Matricem

MATRICEM, AD, a considerable town in Illyricum, which the Peutinger Table places between Bistue Vetus and Bistue Nova, 20 M. P. from the former, and 25 M. P. from the latter. It must be identical with Mostar, the chief town of Herzegóvina, standing on both banks of the Narenta, connected by the beautiful bridge for which it has always been celebrated. The towers of this bridge are, according to tradition, on Roman substructions, and its construction is attributed to Trajan, or, according to some, Hadrian. The word moststar,s ignifies old bridge.( Wilkinson, Dalmatia, vol. ii. pp. 57--63; Neigebaur, Die Süd-Slaven, p. 127.)