in Ancient Geography, a town of the Marsi in Italy, situated on the north side of the Lacus Fucinus, still retaining its name. It stands upon an eminence, and is noted in Roman history for being the state prison where captive princes were shut up after being barbarously dragged through the streets of Rome at the chariot wheels of a triumphant consul. Perseus king of Macedon terminated his wretched career in this confinement, with his son, the last hope of an illustrious line of kings. Syphax the Numidian, and Bitinus king of the Averni, were also condemned to this gaol by the particular clemency of the senate, which sometimes indulged its savage disposition by putting its captives to death.
Alba being situated in the centre of Italy, amidst difficult mountainous passes, and far from all means of escape, was esteemed a most proper place for the purpose of guarding prisoners of importance. Artificial strength was added to its natural security by fortifications, which remain to this day in a state that proves their ancient solidity. For the entertainment of the garrison, which was required in a place of such consequence, an amphitheatre was erected, of which the ruins are still valuable, as well as the foundations of a temple, and other buildings of Roman times.
Lucius Vitellius, brother to the emperor of that name, had a villa near this place, famous for the variety and excellence of its fruit trees, which he had brought from Syria. His gardens were the nurseries where several of the most delicious stone fruits, that are now so com- mon in Europe, were first cultivated and multiplied. It must have been necessary at Alba to shelter trees transplanted from Asia, and to treat them with great tenderness and care, in order to rear them to perfection: for the climate of this high region is extremely rigorous in winter; the cold season lasts long, and is accompanied with violent storms of wind and falls of snow. The lake has been often frozen entirely over.
Alba Firma, or Album, in our old customs, denoted rent paid in silver, and not in corn, which was called black mail.
Alba Terra, one of the numerous names for the philosopher's stone.
Alba Regalis. See Stuhl Weissenburg.
Alba Helviorum, or Albaugusta, in Ancient Geography, afterwards called Vivarium, now Viviers, in the south-east of Languedoc, on the Rhone. In the lower age the inhabitants were called Albenses, and their city Civitas Albensium, in the Notitia Galliae. E. Long. 4. 45. Lat. 44. 50.
Alba Julia, in Ancient Geography, now Weissenburg, a town of Transylvania, on the river Marisins, or Marisch, to the west of Hermanstat, supposed to be called Alba Julia, after Julia Domna the mother of Caracalla. There are, however, several inscriptions found at or near Weissenburg, which bear Col. Apul. that is, Colonia Apulensis, without the least mention of Alba Julia, though inscribed after Caracalla's time. Add, that Ulpian, reciting the colonies of Dacia, calls this colony Apulensis, and neither Alba nor Julia. Whence there is a suspicion, that Alba Julia is a corruption of Apulum. It was also called Apulum Augustum. E. Long. 25. o. Lat. 46. 46.
Alba Longa, in Ancient Geography, a colony from Lavinium, in Latium, established by Ascanius the son of Æneas, at the foot of the Mons Albanus: called Alba, from a white sow found by Æneas, which farrowed 30 white pigs on that spot; which circumstance was interpreted to portend the building of a city there in 30 years after (Propertius). The epithet Longa was added on account of its length. It was the royal residence till the building of Rome, as was foretold by Anchises (Virgil); was destroyed by Tullus Hostilius, all but the fane or temple; and the inhabitants were transplanted to Rome (Strabo).
Alba Pompeia, in Ancient Geography, on the river Ceba, now Ceva, in Liguria, the birth-place of the emperor Pertinax; a colony either established at first by Pompey, or re-established by him after having been before settled by Scipio. The inhabitants were called Albenses Pompeiani. At this day the town is simply called Alba, without any epithet.