Bĕnĕventum, i, n., = Βενεούεντον and Βενούεντον, Strab. [bene-ventus],
I a very ancient city of the Hirpini , in Samnium , now Benevento , Liv. Epit. 15; Plin. 3, 11, 16, § 105; acc. to fable ( Serv. ad Verg. A. 8, 9; Sol. c. 11), founded by Diomedes; it became a flourishing Roman colony 485 A.U.C., Cic. Verr. 2, 1, 15, § 38; Hor. S. 1, 5, 71; Vell. 1, 14, 7; Plin. 32, 2, 9, § 59; called Maleventum on account of its unwholesome air, Plin. 3, 11, 16, § 105; cf. Fest. p. 340, 8 Müll.; Paul. ex Fest. p. 34, 14 ib.; Liv. 9,27, 14; 10, 15, 1; situated on the high-road towards the south of Italy; hence, much resorted to in warlike expeditions, as in the two Punic wars; after it was colonized by Augustus, it was called Julia Concordia, Front. Colon. p. 103 (abounding in the ruins of a former age).
II —Hence, Bĕnĕventā-nus , a, um, adj., of or belonging to Beneventum : ager, Cic. Verr. 2, 1, 15, § 38: sutor, Juv. 5, 46.—In plur.: Bĕnĕventāni , ōrum, m., the Beneventines , Ascon. ad Cic. Verr. 2, 1, 15.