Volsinii, or Vulsinii (now Bolsena). Called Velsina, or Velsuna, by the Etruscans, one of the most ancient and most powerful of the twelve cities of the Etruscan Confederation, was situated on a lofty hill on the northeastern extremity of the lake called after it, Lacus Volsiniensis and Vulsiniensis (now Lago di Bolsena). Volsinii is first mentioned in 392 B.C., when its inhabitants invaded Roman territory, but were easily defeated by the Romans, and were glad to purchase a twenty years’ truce on humiliating terms. The Volsiniensis also carried on war with the Romans in 311, 294, and 280, but were on each occasion defeated, and in the last of these years appear to have been finally subdued. On their final subjugation their city was razed to the ground by the Romans, and its inhabitants were compelled to settle on a less defensible site in the plain.
Voltigeurs. Are picked companies of irregular riflemen in the French regiments. They are selected for courage, great activity, and small stature. It is their privilege to lead the attack.
Volturno. A river of Naples, which rises in the province of Sannio or Molise, and, after a course of 90 miles, falls into the Gulf of Gaeta 20 miles from Naples. A great battle was fought on the banks of this river in 1800, between the troops of Francis II., king of Naples, and the followers of Garibaldi.
Volunteers. See [Militia].
Vorant. In heraldry, a term applied to an animal represented as swallowing another; as, sable, a dolphin naiant, vorant a fish proper.
Vossem, Peace of. Between the elector of Brandenburg and Louis XIV. of France; the latter engaged not to assist the Dutch against the elector; signed June 6, 1673.
Votes. See [Finding].
Vougle, or Vouillé (Southwest France; near Poitiers). Here Alaric, king of the Visigoths, was defeated and slain by Clovis, king of France, 507. Clovis immediately after subdued the whole country from the Loire to the Pyrenees, and thus his kingdom became firmly established. A peace followed between the Franks and the Visigoths, who had been settled above one hundred years in that part of Gaul called Septimania.
Vulned. A heraldic term, applied to an animal, or part of an animal,—as, for example, a human heart, wounded, and with the blood dropping from it.
Vulnerable. Susceptive of wounds; liable to external injuries; capable of being taken; as, the town is extremely vulnerable in such a quarter. It is also applied to military dispositions; as, the army was vulnerable in the centre, etc. An assemblage of men without arms, or with arms but without discipline, or having discipline and arms, without officers, are vulnerable.