Antium, an ancient city of Latium, built on a rocky promontory which projects into the Mediterranean,;12 m. S. of Rome. One legend ascribed its foundation to a son of Ulysses and Circe, another to Ascanius. No authentic record shows even by what people it was founded. In the time of Tarquinius Superbus, who annexed it to the Latin league, it was inhabited by a mixed race who practised piracy and carried on a limited legitimate commerce. They favored the Volscians, and were only kept among the cities subject to Rome by strong garrisons and bodies of Roman colonists, who were sent to Antium from time to time. Later, though at exactly what period is not known, it fell entirely into the hands of the Volscians, and for some time vigorously aided them, according to Livy, in their wars against the Romans. In 408 13. C. it was retaken by the latter, and held till 459, when it again revolted. For a century it was the chief Vol-scian city, but in 338 it was a third time overcome and.garrisoned by Rome. The city continued prosperous, partly because of its excellent harbor, partly because of its popularity as a summer resort for the citizens of Rome. Caligula and Nero were born in Antium, and Cicero had a villa there.

A vast circus, and temples of Venus, Aesculapius, Apollo, and Fortuna, as well as one which was the seat of a celebrated oracle, added to the magnificence of the city. Its prosperity declined with the decline of the western empire, and it was laid waste by the Saracens during their incursions, so that by A. D. 050 it had become a petty fishing village. Pope Innocent XII. (1091-1700) made an attempt to restore something of its beauty, but with only temporary success; and the town, known in modern times by the name of Porto d'Anzo, remained almost deserted until the accession of Pius IX. This pope built there a very beautiful church and a villa which was for many years his favorite summer residence. Other beautiful villas have sprung up around it, and Porto d'Anzo is now a town of about 1,000 inhabitants, occupying almost the centre of the site of ancient Antium, the ruins of which are everywhere visible. Among these ruins were found the Apollo Belvedere and the "Fighting Gladiator " of the Borghese collection, with other art treasures.