uction is
to have many vehicles bound together with enormous ropes, with men or
oxen hanging on behind, to hold them back with great efforts; and so
with a crouching step they get down with some degree of safety. And
this, as I have said, is what happens in the spring.

5. But in winter, the ground being covered over with a smooth crust of
ice, and therefore slippery under foot, the traveller is often plunged
headlong; and the valleys, which seem to open here and there into wide
plains, which are merely a covering of treacherous ice, sometimes
swallow up those who try to pass over them. On account of which danger
those who are acquainted with the country fix projecting wooden piles
over the safest spots, in order that a series of them may conduct the
traveller unhurt to his destination; though if these piles get covered
with snow and hidden, or thrown down by melting torrents descending from
the mountains, then it is difficult for any one to pass, even if natives
of the district lead the way.

6. But on the summit of this Italian mountain there is a plain, seven
miles in extent, reaching as far as the station known by the name of
Mars; and after that comes another ridge, still more steep, and scarcely
possible to be climbed, which stretches on to the summit of Mons
Matrona, named so from an event which happened to a noble lady.

7. From this point a path, steep indeed, but easily passable, leads to
the fortress of Virgantia.[51] The sepulchre of this petty prince whom
we have spoken of as the maker of these roads is at Susa, close to the
walls; and his remains are honoured with religious veneration for two
reasons: first of all, because he governed his people with equitable
moderation; and secondly, because, by becoming an ally of the Roman
republic, he procured lasting tranquillity for his subjects.

8. And although this road which I have been speaking of runs through the
centre of the district, and is shorter and more frequented now than any
other, yet other roads also were made at much earlier periods, on
different occasions.

9. The first of them, near the maritime alps, was made by the Theban
Hercules, when he was proceeding in a leisurely manner to destroy Geryon
and Tauriscus, as has already been mentioned; and he it was who gave to
these alps the name of the Grecian Alps.[52] In the same way he
consecrated the citadel and port of Monaecus to keep alive the
recollection of his name for ever. And this was the