PORTA TRIGEMINA
an important gate, and one frequently mentioned in ancient literature, in the Servian wall between the Aventine and the Tiber, in Region XI (Not.; Frontinus i. 5; Solin. i. 8; Dionys. i. 32. 2, 39. 4; de vir. ill. 65; Liv. xli. 27. 8). The exact site is a matter of dispute, since the line of the wall has not yet been determined in this quarter. Some place it below the present church of S. Sabina (LF 34; Jord. i. I. 235; Gilb. ii. 296); others about 40 metres south of S. Maria in Cosmedin, where an arch of tufa, 3.30 metres wide, over a paved road, was found in 1886 (NS 1886, 274; BC 1888, 20-22; Mel. 1909, 129-132; AJA 1918, 175-176; TF 95, 96); and others still at the north corner of the Aventine, near S. Anna dei Calzettari, about halfway between the other two points (KH i.; Mitt. 1889, 260; for a presentation of all the different views and their literature, see Merlin, 96-97, 125-126, and cf. MURUS SERVII TULLII). The last of these theories is the most probable.The name is best explained by supposing that the gate had three openings, to accommodate the heavy traffic of this district and of the VIA OSTIENSIS (q.v.) (cf., however, Richter 46). Just outside it was a favourite resort for beggars (Plaut. Capt. 90), and a statue of L. Minucius (Liv. iv. 16. 2; vid. s.v.), which has led some to identify porta Trigemina with PORTA MINUCIA (q.v.); see also porticus extra portam Trigeminam. A few inscriptions, on which the name of this gate occurs, have been found (CIL vi. 9488, 9515,1 9618; for forged lamps with similar inscriptions, see Mitt. 1892, 144).