Two decorated views near the town of Cumae, near Naples, Italy. The upper view depicts the grotto of Cumaean Sibyl with two figures in the foreground discussing the scene. These are the cartographer Abraham Ortelius and the engraver George Hoefnagel. According to the inscription nearby they are doubting that Lake Averno was the reputed entrance to Hades according to Virgil's Aeneid. The lower view shows the Cave of Dogs so named because of the poisonous sulphur fumes that emanated from it. The 'Civitates Orbis Terrarum' was compiled by George Braun (1541-1622) the Canon of Cologne Cathedral. Braun produced a total of over 500 city views and maps published in six parts between 1572 and 1617. Most of the engraving was the work of Simon Novellanus and Frans Hogenberg (1535-1590), many after drawings by Hoefnagel. Published in the third volume with Latin text in 1581. Koeman II B & H 3 no. 57.