43.]

[Footnote 52: _By the stroke._--Ver. 618. Possibly both Remulus
(if there ever was such a person) and Tullus Hostilius may have
fallen victims to some electrical experiments which they were
making; this may have given rise to the story that they had been
struck with lightning for imitating the prerogative of Jupiter.]

[Footnote 53: _A coloured cap._--Ver. 654. 'Picta redimitus
tempora mitra,' is rendered by Clarke, 'Having his temples wrapped
up in a painted bonnet.' The 'mitra,' which was worn on the head
by females, was a broad cloth band of various colours. The use of
it was derived from the Eastern nations, and, probably, it was
very similar to our turban. It was much used by the Phrygians, and
in later times among the Greeks and Romans. It is supposed that it
was worn in a broad fillet round the head, and was tied under the
chin with bands. When Clodius went disguised in female apparel to
the rites of Bona Dea, he wore a 'mitra.']

[Footnote 54: _Stood unwedded._--Ver. 663. Ovid probably derived
this notion from the language of the Roman husbandmen. Columella
and other writers on agricultural matters often make mention of a
'maritus ulmus,' and a 'nupta vitis,' in contradistinction to
those trees which stood by themselves.]

[Footnote 55: _Her of Rhamnus._--Ver. 694. See Book III. l. 406.]

EXPLANATION.

Among the Deities borrowed by the Romans from the people of Etruria,
were Vertumnus and Pomona, who presided over gardens and fruits.
Propertius represents Vertumnus as rejoicing at having left Tusculum
for the Roman Forum. According to Varro and Festus, the Romans
offered sacrifices to these Deities, and they had their respective
temples and altars at Rome, the priest of Pomona being called
'Flamen Pomonalis.' It is probable that this story originated in the
fancy of the Poet.

The name of Vertumnus, from 'verto,' 'to change,' perhaps relates to
the vicissitudes of the seasons; and if this story refers to any
tradition, its meaning may have been, that in his taking various
forms, to please Pomona, the change of seasons requisite for
bringing the fruits to ripeness was symbolized. It is possible that
in the disguises of a labourer, a reaper, and an old woman, the Poet
may intend to pourtray the spring, the harvest, and the winter.

There was a market at Rome, near the temple of this