On the north slope of the Quirinal, at the foot of the Temple of Quirinus, some patrician mansions were giving a high luxury reputation to this district. Here the House of Ap. Silvius Junius Silvinus can be identified, with its huge inside basin.













The north façade of the Temple of Quirinus allowed the access to several platforms of which the first one was occupied by a small building which could be used as a lodge or a temple. Called Pulvinar solis, it might have been in connection with the Temple of Quirinus.




















Close to the House of Silvius Silvinus, stood another great Villa, that of Plautian, more famous than Silvinus due to the fact that he was prefect of the prætorium under Septimius-Severus.



























The Capitolium Vetus in the centre of the picture was built on a high buttress that hence gave it the shape of a Capitolium. Built on the Quirinal, it is known to have been the old Capitol. You could find there the first temples of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. The Capitolium Vetus seen under another angle.
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At the foot of the Capitolium Vetus stood another great Domus, the House of Alfenius Ceionius Julianus Kamenius, known for having been one of the fathers of the cult of Mithras in Rome. It was a vast mansion with great gardens.
















Coming from Sallust’s gardens, a brook called aqua Sallustiana flew down to the valley, between the Quirinal and the Pincio. It cleared its way, sometimes underground, sometimes in the open air, between the great gardens and the luxury mansions. Here we have it in a birds eye view.

















Still on the north side, in the highest part of the Quirinal, appears one of the most prestigious estates which was built in Cæsar’s time Sallust’s Gardens, Horti Sallustiani. A historian and Cæsar’s friend, he let build on the Quirinal this estate comprising palaces and gardens which made him more famous than his works as historian or politician supporting Cæsar.



















In the middle of the picture Flora’s Circus. It was in the VIth region, in a depression between the Quirinal and the Pincio. There were celebrated the floral games. Today at this place is the Piazza Barberini.



















Flora’s Circus belonged to a large complex including baths and a cryptoportico (or closed galleries). The aqua Sallustiana turns around the large mansions.



















A canopus canalized the aqua Sallustiana right along the large Sallust’s hippodrome. The great obelisk of the hippodrome stands nowadays in front of the church Trinità dei Monti, on the piazza di Spagna.






















Sallust’s Palace. The government of Numidy brought to Sallust a colossal fortune, and thanks to this wealth he built this palace and all its dependences, which you can see on the Quirinal. He ended his days there sumptuously as a historian.