GAETA, Cr GA IETA, the Cajeta of the ancients, is the name of a sea port town of Italy, in the kingdom of Naples, and province of Lavora. It is situated on a peninsula, which is joined to the mainland by a narrow isthmus. The fortress. which was erected by Ferdinand 11. of Arragon, stands upon the rocky promontory ; and when seen from ola, is forms a very striking object, with its white ram parts presenting to the eye, one above the other, its stages of angles and batteries. The sea floats into its moats, which are both broad and deep. its harbour, which is well de scribed by Homer, still exhibits the same character. It was anciently repaired by A ntonintis Pius. The streets of the town are neatly built and \veil paved ; the houses are built on porticos ; and the general appearance of the town is lively within, and picturesque without. " The cathedral," says Mr Eustace, " though not large, nor highly decorated, is Avell proportioned, well lighted, and, by the elevation of th( choir, admi:.ably calculated for public worship. The
font is a fine antique vase of white marble, with basso re licvos, representing Athamas, I no with a child in her arms, and a group of Bacchantes. The sculptor was an Athe nian; but such a vase is better calculated for a gallery of antiques than for the place where it now stands. Opposite the great portal of the cathedral rises an antique column, marked with the names of the winds in Greek and Latin.
The tomb of Munatius Plancus stands upon a bold emi nence, on the neck of land which joins the peninsula to the continent. Like that of Adrian, it is round, stripped of its marble casing, and converted into a tower with battlements. The gulf abounds with fish, particularly sturgeon, from which caviar is made. Gaeta is the see of a bishop, suffra gan of Capua. Distance front Naples 40 miles north west ; from Mola four miles by land, and two by water. East Long. 13° 28', North Lat. 41° 15'. See Homer Odyss. x: 107 ; and Eustace's Travels, vol. i. p. 475.