VIPENA

An Etruscan descent group that recurs in historical sources and on inscriptions. The most notable archaeological records of the name are in a sixth-century BC dedication to Minerva at Veii (Avile Vipiennas), and in the Francois tomb of Vulci where Av(i)le Vipina and Caile Vipina are recorded as engaged in duels with Romans. The descent group is also mentioned by a number of ancient writers such as Varro. Other mentions of the descent group are all concentrated at Tarquinia in the third and second centuries BC.