Ficus, Olea, Vitis (Fig. 40): a fig tree, an olive tree, and a grapevine that grew in medio foro at the Lacus Curtius (q.v.). Pliny (Pliny HN 15.78) says that the fig was self-sown, as was also the grape, whereas the olive was planted for the sake of shade, and an altar there was removed at the time of the gladiatorial games for Divus Iulius. On the Plutei Traiani (Nash 2: figs. 902, 905) a fig is shown beside the Statua Marsyae (q.v.), but it is very likely artificial, perhaps of bronze, and has nothing to do with these. A square unpaved area between the pavement inscription of Naevius Surdinus and the bases on which the Plutei were discovered mounted has been taken to be the garden plot of these, but Pliny seems to indicate that they grew on the Lacus itself. This is paved today, but need not have been completely paved in Pliny's day.

Nash 1.397, and cf. 542-43; GV 95-102.