[28] The Consuls usually had twelve lictors each; the Dictator twenty-four.
[29] Witch's Fortress. The town of Circeii, which Macaulay associates here with Circe, the enchantress.
[30] ghastly priest. The temple of Diana, in a grove near Aricia, had for its priest a runaway slave, who was to hold office until slain by another runaway slave stronger than he.
[31] Ufens. A river.
[32] Laurentian jungle. Marshy thickets near the town of Laurentum.
[33] Carthage. On the north coast of Africa. The Carthaginians were a commercial and sea-faring people.
[34] a woman. Lucretia. After she had been wronged by Sextus, she stabbed herself and died.
[35] Tibur. The modern city of Tivoli.
[36] Soracte. A snow-capped mountain about twenty-five miles from Rome.
[37] Apulian. Apulia was one of the divisions of Italy.