Veii

, a powerful city of Etruria, at the distance of about 12 miles from Rome. It sustained many long wars against the Romans, and was at last taken and destroyed by Camillus, after a siege of 10 years. At the time of its destruction, Veii was larger and far more magnificent than the city of Rome. Its situation was so eligible, that the Romans, after the burning of the city by the Gauls, were long inclined to migrate there, and totally abandon their native home; and this would have been carried into execution, if not opposed by the authority and eloquence of Camillus. Ovid , Fasti , bk. 2 , li. 195 .— Cicero , De Div in at i one , bk. 1 , ch. 44 .— Horace , bk. 2 , satire 3, li. 143 .— Livy , bk. 5 , ch. 21 , .