FERENTUM, or FERENTINUM  , an ancient town of Etruria, about 6 m . N. of Viterbo (the ancient name of which is unknown) and 3z M . E. of the Via Cassia . It was the birthplace (32 A.D.) of the emperor Otho, was destroyed in the 11th century, and is now entirely deserted, though it retains its ancient name . It occupied a ridge running from east to west, with deep ravines on three sides . There are some remains of the city walls, and of various Roman structures, but the most important ruin is that of the theatre . The stage front is still standing; it is pierced by seven openings with flat arches, and shows traces of reconstruction . The_necropolis was on the hill called Talone on the north-east . See G . Dennis, Cities and Cemeteries of Etruria (London, 1883), i . 156; Notizie degli scavi, 1900, 401; 1902, 84; 1905, 31 .