ich indeed is now deserted, but which was
formerly one of no small importance, as even now is proved by its
half-ruinous edifices. These are the most important provinces, and most
splendid cities of the Galli.

13. In Aquitania, which looks towards the Pyrenees, and that part of the
ocean which belongs to the Spaniards, the first province is Aquitanica,
very rich in large and populous cities; passing over others, I may
mention as pre-eminent, Bordeaux, Clermont, Saintes, and Poictiers.

14. The province called the Nine Nations is enriched by Ausch and Bazas.
In the province of Narbonne, the cities of Narbonne, Euses, and Toulouse
are the principal places of importance. The Viennese exults in the
magnificence of many cities, the chief of which are Vienne itself, and
Arles, and Valence; to which may be added Marseilles, by the alliance
with and power of which we read that Rome itself was more than once
supported in moments of danger.

15. And near to these cities is also Aix, Nice, Antibes, and the islands
of Hieres.

16. And since we have come in the progress of our work to this district,
it would be inconsistent and absurd to omit all mention of the Rhone, a
river of the greatest celebrity. The Rhone rises in the Penine Alps,
from sources of great abundance, and descending with headlong
impetuosity into the more champaign districts, it often overruns its
banks with its own waters, and then plunges into a lake called Lake
Leman, and though it passes through it, yet it never mingles with any
foreign waters, but, rushing over the top of those which flow with less
rapidity, in its search for an exit, it forces its own way by the
violence of its stream.

17. And thus passing through that lake without any damage, it runs
through Savoy and the district of Franche Comte; and, after a long
course, it forms the boundary between the Viennese on its left, and the
Lyonnese on its right. Then after many windings it receives the Saone, a
river which rises in the first Germany, and this latter river here
merges its name in the Rhone. At this point is the beginning of the
Gauls. And from this spot the distances are measured not by miles but by
leagues.

18. From this point also, the Rhone, being now enriched by other rivers,
becomes navigable for large vessels, which are often tossed about in it
by gales of wind; and at last, having finished the course which nature
has marked out for it, foaming on it joins the Gallic Sea in the