MODI´CIA
MODI´CIA (Monza), a city of Cisalpine Gaul, situated on the river Lambrus, about 12 miles N. of Milan, the name of which is not found during the period of the Roman Empire, and it was probably in [p. 2.365]those days a mere village, or at least a dependency of Mediolanum; but the Gothic king Theodoric constructed a palace there, and made it his summer residence. It continued to be a favourite abode of the Lombard kings, and Queen Theodolinda founded a Basilica there, which has ever since been one of the most celebrated churches in the N. of Italy, and still contains many interesting relics of the celebrated Lombard queen. (P. Diac. Hist. Lang. 4.22. 49.)[E.H.B]