(Capo di Miseno), in ancient geography, a famous promontory on the coast of Campania, which formed the northern boundary of the Sinus Cumanus (Bay of It is said to have derived its name from Misenus, who is represented by one legend as a companion of Ulysses, but by Virgil and others as the trumpeter of Æneas. Towards the close of the Republic its vicinity became a favourite site for the summer residences of the citizens of Rome. There, on the brow of a hill commanding an extensive seaward view, stood the villa of Marius, which afterwards, in the possession of Lucullus, attained to a more than regal magnificence. The promontory is mentioned by Cicero as a resort of the Cilician pirates. In the reign of Augustus its land-locked harbour became the permanent station of the fleet that was entrusted with the defence of the Lower Sea. A considerable town in consequence gradually rose around the port. Pliny the Elder was stationed here in command of the "Classis Misensis," when he was induced, A.D. 79, to visit that eruption of Mount Vesuvius in which he perished.