Home1860 Edition

CLITOMACHUS

Volume 7 · 187 words · 1860 Edition

(n.c. 140), was a native of Carthage; whence he removed to Athens, where he became a distinguished pupil of Carneades, and succeeded that philosopher as head of the new academy. Of his writings a few titles and quotations in Cicero are alone extant.

CLITUMNUS (the Clitunno), a small river of Umbria, rising about half-way between Hispellum (Spello) and Spoletium (Spolet). The spot at which it rises is called Le Vene from the number of springs which issue from the rock, and whose united waters speedily form a stream navigable for small barges. After a course of about nine miles it assumed the name of Tinia, and kept this designation till it fell into the Tiber a short distance below Veii. The Clitumnus was anciently famous for the clearness of its waters, and for the beauty of the white cattle that grazed on its banks. To these animals a peculiar sanctity was attached, which made it unlawful for any one to put them in the yoke. They were expressly reserved for the sacrifices which followed the triumphal procession of a victorious general, or such other occasions of solemnity.