Velzna

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Velzna was an Etruscan city in central Italy, the last Etruscan city to be taken by the Romans. It was conquered by the Roman consul Marcus Fulvius Flaccus in 264 BC.

The Byzantine historian Joannes Zonaras states that after the Roman conquest, the population of Velzna was relocated to a new city, named Volsinii (a Latinization of Velzna), and the original city of Velzna was destroyed.

The location of Etruscan Velzna is unknown. The most accepted opinion is that Orvieto is the original Velzna, Volsinii vetus (Old Volsinii) for the Romans, and that, after the destruction of Velzna in 264 BC, the inhabitants were relocated to Bolsena, Volsinii novi (New Volsinii) for the Romans. These two modern towns are only 20 km (12 mi.) apart, and many Etruscan ruins have been found in the entire area.

[edit] Roman Volsinii

The history of Volsinii during the Roman era is somewhat scanty. It was the birthplace of Sejanus, praetorian prefect under Tiberius, and Musonius Rufus the Stoic.

Volsinii eventually became the modern Italian city of Bolsena.