Plutarch's Romane Questions · Plutarch
69.
_What is the cause that in auncient time_, _at the feast called_ Septimontium, _they observed precisely not to use any coaches drawen with steeds, no more than those doe at this day, who are observant of old institutions and doe not despise them. Now this_ Septimontium _is a festivall solemnity, celabrated in memoriall of a seventh mountaine, that was adjoined and taken into the pourprise of_ Rome _citie, which by this meanes came to have seven hilles enclosed within the precinct thereof_? WHETHER was it as some Romans doe imagine, for that the city was not as yet conjunct and composed of all her parts? Or if this may seeme an impertinent conjecture, and nothing to the purpose: may it not be in this respect, that they thought they had atchieved, a great piece of worke, when they had thus amplified and enlarged the compasse of the citie, thinking that now it needed not to proceed any further in greatnesse and capacitie: in consideration whereof, they reposed themselves, and caused likewise their labouring beasts of draught and cariage to rest, whose helpe they had used in finishing of the said enclosure, willing that they also should enjoy in common with them, the benefit of that solemne feast. Or else we may suppose by this, how desirous they were that their citizens should solemnize and honour with their personall presence all feasts of the citie, but especially that which was ordeined and instituted for the peopling and augmenting thereof: for which cause they were not permitted upon the day of the dedication, and festival memorial of it, to put any horses in geeres or harnesse for to draw; for that they were not at such a time to ride forth of the citie.
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