Lucrine Lake
Lucrine Lake, also known as Lago Lucrino or Maricello, is a shallow half-salt lagoon located near Baiae along the northwestern shore of the Gulf of Cumae in the Bay of Naples, Italy. It is historically significant, having been described by the geographer Strabo as a "gulf" and associated with various mythological tales, including one involving Heracles. In the early first century BC, Gaius Sergius Orata, recognized for his developments in fishing and oyster farming, notably enhanced the lagoon’s economy and infrastructure, including the introduction of hypocaust heating systems in local villas. One of these villas belonged to Cicero, where he composed notable works while hosting influential figures like Julius Caesar. The area later became integral to naval operations during the conflicts involving Octavian and Sextus Pompeius, leading to the construction of the Portus Julius harbor. Historically much larger than its current state, Lucrine Lake has largely diminished due to geological events, particularly an earthquake in 1538 that formed Monte Nuovo. Remnants of its luxurious past, including traces of swimming pools and ancient thermal baths, continue to draw interest from historians and visitors alike.
Lucrine Lake
(Lago Lucrino or Maricello)
A shallow half-salt lagoon near Baiae (Baia), beside the northwestern shore of the Gulf of Cumae (Bay of Naples). Described by Strabo as a `gulf,’ it is separated from the sea by a narrow spit containing the Via Herculanea, over which, according to a mythological tale, Heracles (Hercules) drove the oxen of Geryon across swampland. (Another story called the Lucrine Lake the Acherusian Lake [entrance to Acheron, in the underworld], a name which was more generally attached to Lake Avernus, qv). In the early first century BC Gaius Sergius Orata, known as the `Golden Trout,’ developed a fishing (bass) and oyster industry on the Lucrine Lake that became profitable and famous. He also experimented in hypocaustic (heating) arrangements at one of the villas in which the area abounded. These villas included the `Academia’ or `Cumanum’ of Cicero, in which he wrote parts of the Academica and Republic and entertained Caesar. Soon afterward hot springs were discovered on the site, and the mansion became imperial property.
During the wars of Octavian (the future Augustus) against Sextus Pompeius (son of Pompey the Great) in 37–36, Octavian's admiral Agrippa constructed a great harbor, the Portus Julius, by cutting canals that linked the Lucrine Lake with the Gulf of Cumae to its south and Lake Avernus (Averno) to its north. The Lucrine Lake, which has largely disappeared beneath Monte Nuovo—a hill which was thrown up by an earthquake in 1538—was much more extensive in ancient times than it is now; although too shallow for large ships, it was suitable for the training of oarsmen.
Horace, Juvenal and Martial celebrated the luxurious amenities of the region. Beside the banks of the lake the traces of two swimming pools are to be seen, and a little to the south there are the so-called Stoves of Nero (Stufe di Nerone, or di Tritoli), sweat baths cut out of the rock to facilitate the therapeutic use of vapors emanating from the volcanic soil.