Lausonius Lacus

Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography

LAUSO´NIUS LACUS in the country of the Helvetii. The Antonine Itin. has a road from Mediolanum ( Milan) through Geneva to Argentoratum ( Strassburg). Sixteen Roman miles from Geneva, on the road to Strassburg, the Itin. has Equestris, which is Colonia Equestris or Noviodunum ( Nyon); and the next place is Lacus Lausonius, 20 Roman miles from Equestris. To the next station, Urba (Orbe), is 18 Roman miles. In the Table the came is Lacum Losonne,and the distances from Geneva to Colonia Equestris and Lacum Losonne are respectively 18 M.P., or 36 together. The Lacus Lausonius is supposed to be Lausanne, on the Lake of Geneva;or rather a place or district, as D'Anville calls it, named Vidi.The distance from Geneva to Nyon, along the lake, is about 15 English miles; and from Nyonto Lausanne, about 22 or 23 miles. The distance from Geneva to Nyonis nearly exact; but the 20 miles from Equestris to the Lacus Lausonius is not enough. If Vidi, which is west of Lausanne, is assumed to be the place, the measures will agree better. D'Anville cites M. Bochat as authority for an inscription, with the name Lousonnenses, having been dug up at Vidi, in 1739; and he adds that there are remains there. (Comp. Ukert's note, Gallien, p. 491.)
[G.L]

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