Alpes
（
Ἄλπεις). A name derived probably from the Keltic
alb or
alp, “a height.” The
mountains forming the boundary of northern Italy, which were distinguished by the following
names. We enumerate them in order from west to east.
1.
Alpes Maritimae, the Maritime or Ligurian Alps, from Genua (Genoa), where the Apennines
begin, run west as far as the river Varus (Var), and then north to Mt. Vesulus (Monte Viso),
one of the highest points of the Alps.
2.
Alpes Cottiae or Cottianae, the Cottian Alps (so called from a King Cottius in the time of
Augustus), from Monte Viso to Mont Cenis, contained Mt. Matrona, afterwards called Mt. Ianus
or Ianua (Mont Genèvre), across which Cottius constructed a road, which became the
chief means of communication between Italy and Gaul.
3.
Alpes Graiae, also Saltus Graius (the name is probably Keltic, and has nothing to do with
Greece), the Graian Alps, from Mont Cenis to the Little St. Bernard inclusive, contained the
Iugum Cremonis (le Cramont) and the Centronicae Alpes, apparently the Little St.
Bernard and the surrounding mountains. The Little St. Bernard, which is sometimes called
Alpis Graia, is probably the pass by which Hannibal crossed the Alps; the road over it, which
was improved by Augustus, led to Augusta (Aosta) in the territory of the Salassi.
4.
Alpes Penninae, the Pennine Alps, from the Great St. Bernard to the Simplon inclusive, the
highest portion of the chain, including Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, and Mont Cervin. The Great
St. Bernard was called Mons Penninus, and on its summit the inhabitants worshipped a deity
whom the Romans called Iupiter Penninus. The name is probably derived from the Keltic
pen, “a height.”
5.
Alpes Lepontiorum or Lepontiae, the Lepontian or Helvetian Alps, from the Simplon to the
St. Gothard.
6.
Alpes Rhaeticae, the Rhaetian Alps, from the St. Gothard to the Orteler by the pass of the
Stelvio. Mt. Adula is usually supposed to be the St. Gothard.
7.
Alpes Tridentinae, the mountains of southern Tyrol, in which the Athesis (Adige) rises,
with the pass of the Brenner.
8.
Alpes Noricae, the Noric Alps, northeast of the Tridentine Alps, comprising the mountains
in the neighbourhood of Salzburg.
9.
Alpes Carnicae, the Carnic Alps, east of the Tridentine, and south of the Noric, to Mt.
Terglu.
10.
Alpes Iuliae, the Alps, from Mt. Terglu to the commencement of the Illyrian or Dalmatian
mountains, which are known by the name of the Alpes Pannonicae. The Alpes Iuliae were so
called because Iulius Caesar or Augustus constructed roads across them. They are also called
Alpes Venetae.
