Text, scholarly version, translated from the 1584 Latin 3rd Add., 1584 Latin, 1584 German 3rd Add., 1588 Spanish, 1592 Latin, 1595 Latin, 1601 Latin, 1602 German, 1602 Spanish, 1603 Latin, 1606 English, 1608/1612 Italian, 1609/1612/1641 Spanish and 1609/1612 Latin editions:
49.1. {1584L3Add{The coasts of Narbonne of Gallia.
49.2. The main places along this coast are described by Guillaume Paradinus in these words: Arles was a settlement of the Sextains, as some writers state. Situated on the Rhône, it is surrounded by marshes in which at this moment there is a breed of fierce cattle. Once it was a famous market town, as Strabo relates in the following manner: Narbo (he says), the busiest market of this region is situated at the outlet of the river Ataxis {1588S, 1602S & 1609/1612/1641S have instead{Aude}1588S, 1602S & 1609/1612/1641S instead} near lake Narbonensis, but the town of Arles, a market of no small importance is situated on the Rhône. Near Arles are those hot baths where Sextius (according to Strabo) built a town after his own name, calling it Aquæ Sextiæ. The reason why he built it was to place a Roman garrison there. Here the Cimbri were slain by Marius, as St. Hieronymus writes. [Another main place is] Aurasio, now called Orange, famous in former times for the government of the Cabilonenses, in which I saw the ruins of a huge [amphi]theatre, and a mighty wall built of square stones, the like of which I doubt to find anywhere else in France.
49.3. There is also at the gate looking towards Lyon a triumphal arch, with a cavalry battle engraved upon it, which we looked at for a long time with great pleasure. To this also belongs the city of Nîmes, a place famous for its ancient [amphi]theatre (now called Arenas) that remains there. Here is a most wonderful passage underground, passing under the very course of Rhône and leading to a far away place. Here also you may see the palace of Plotina, built by Hadrianus the emperor, as Spartianus reports, &c. So much from Paradinus. But of all others, Ioannes Poldo d'Albena has described this city most accurately, and published its antiquities in pictures, with the locations and ancient names of adjacent cities. About this subject, read Strabo in his fourth book, and Guntherus, a poet from Genoa. The original [version] of this map was given to me by my friend Carolus Clusius {1595L, not in 1602G, 1602S & 1609/1612/1641S{of Arras}1595L, not in 1602G, 1602S & 1609/1612/1641S}, drawn with his own hand.
49.4. SAVOIE.
49.5. SAVOIE is located on this side of the Alps, the prince of which, called the duke of Savoie, is [also] lord of the region of Piemont, as they say. Its main city is Chambéry (formerly called Ciuaro according to Cœnalis), where the senate or parliament resides. Some people think this region was called Sabaudia after certain people called Sebusiani or, as others suppose, after Sabatian lords. But Bouillus gives another source for this name. For this region (he says), due to its narrow passages (situated as it is in the Alps) and due to the scarcity of inhabitants used to be infested with thieves, who either robbed or murdered those travellers that passed this way. Then a certain nobleman obtained it from the emperor under the title of a dukedom and he expelled by force of arms all those thieves and robbers, and made the route most secure for travellers. This done, he ordered it to be named Salva via, commonly Saulvoy, {1606E only{that is, the safe way,}1606E only} which before that was called Mala via, or also Maulvoy, {1602G & 1606E only{the evil or dangerous way}1602G & 1606E only}. Hence the Romans called it Sabaudia. So far Carolus Bouillus. Whether it be a fable or a history, I appeal to the author's trustworthiness. One thing I am sure of is, that the word Sapaudia is often used in the book called Liber Notitiarum {1606E instead{Notitia Provinciarum}1606E instead} as a name of one of the provinces of Gallia Narbonensis.
49.6. But here I do not think it amiss to append the description of this province from the history which Paradinus wrote about it. His words are these: that region which in Latin is now called Sabaudia (commonly Savoy) was called Allobroges by ancient writers. It contains the entire area in former times inhabited by the Sabbatij, Ingauni, Intimelij, Hiconij, Tricorij, Vocontij, Lepontij, Latobrigi, Medualli, Centrones, Catoriges, Veragri, Nantuarij, Salassi, Tharanthasij and the Seduni. The indigenous regions included in it at this moment are named as follows: Savoie, the county of Geneva, the marquisette of Susa, the county of Morienne, the baronies of Tharentaise, Brengeois, Foucigni, Chablais, Val de Oste, Païs de Vaul, Païs de Geis and some others.
49.7. The duchy of Savoie also commands the region of Piemont, and is adorned with the title of a princedom. Also the region of Bresse in which you find the counties of Varaz, Montreuil, Pont de Vaulx, Bagey &c. From ancient monuments it becomes clear that this region in former times bore the name of a kingdom, particularly in the days of Hannibal who, being appointed as a judge between Bronchus and his brother about the government of this city, resolved their quarrel and restored the kingdom to the eldest, who had been expelled by his younger brother, as Livius reports in his 21st {1602G has instead{32nd}1602G instead} book. Florus also states that Betultus (some read it as Betuitus), the king of this place, was taken captive by Quintus Fabius Maximus. And various authors refer to king Cottius at the time of emperor Augustus, after whom the neighbouring Alps were called Cottiæ. {1601L not in 1602G{More concerning this region you may read in Philibert Pingonicus}1601L, not in 1602G}.
49.8. The county of Venacin {1608/1612I only{or Avignone}1608/1612I only}.
49.9. The county of Venacin, in Latin called Comitatus Venuxinus{1592L, not in 1602G, 1602S & 1609/1612/1641S{and by Cœnalis VENETICVS}1592L, not in 1609/1612/1641S} {1595L{and also the pope's territory, because it is under Roman jurisdiction}1595L, not in 1602G}, is part of that region of France now called Provence, and formerly Narbonensis secunda. Its main city is Avignon {1584L, not in 1602G, 1602S, 1606E & 1609/1612/1641S{Cauarum}1584L, not in 1602G, 1602S, 1606E & 1609/1612/1641S}, situated on the Rhône. It is the pope's town, and [it] held the papal see for a while. In this county there are three bishoprics, {1584L, not in 1606E{viz. Carpentoractensis, Caballicensis & Vasionensis}not in 1606E}, where matters of law are also decided upon}1584L}, also called Carpentras, Lisla & Vaurias. In this map is also included the princedom of Orange, so called after Orange, its chief city, famous in the writings of Sidonius and Ptolemæus under the name of Arausio. Plinius and Pomponius call it {not in 1588S and later but included in 1606E{Arausia}not in 1588S and later, but included in 1606E} Secundanorum. COL. ARAVSIO SECVNDANOR. COH. XXXIII. VOLVNT.[settlement of Orange Secundanorum, Cohort 33 of volunteers] is found engraved on an ancient stone. More concerning this region you may read in Belleforest and Thevet}1584L3Add, 1584G3Add, 1584L, 1588S, 1592L, 1595L, 1601L, 1602G, 1602S, 1603L, 1606E, 1608/1612I, 1609/1612L & 1609/1612/1641S end here}.
Now the vernacular version is presented, translated from the 1585 French 3rd Add, 1587 French and 1598 French editions:
49.10. {1585F3Add{The coast of Narbonne in Gaul.
49.11. Guillaume Paradinus describes the most famous and celebrated places of this province as follows: Historians write that Arles was a settlement of people once called Sextanians. This city is situated on the river Rhône and is on all sides surrounded by swamps where nowadays fierce cattle roam. Strabo says that in former times this was the place where markets were held, and that it was renowned for that. Narbonne, he says, which is the sovereign market of the whole province, is situated at the river Ande and lake Narbonne. Near the river Rhône there is a town and a considerable market called Arles. There are hot springs close to Arles where Sextius, (according to the same Strabo) built a town called after him Sextian waters, nowadays called Aix. His intention in building this town was to place a Roman garrison here. Saint Hieronymus writes that the Cimbrians (those from Holsatia and coastal villages) where beaten by Marius.
49.12. Orange was formerly known because of the strength of those coming from Cavallons. We have seen there some ruins of a great amphitheatre and a marvellous wall made cunningly of square stones of a kind that I doubt if there is anything similar in all of France. There is also a triumphal arch at the gate looking towards Lyon engraved with a cavalry battle which we inspected for a long time with great pleasure.
49.13. Here you also find Nîmes, worthy to be seen because of the ancient amphitheatre there, which they call Arenas [sand]. There is something marvellous to be seen there, namely a hole or tunnel under the earth, going all the way under the river Rhône and leading to a place at a considerable distance from there. There is also the palace
of Plotina which emperor Hadrianus ordered to be built there, as Spartianus reports. This we have taken from Paradinus. But Jean Poldo Albenas has diligently written about this city, presenting to your eye pictures of the antiquities there, carefully gathered, and explaining their relations and ancient names. See also what Strabo says in his fourth book, and what Gunther, the poet from Genoa reports. Charles Clusius our friend has provided the original of this map, drawn in manuscript.
49.14. Savoie.
49.15. Savoie is a region on this side of the Alps, the prince of which is called the duke of Savoie. He also possesses the land of Piemont. The capital of Savoie is Chambéry, where the parliament resides. Some think that the name of this land derives from the Sebustiens, or from the Sabatins, but Bouillus proposes another origin for this word, namely that in former times this region was full of crooks who killed and robbed travellers, because the area was very narrow (being in the Alps) and sparsely inhabited. When a certain gentleman obtained this land from the emperor, and turned it into a duchy, he chased all murderers and robbers away by force of arms, and made this land safe again for travellers. And he ordered this land now to be called Sauvoye [safe road] which before had been called Mauvoye [evil road]. If this is a fable or not, I refer to the author.
49.16. But I would also like to add a description of this region which Paradinus presents in his History. This is what he writes: the region which we commonly call Savoiewas once called by the ancients the seigniory and domain of the Allobroges, now called Savoians and Dauphinois. And it contains the region and land once occupied by the Sabbatiens, Ingaunois, Intimeliens, Iconiens, Tricoriens, Vocotiens, Lepontiens, Latobrigiens, Medualles, Centrons, Catoriges, Veragres, Nantuatiens, Salasses, Tharantasiens, & Sedunois, all of which regions have now changed their names and are now referred to as Savoie, the duchy of Geneva, the marquisate of Suse, la Morienne, la Tarantaise, the domains of Brengois, Foucigny, Chablais, Val d'Oste, the land of Vaul, of Geis, and some more. The duchy of Savoie also rules over Piemont which now is a principality, and also the land of Bresse, where you find the counties of Varaz, Montreuil, Pont de Vaulx, Bagey etc.
49.17. It is clear from ancient writings that this land once was a kingdom, particularly at the time of Hannibal who was arbiter between Broncus and his brother, who disagreed about this province. He made peace between them and gave it to the elder in possession, who had been chased away by his younger brother, as Titus Livius reports in his 21st book. L. Florus writes that their king, called Betultus or Bituitus, was once taken prisoner by Q. Fabius Maximus. Various authors from the time of emperor Augustus also mention king Cottius, after whom the Cottian Alps have been named, which are mountains in this country.
49.18. The duchy of Venayscin.
49.19. This duchy, commonly called Venayscin, is located in France, and is part of the region which we now call Provence, and which was formerly called Narbonnoise the second. Its capital city is Avignon on the Rhône. It is under the jurisdiction of the pope and at some time it was their place of residence. There are in this duchy three bishoprics, namely Carpentras, Cauaillon & Vassy, and an equal number of parlements called Carpentras, Lisle & Vaurias. The principality of Orange is also shown on this map, about which more in Belleforest and Thevet}1585F3Add, 1587F & 1598F end here.}.
The vernacular text of the 1598/1610/1613 Dutch edition differs from the texts presented above, and is therefore presented below:
49.20. {1598/1610/1613D{Languedoc and Provence.
49.21. This map only shows the sea coast of the land of Languedoc and the Provence. Languedoc is called as it is because where the other French say ouy for yes, these people say oc. Thus Languedoc simply means the Language of Oc. [according to this reasoning, it should mean the language of yes or OK]. The main cities on this map are Lyon, a very ancient city, pleasantly located on the junction of two rivers, the Saône and the Rhône. It is a large merchant city. Marseille is an old harbour, built by the Greeks a long time ago. Arles on the Rhône was once a big merchant city, as Strabo writes.
49.22. Avignon, built at the same river, is a large and rich city, for some time the see of the popes. Nîmes is an old city with many ancient monuments, such as the amphitheatre or colosseum and the temples, about which Ian Poldo has written an entire book, pleasant to read for those who love ancient structures. In Orange there is also an amphitheatre, and other antiquities, such as triumphal arches and the like.
49.23. Montpellier has a well known university, renowned for its medicine and law all over Europe. Then there are Narbonne and other cities, as the reader will see on this map. Out of friendship, we obtained this small map from Carolus Clusius, doctor in medicine, who designed it on the spot.
49.24. Savoie.
49.25. Savoie is located on this side of the high mountain range called Alps, the prince of which, called the duke of Savoie, is [also] lord of the region of Piemont. Its main city is Chambéry, where the senate or parliament resides. Some people think this region was called as it is after certain people called Sebusiani or, as others suppose, after Sabbatian lords. But Bouillus gives another source for this name. For this region (he says), due to its narrow passages and due to the scarcity of inhabitants used to be infested with thieves, who either robbed or murdered those travellers that passed this way.
49.26. Then a certain nobleman obtained it from the emperor under the title of a dukedom and he expelled by force of arms all those thieves and robbers, and made the route most secure for travellers. This done, he ordered it to be named Salva via, commonly Saulvoy, that is, the safe way, which before that was called Mala via, or also Maulvoy, the evil or dangerous way. So far Carolus Bouillus. Whether it be a fable or a history, I appeal to the author's trustworthiness.
49.27. But here I do not think it amiss to append the description of this province from the history which Paradinus wrote about it. His words are these: that region which in Latin is now called Sabaudia (commonly Savoy) was called Allobroges by ancient writers. It contains the entire area in former times inhabited by the Ingavni, Intimelij, Hiconij, Tricorij, Vocontij, Lepontij, Latobrigi, Medvalli, Centrones, Catoriges, Veragri, Nantuarij, Salassi, Tharantasij and the Seduni. The regions included in it at this moment are named by its inhabitants as follows: Savoy, the county of Geneva, the Marquisette of Susa, the county of Morienne, the baronies of Tharentaise, Brengeois, Foucigni, Chablais, Val de Oste, Pais de Vaul, Pais de Geis and some others.
49.28. The duchy of Savoy commands the region of Piemont, adorned with the title of a princedom. Also the region of Bresse in which you find the counties of Varaz, Mountreuil, Pont de Vaulx, Begey &c. From ancient writings it becomes clear that this region in former times bore the name of a kingdom, particularly in the days of Hannibal who, being appointed as a judge between Bronchus and his brother about the government of this city, resolved their quarrel and restored the kingdom to the eldest, who had been expelled by his younger brother, as Livius reports in his 12th book.
49.29. Florus also states that Betultus (some read it as Betuitus), the king of this place, was taken captive by Q. Fabius Maximus. And various authors refer to king Cottius at the time of emperor Augustus, after whom the neighbouring Alps were called Cottiæ.
49.30. The county of VENACIN.
49.31. The county of Venacin, in Latin called Comitatus Venuxinus and by Cœnalis Veneticus including the community Venacin, is part of the region of France now called Provence, and formerly Narbonensa secunda. Its main city is Avignon, situated on the Rhône. It is the pope's town, and [it] held the papal see for a while. In this county there are three bishoprics, where matters of law are also decided upon, namely Carpentras, Cavaillon and Vaison, also called Carpentras, Lasle and Vaurias.
49.32. In this map is also included the princedom of Orange, so called after Orange, its chief city, famous in the writings of Sidonius and Ptolemæus. More concerning this region you may read in Belleforest and Thevet}1598D/1610/1613 only which ends here}.