CAMPAGNA DI ROMA, kam-pli'nyft de. & Ma (lt., plain of Rome). An undulating, un cultivated, and unhealthful plain of Italy sur rounding Rome, including the greatest part of ancient Latium. Applying the name in a broad sense to the district extending from of Civita Vecchia, to Terracina, beyond the l'ontine Marshes, its length is about 00 miles, and its breadth inland, to the Alban and Sabine hills, ranges from about 25 to 40 miles. A broad strip of sandy plain skirts the Mediter ranean. The ground, which never rises higher than •00 feet above the sea, is almost entirely vol canic, and the lakes represent craters of ex tinct volcanoes. The vapors rising from this district, and especially from the Solfatara (q.v.), produce the pestilential atmosphere styled aria cattira. The number of inhabitants is very small, and in summer they are driven from the Campagna di Roma by its pestilential air, and seek shelter in Rome and other neighboring places. In autumn. herdsmen descend from the Apennines to the Campagna di Roma with their herds, the pasture in some parts being rich and abundant. I'ntil the Fifth and Sixth centuries
A.D. the Campagna di Roma was well inhabited, though not very healthful. In the last century of the Roman Republic and under the emperors, it was filled with the luxurious villas of wealthy Romans. The invasion of the barbarians be gan the devastation of the Campagna di Roma, and the insecurity of the region during the Middle Ages and the failure oflhe water-supply led to its gradual depopulation and the increase of the malignant conditions. During recent years, improved drainage, the planting of euca lyptus trees, and other works undertaken by the Government have done much to make the Cam pagna di Roma more healthful and lead to its gradual reclamation. The peculiar scenic aspects of the Campagna, with its many remains of Ro man structures, combined with the characteristic atmospheric effects, have rendered it an inspir ing subject for painters.