Historical and Architectural Sketches (London, 1876).
THE VATICAN.
AUGUSTUS J. C. HARE.
The hollow of the Janiculum between S. Onofrio and the Monte Mario is believed to have been the site of Etruscan divination.
“Fauni vatesque canebant.”
Ennius.
Hence the name, which is now only used in regard to the Papal palace and the Basilica of S. Peter, but which was once applied to the whole district between the foot of the hill and the Tiber near S. Angelo.
“... Ut paterni
Fluminis ripae, simul et jocosa
Redderet laudes tibi Vaticani
Montis imago.”