16

HISTORY OF MALTA.

the Maltese had seldom any share. A person high in the mili-tary line was appointed to execute the laws, to maintain aproper police, and to defend the island. The poverty of thispeople was so great, that Sicily was obliged to furnish them ata very moderate price ivith the common necessaries of life : itwas therefore impossible to tax them highly; so that in 1516the two islands of Malta and Goza only paid the trifling sumof forty-one ducats to the treasury.

Goza and Cumin were always attached to the fate ofMalta: the ancient name of the former is unknown ; but it wascalled Gaulos whilst in the possession of the Greeks. Cuminwas distinguished by the name of Hephcestias.

Among the most remarkable monuments at Goza, are theremains of an edifice built with enormous stones, commonlycalled the Giant’s Tower; various medals, one of which bearsa helmet, with a crescent under it, on one side; and on theother a warrior with a buckler and javelin, having in front astar, and behind the word Gauliton (PI. I. fig. 2). This designatesCastor and Pollux, divinities ever favourable to mariners. Thereare likewise a variety of inscriptions preserved in the castle,together with a mutilated statue. Julia Augusta, the motherof Tiberius, is named Ceres in one of these inscriptions uponmarble. A very curious monument found at Goza, and preservedin the museum at Malta, is a small bronze figure (PL III. fig.3 and 4), representing a lame beggar* without a beard, seated

* See Chap. IV.