The Apennines, which are a continuation of the Alps, extend through
the whole of the peninsula. Starting in the Maritime Alps, they extend
easterly towards the Adriatic coast, and turn southeasterly hugging
the coast through its whole extent. This conformation of the country
causes the rivers of any size below the basin of the Po to flow into
the Tyrrhenian (Tuscan) Sea, rather than into the Adriatic.

Northern Italy, between the Alps and the Apennines, is drained by the
Padus (Po) and its tributaries. It was called GALLIA CISALPÍNA (Gaul
this side of the Alps), and corresponds in general to modern Lombardy.
The little river Athesis, north of the Padus, flows into the Adriatic.
Of the tributaries of the Padus, the Ticínus on the north, and the
Trebia on the south, are of historical interest.

The portion of Northern Italy bordering on the Mediterranean is a
mountainous district, and was called LIGURIA. In this district on the
coast were Genua and Nicaea. The district north of the Athesis,
between the Alps and the Adriatic, was called VENETIA, from which
comes the name Venice. Here were located Patavium (Padua), Aquileia,
and Forum Julii.

Gallia Cisalpína contained many flourishing towns. North of the Padus
were Veróna, Mediolánum (Milan), Cremóna, Mantua, Andes, and
Vercellae, a noted battle-field. South of this river were Augusta
Taurinórum (Turin), Placentia, Parma, Mutina, and Ravenna. The
Rubicon, a little stream flowing into the Adriatic, bounded Gallia
Cisalpína on the southeast. The Mucra, another little stream, was the
southern boundary on the other side of Italy.

CENTRAL ITALY, _Italia Propria_, or Italy Proper, included all of