CHAP. 2.—THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF COPPER.
The ore is extracted in the mode that has been described above,1222 and is then purified by fusion. The metal is also obtained from a coppery stone called “cadmia.”1223 The most highly esteemed copper is procured from beyond seas: it was formerly obtained in Campania also, and at present is found in the country of the Bergomates,1224 at the extremity of Italy. It is said to have been lately discovered also in the province of Germany.
(2.) In Cyprus, where copper was first discovered, it is also procured from another stone, which is called “chalcitis.”1225 This, however, was afterwards considered of little value, a better kind having been found in other regions, especially that called “aurichalcum,”1226 which was long in high request, on account of its excellent quality; but none of it has been found for this long time, the earth having been quite exhausted. The kind which was next in value was the Sallustian,1227 procured from the Alpine district of the Centrones;1228 but this did not last long, and was succeeded by the Livian, in Gaul. They both took their names from the owners of the mines; the former a friend of the Emperor Augustus, the latter that emperor’s wife.1229 They soon failed, however, and in the Livian even there is now found but a very small quantity of ore. That which is at present held in the highest estimation is the Marian, likewise known as the Corduban;1230 next to the Livian, this kind most readily absorbs cadmia, and becomes almost as excellent as aurichalcum1231 for making sesterces and double asses,1232 the Cyprian copper being thought good enough for the as. Thus much concerning the natural qualities of this metal.