Visentium

Visentium (also spelled Bisentium, Italian Bisenzio^[1]) was the Latin name of one of the minor Etruscan cities. It was a boundary settlement on the southwestern shore of the Lago di Bolsena^[2] and was settled from the Final Bronze Age until the Archaic period.^[1]

The Etruscan name for Visentium was Vesnth, or Vishnth. It was called Visentium after the settlement was conquered by the Romans in 280 B.C.^[2] During the Classical period, it fell under the orbit of the city of Tarquinia.^[3] The artifacts such as urns and other grave goods excavated from its various necropoleis are said to indicate its importance during the Iron Age and the Orientalizing period.^[3] These provided insights on the settlers' dwellings and perishable belongings, which augmented their pottery and metal works.^[3] The artifacts, particularly, the bronze objects also suggest that Visentium was influenced by Vulci.^[4]

Legacy

The Italianized 'modern' form Bisenzio gave its name to:

• a Tuscan river, the Bisenzio;
• a medieval Latin bishopric, which soon was renamed Roman Catholic Diocese of Castro del Lazio.