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vehementissumum sidus. Et VIII kal. Octobres aequinoctialis evenit acerba tempestas,
circa nonas vero Octobres aeduli pluviales, V idus easdem Taurus. A ovembri autem
mense crebris tempestatibus navigia conturbat Vergiliarum hiemalis occasus. Ex die
igitur tertio idus ovembres usque in diem sextum idus Martias maria clauduntur. am
lux minima noxque prolixa, nubium densitas, aeris obscuritas, ventorum imbri vel nivibus
geminata saevitia non solum classes a pelago sed etiam commeantes a terrestri itinere
deturbat. Post natalem vero, ut ita dicam, navigationis, qui sollemni certamine
publicoque spectaculo multarum urbium celebratur, plurimorum siderum ipsiusque
temporis ratione usque in idus Maias periculose maria temptantur, non quo negotiatorum
cesset industria, sed quia maior adhibenda cautela est, quando exercitus navigat cum
liburnis, quam cum privatorum mercium festinat audacia.
In what months it is safer to be at sea. The analysis of the months and days follows.
The roughness of the sea does not allow to sail for the entire year. Some months are the
most favorable, others are dangerous, the remaining ones are too dangerous for the ships
due to the laws of nature.
Past Pachnitae –in other words after the constellation of the Pleiads has risen- from
May 27 until the rise of Arcturus –in other words September 14– it is safe to be at sea,
because the strength of the winds is mitigated by the grace of the summer.
After this time and until November 10 it is not safe to be at sea. The length of the
day is shorter because after September 13 Arcturus rises, baleful star, and on September 24
the unpleasant equinoctial season begins. Around October 7 the winds carriers of rain
come, and on the 15 th day of the same month the constellation of Taurus rises.
During the month of November, on the other hand, the winter disappearance of the
Pleiads causes trouble to the ships because of the heavy rain. Therefore, from November
10 until March 10 the sea is unaccessible. The short daylight, the length of the night, the
thickness of the clouds, the darkness of the air, and the strength of the winds twice as
destructive due to the rain and to the snow, not only keeps the ships away from the sea, but
also the travelers from a terrestrial trip.
After the day -so to speak- navigation was born, that is celebrated in several cities
according to the position of the stars and time of the year with public games and races,
until May 15, the sea can be sailed at the sailors’ own risk. It is not necessary to stop the
trade of merchandises, but, since the fleet uses liburnian ships, it is necessary to be more
careful than private merchants usually are. (L. Campana).
Verg. Aen. 3.551-3: Hinc sinus Herculei (si vera est fama) Tarenti / cernitur; attolit se
diva Lacinia contra, / Caulonisque arces et navifragium Scylaceum.
Next is descried the bay of Tarentum, a town of Hercules, if the tale be true; while
over against it rise the Lacinian goddess, the towers of Caulon and the shipwrecking
Scylaceum. (H. Rushton Fairclough).
Verg. Aen. 12.715-7: Ac velut ingenti Sila summove Taburno / cum duo conversis inimica
in proelia tauri / frontibus incurrunt…
And as on the mighty Sila or on Taburnus’ height two bulls charge, brow to brow,
in mortal battle… (H. Rushton Fairclough).
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