Viriāthus, a mean shepherd of Lusitania, who gradually rose to power, and by first heading a gang of robbers, saw himself at last followed by a numerous army. He made war against the Romans with uncommon success, and for 14 years enjoyed the envied title of protector of public liberty in the provinces of Spain. Many generals were defeated, and Pompey himself was ashamed to find himself beaten. Cæpio was at last sent against him. But his despair of conquering him by force of arms, obliged him to have recourse to artifice, and he had the meanness to bribe the servants of Viriathus to murder their master, B.C. 40. Florus, bk. 2, ch. 17.—Valerius Maximus, bk. 6, ch. 4.—Livy, bks. 52 & 54.
Viridomărus, a young man of great power among the Ædui. Cæsar greatly honoured him, but he fought at last against the Romans. Cæsar, Gallic War, bk. 7, ch. 39, &c.
Viriplāca, a goddess among the Romans who presided over the peace of families, whence her name (virum placare). If any quarrel happened between a man and his wife, they generally repaired to the temple of the goddess, which was erected on the Palatine mount, and came back reconciled. Valerius Maximus, bk. 2, ch. 1.
Virro, a fictitious name introduced in Juvenal’s fifth satire.
Virtus. All virtues were made deities among the Romans. Marcellus erected two temples, one to Virtue, and the other to Honour. They were built in such a manner, that to see the temple of Honour it was necessary to pass through that of Virtue; a happy allegory among a nation free and independent. The principal Virtues were distinguished, each by their attire. Prudence was known by her rule, and her pointing to a globe at her feet; Temperance had a bridle; Justice had an equal balance, and Fortitude leant against her sword; Honesty was clad in a transparent vest; Modesty appeared veiled; Clemency wore an olive branch, and Devotion threw incense upon an altar; Tranquillity was seen to lean on a column; Health was known by her serpent, Liberty by her cap, and Gaiety by her myrtle. Cicero, de Natura Deorum, bk. 2, ch. 23.—Plautus, Amphitruo, Prologue.—Livy, bk. 29, ch. 11.—Valerius Maximus, bk. 1, ch. 1.—Augustine, City of God, bk. 4, ch. 20.
Visargis, a river of Germany, now called the Weser, and falling into the German ocean. Varus and his legions were cut to pieces there by the Germans. Velleius Paterculus, bk. 2, ch. 105.—Tacitus, Annals, bk. 1, ch. 70; bk. 2, ch. 9.
Viscellæ, now Weltz, a town of Noricum, between the Ens and Mure.
Spurius Cassius Viscellinus, Cicero, De Amicitia, ch. 11.
Visellia lex, was made by Visellius Varro the consul, A.U.C. 776, to restrain the introduction of improper persons into the offices of the state.
Lucius Visellius Varro, a lieutenant in Germany under Tiberius. Tacitus, Annals, bk. 3, ch. 41; bk. 4, ch. 17.