chalcitis.”[1225] This, however, was afterwards considered of little value, a better kind having been found in other regions, especially that called “aurichalcum,”[1226] which was long in high request, on account of its excellent quality; but none of it has been found for this long time, the earth having been quite exhausted. The kind which was next in value was the Sallustian,[1227] procured from the Alpine district of the Centrones;[1228] but this did not last long, and was succeeded by the Livian, in Gaul. They both took their names from the owners of the mines; the former a friend of the Emperor Augustus, the latter that emperor’s wife.[1229] They soon failed, however, and in the Livian even there is now found but a very small quantity of ore. That which is at present held in the highest estimation is the Marian, likewise known as the Corduban;[1230] next to the Livian, this kind most readily absorbs cadmia, and becomes almost as excellent as aurichalcum[1231] for making sesterces and double asses,[1232] the Cyprian copper being thought good enough for the as. Thus much concerning the natural qualities of this metal.
CHAP. 3.—THE CORINTHIAN BRASS.
The other kinds are made artificially, all of which will be described in the appropriate places, the more celebrated kinds first coming under our notice. Formerly a mixture was made of copper fused with gold and silver, and the workmanship in this metal was considered even more valuable than the material itself; but, at the present day, it is difficult to say whether the workmanship in it, or the material, is the worst. Indeed, it is wonderful, that while the value of these works[1233] has so infinitely increased, the reputation of the art itself[1234] is nearly extinct. But it would appear, that in this, as in every thing else, what was formerly done for the sake of reputation, is now undertaken for the mere purpose of gain. For whereas this art was ascribed to the gods[1235] themselves, and men of rank in all countries endeavoured to acquire fame by the practice of it, we have now so entirely lost the method of making this valuable compound by fusion, that, for this long time past, not even chance itself has assumed, in this department, the privilege which formerly belonged to art.[1236]
Next after the above compound, so celebrated in antiquity, the Corinthian metal has been the most highly esteemed. This was a compound produced by accident, when Corinth was burnt at the time of its capture.[1237] There has been a wonderful mania with many for gaining possession of this metal. It is even said, that Verres, whom M. Cicero caused to be condemned, was proscribed by Antonius, along with Cicero, for no other reason than his refusal to give up some specimens of Corinthian metal, which were in his possession. But most of these people seem to me to make a pretence of their discernment in reference to this metal, rather for the purpose of distinguishing themselves from the multitude, than from any real knowledge which they possess; and this I will briefly show.
Corinth was captured in the third year of the 158th Olympiad, being the year of the City, 608,[1238] some ages after the period when those artists flourished, who produced all the specimens of what these persons now call Corinthian metal. It is in order, therefore, to refute this opinion, that I shall state the age when these different artists lived; for, if we reckon according to the above-mentioned era of the Olympiads, it will be easy to compare their dates with the corresponding years of our City. The only genuine Corinthian vessels, then, are those which these men of taste metamorphose, sometimes into dishes, sometimes into lamps, or even into washing-basins,[1239] without any regard to decency. They are of three kinds; the white variety, approaching very nearly to the splendour of silver, and in which that metal forms a large proportion of the compound; a second kind, in which the yellow colour of gold predominates; and a third, in which all the metals are mixed in equal proportions. Besides these, there is another mixture, the composition of which it is impossible to describe, for although it has been formed into images and statues by the hand of man, it is chance that rules in the formation of the compound. This last is highly prized for its colour, which approaches to that of liver, and it is on this account that it is called “hepatizon:”[1240] it is far inferior to the Corinthian metal, but much superior to the Æginetan and Delian, which long held the first rank.