Lătium

, a country of Italy near the river Tiber. It was originally very circumscribed, extending only from the Tiber to Circeii, but afterwards it comprehended the territories of the Volsci, Æqui, Hernici, Ausones, Umbri, and Rutuli. The first inhabitants were called Aborigines , and received the name of Latini, from Latin us their king. According to others the word is derived from lateo , to conceal , because Saturn concealed himself there when flying the resentment of his son Jupiter. Lauren tum was the capital of the country in the reign of Latin us, Lavinium under Æneas, and Alba under As can i us. See: Alba . The Latins, though originally known only among their neighbours, soon rose in consequence when Romulus had founded the city of Rome in their country. Virgil , Æneid , bk. 7 , li. 38 ; bk. 8 , li. 322 .— Strabo , bk. 5 .— Dionysius of Halicarna us. — Justin , bk. 20 , ch. 1 .— Plutarch , Romulus .— Pliny , bk. 3 , ch. 12 .— Tacitus , bk. 4 , Annals , ch. 5 .