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Welcome to the island of Issa, welcome to the reed covered shores of one of the lakes that survived the drainage of Lacus Velinus, a nine miles' ride northwest of Reate. Surrounded by rich fertile land, interrupted by stretches of rocks and, of course, marshes. Take a deep breath, look around and enjoy the spectacular sight of green hills and high slopes of the Montes Gurgures mirroring in the calm waters around you. About three miles away is the village of Maruvium, another two miles farther down the road are the Septem Aquae, one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Rosea rura.
In the days of my ancestors, a small town by the same name was located on the island of Issa. It is long gone, ravaged and burnt by the countless campaigns the land has witnessed throughout time. Issa had never been fortified by man in any way as the natives were of the opinion the marshy lands were protection enough and had also placed great faith in Issa's patron goddess, Vacuna.
The sacred grove of Vacuna and the fanum are still intact, despite the fact that the Goddess had turned a blind eye to the pleas of our forefathers when the enemies laid waste to the land around lake Velinus. The town of Issa was destroyed, the island abandoned for several decades. Until it was given to one of my ancestors as a bonus when he bought large quantities of land on the fertile hills nearby. According to family gossip, he nearly refused:
"The only thing it is good for is breeding midges."
However, he didn't start cultivating midges; according to what little I remember of him, most likely only because their prospective market value wasn't really promising. Given his initial attitude, it isn't quite clear why he had quite extensive olive groves planted on Issa that still cover about half of the island.
Probably the most special feature of Issa is its small, sulphurous spring, much like the ones in Aquae Cutiliae, yet Issa isn't large enough to support a public bath and accomodation for many guests. Its waters were only used for drinking and some of it bottled up for treatment until my grandfather decided to assign P. Iunius Syrus et Filii of Reate (the best building contractors outside of Rome and still in business!) with the construction of a luxurious bath for family and friends.
Let Phryxus here take you on a tour around the island once you have refreshed yourself.
Sources:
• "Sabinium in the Roman Era" by M. Fabius Furius & Mauricius Fabius •
• Their splendid research sources on the Reate page •
• A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, 1875 •
• Pierer's Universal Lexikon •
Images:
• Backgrounds Issa "Understated" by EOS Development •
• Backgrounds Villa Olivifera by The Inspiration Gallery •
• Issa icon by herzogbr, used under Creative Commons License •
• Mastheads by Spurius, using a mural from Villa Livia at Prima Porta •
• Olive press from Wikimedia Commons, released into public domain by its owner •
• Grain mill and kitchen scene: © bonho1962, taken at the British Museum •
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