Suetonius In The Reign
Of Domitian, Speaking Of These Naumachia, Says, "Edidit Navales
Pugnas, Pene Justarum Classium, Effosso, Et Circumducto
Juxta
Tyberim lacu, atque inter maximas imbres prospectavit," "He
exhibited naval engagements of almost intire fleets, in an
artificial Lake
Formed for the purpose hard by the Tyber, and
viewed them in the midst of excessive Rains." This artificial
lake was not larger than the piece of water in Hyde-Park; and yet
the historian says, it was almost large enough for real or intire
fleets. How would a British sailor relish an advertisement that a
mock engagement between two squadrons of men of war would be
exhibited on such a day in the Serpentine river? or that the
ships of the line taken from the enemy would be carried in
procession from Hyde-Park-Corner to Tower-wharf? Certain it is,
Lucullus, in one of his triumphs, had one hundred and ten ships
of war (naves longas) carried through the streets of Rome.
Nothing can give a more contemptible idea of their naval power,
than this testimony of their historians, who declare that their
seamen or mariners were formed by exercising small row-boats in
an inclosed pool of fresh water. Had they not the sea within a
few miles of them, and the river Tyber running through their
capital! even this would have been much more proper for
exercising their watermen, than a pond of still-water, not much
larger than a cold-bath. I do believe in my conscience that half
a dozen English frigates would have been able to defeat both the
contending fleets at the famous battle of Actium, which has been
so much celebrated in the annals of antiquity, as an event that
decided the fate of empire.
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