Patavium

Sources from old books

1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.

THe Territorie of Patavium followeth, which wee are to describe in this Table, which is thus bounderd by Bernardinus Scardeomus: on the South the River Athesis runneth: on the North the little River M•so glideth: on the East the gulfe of Venice: on the West the Euganian hills, and the Country of Vicentia. The compasse and circumference of this Country is 180. Miles, in which there are six hundred and seaven and forty Villages. Caelius Rhodiginus writeth that Constantinus Palaeologus was wont to say, nisi secreta sanctissimis viris affirmari in Oriente Paradisum esse, arbitrari se non alibi eum reperiri posse, quam in persuavi Patavina amaenitate. That is if holy men had not affirmed that Paradise was in the East, hee should thinke that it could not be found any where else but in sweet and pleasant Patavium. The soyle is fruitefull, yeelding corne, fruite, and rich Wines, whence Martiall, Pictaque Pompineis Euganea arva jugis.

The Euganean fields which painted areWith hills that purple Vines doe beare.

It affoordeth also great store of Hunting, Fowling, and Fishing. The Inhabitants have a Proverb, concerning the incredible Plenty of this Country, Bologna la grassa, Padova la Passa. This Citty was alwayes joyned in friendship and amity with the Romanes, as appeareth in Livie Lib. 41. and in M. Tullius his Phillippicks. The Colonie brought hither was better conditioned than other Colonies. For the Patavians had power to give their voice and suffrage, as the Romane Cittizens. It was taken and sackt with other Citties by Attila King of the Huns, and an hundred yeeres afterward by the Langbards, who burnt it, when in the raigne of Charles the great, it began to be partly under the Kings of Italy, and the French King: partly under the Berengarians: but afterward it became free in the raigne of the Emperour Otho the first. The forme of this Common-wealth lasted, untill Frederick the second, by whose command and authority Actiolinus Romaninus possessed this Citty: after whom it had these Lords, the Carrariensians, the Scaligerians, and the Galeatians, and about the yeere of Christ 1404. the Venetians, whom it still obeyeth, and like a good Mother, finding her selfe weake and infirme through age, shee yeeldeth all her right to her Daughter (for the Venetians were a Colonie of the Patavines) not to bee governed, but rather sustained and helped by her. Patavium is a most ancient Citty, the flower and honour of all the Citties in Italie, Ptolemy calls it Patavium, it is now called Padua. Ptolemy also in another place calleth it Baetobium. Some suppose it was so named in regard of the Vicinity and neerenesse thereof unto the River Po, and the Marshes, and so called as it were Padaveum: some derive it a petendo or from hitting, because Antenor the builder of this Citty, Avem telo petiverit, did there shoote a Bird with an Arrow. But Antenor is reported to have built it as he came from Troy. Thit Citty is situate in a fruitfull levell soyle, and it hath a gentle temperate ayre, it is happy both for the goodnesse of the soyle, the pleasantnesse of the Euganian Mountaines, and the vicinity of the Alpes, and the Sea. The River Brenta floweth by it. The compasse of it is now twofold, and heretofore threefold: the outward compasse or circumference doth containe 6200. paces, with 6. magnificent Gates. The inward circumference 3000. paces, having a long walke round about it. It is also faire and magnificent, abounding with all things necessary, it is also paved, and well fortified with Ditches, Trenches, and Bulwarkes: it hath magnificent, and sumptuous Aedifices, both sacred, prophane, publike, and private. There are 23. Friaries, and 49. Nunneries. There is a Palace which was built by the Emperour Henry, which is now a Court of Iustice, and the chiefest of note in all Italy, which is not supported with any Pillars, but covered with Lead. Moreover there is the Court of publike counsell, with a Porch, it is supported with Marble Pillars, built of stone, and covered with Lead, there are 5. great Market-places, 38. Bridges, arched with stone, over the River Bronta. There are large Porches, spacious Courts, three Hospitalls for the sicke, and as many for strangers. There is also an Hopitall for Orphanes. It doth containe 4000. houses. The Inhabitants are very witty, apt and prone to warfare, vertue, and studies. Titus Livius, Cn. Valerius, Flaccus, L. Aruntius Stella, and many others have graced Padua with their birth. It hath the famous University of Padua, which was founded and instituted by the Emperour Charles the great, or as some thinke by Frederick the second, which was much enlarged by Pope Vrbane the fourth, and perfected and established by the most illustrious Common-wealth of Venice. There are also many Libraries, well furnished with Greeke and Latine Bookes, one at S. Iohns in the Garden, another at S. Iustines, the third at S. Antonies. This Country is so watered with Rivers, that to the great commodities and profit of the Inhabitants, there is no Country Towne which is above 5. miles distant from a River.