MANTUA, anciently a town of the Transpadana, in Italy, situated on the Mincius, a river running from the Lacus Benacus, (Pliny); a very old town, supposed to be older than Rome. It is still called Mantua, and is the capital of the duchy of that name. It is now a large place, having eight gates and about 16,000 inhabitants. The streets are broad and straight, and the houses well built. It is very strong by situation as well as by art; lying in the middle of a lake, or rather morass, formed by the river Mincius. There is no access to the city but by two causeways which cross this morass, and which are strongly fortified: so that the city is looked upon to be one of the most considerable fortresses of Europe; and the allies in 1745, tho' their army was in the duchy, durst not undertake the siege. It was greatly noted for its silk-manufactures, which are now much decayed. The air in the summer-time is very unwholesome. The celebrated poet Virgil was born at a village near this city. E. Long. 10. 47. N. Lat. 45. 10.