ARDEA, in Ancient Geography, a town of Latium, the royal residence of Turnus king of the Rutuli, (Livy); so called, either from the augury of the heron, (Hyginus); or from the excessive heat of the country, (Martial). It was in a marshy, sickly situation, (Strabo, Seneca). It was built by Danaë, the mother of Perseus, (Virgil); above five miles distant from the sea, and 20 from Rome: now a hamlet. It was a Roman colony, (Livy); the inhabitants called Ardeater. E. Long. 17. 49. N. Lat. 41. 30.