XVII. [1] After this, when thirty years had passed in Lavinium, Ascanius recalled that the time had arrived for the founding of a new city, because of the number of piglets that the white sow gave birth to. Having carefully looked around at the neighbouring regions, he surveyed a high mountain which is today known as Albanus, from the city that was founded on it. He built a city and named it Longa for its shape, which was stretched out at length, and Alba, "White", from the colour of the sow.

[2] And when he had transferred the figures of his household gods there, the next day the appeared back in Lavinium; and though they were again taken to Alba and guards posted (but I do not know how many), they took themselves back to Lavinium and their original location again and again. [3] And so no one dared to move them a third time, as is written in the fourth book of the Annals of the Priests, book two of Cincius and Caesar, and book one of Tubero.

[4] After Ascanius had departed from life, there arose contention over the succession of power between his son, Iulus, and Silvius Postumus, who was born of Lavinia, as it was debated whether Aeneas' son or nephew was more suitable. The matter went to arbitration and Silvius was declared king unanimously. [5] The same man's descendants, all with the surname of Silvius, ruled at Alba until the founding of Rome, as is written in the fourth book of the Annals of the Priests. [6] Thus while Latinus Silvius was in power colonies were established at Praeneste, Tibur, Gabii, Tusculum, Cora, Pometia, Labici, Crustumium, Cameria, Bovillae, and other towns all around. ³²