FERENTUM

ferentum, or ferentinum, an ancient town of etruria, about 6 m. n. of viterbo (the ancient name of which is unknown) and 3-1/2 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 acropolis 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. feretory (from lat. _feretrum_, a bier, from _ferre_, to bear), in architecture, the enclosure or chapel within which the "fereter" shrine, or tomb (as in henry vii.'s chapel), was placed.