Of very remote origin is this city of the Volsci, as evidenced by the cyclopean walls. Not far from the site of the present-day town, Atina took part in History when it was conquered by the Romans in 441 BC. Later, claimed by the Samnites, it again fell under Roman control, suffering devastation at the hands of the consuls L. Papirius and Spurius Carvilius in 459 BC. It seems that Atina became a Roman prefecture, a status it retained until the final days of the Republic. Once granted citizenship, it was enrolled in the Terentine tribe after the Social War. The last historical record of Atina refers to the colony founded by Nero.
From the walls still visible today one can grasp the extent of ancient Atina: there were no fewer than seven gates. Numerous public buildings adorned the city: near the Forum stood the temple of Saturn (later consecrated to St. Cataldo), temples dedicated to Jupiter (later transformed into the church of St. Peter) and to Diana (corresponding to today’s church of St. Silvestro). The Chronicle of Atina also recalls an amphitheatre, a basilica, and many other buildings now lost.
In the Forum stood statues of distinguished citizens, such as that of Q. Erius Giustus, who left an annual sum to the poor people of Atina, and that of Junia Cratilla, honored for her chastity. A Latin inscription preserves her memory.
OB PVDICITIAM IVNIAE
CRATILLAE ATINATE PVBLICAE
STATVAM PONENDAM CENSVE
RVNT ET STOLAM DEDERVNT
QVAM IVNIVS SYRIARCHES CVM
FILIIS EXHORNAVIT DEDICAVITQVEAmong the most remarkable remains of Atina is a mosaic discovered in 1760, judged by Winckelmann to be one of the finest ever made, both for the delicacy of its execution and for the mythological subject depicted.
On the mountain overlooking the city still stand the remains of the ancient acropolis, as well as pyramidal tombs near the church of St. Marcianus. Around Atina rose villages and villas that, judging from the ruins, testify to the ancient importance and greatness of this city.
This version has been adapted into modern English from the text published in “Il Regno delle Due Sicilies, described and illustrated” by Filippo Cirelli (1853–1859)
