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This article is about Gens in the ancient world. For Gens in Nova Roma, see Gens (Nova Roma).

Introduction

A gens is a group of families sharing a common nomen: for example, P. Cornelius Scipio, L. Cornelius Sulla, and P. Cornelius Dolabella were all Cornelii, or members of the gens Cornelia.

Early social organization in central Italy was centered around the gens, (clan), an "aristocratic lineage or group of lineages and some of their lesser followers and dependents"^[1]. Inscriptions from the 7th century BCE show names consisting by that date of praenomen (identifies the individual) and nomen (identifies the gens)^[1].

Membership of a gens is hereditary: a Roman child is in the gens of his or her father. Some ancient gentes claimed that all their members were descended from a common ancestor, but this was perhaps never true; in any case it was not true by the middle of the ancient republic.

Nonetheless, in ancient times many noble gentes maintained close internal ties of kinship and support, and members of the same gens were often political allies. Many gentes also had shared religious traditions (sacra gentilicia), and it was socially unacceptable for members of the same gens to marry.

For more on selecting a Roman name in Nova Roma, visit Choosing a Roman name.

Gentes of ancient Rome

The following is a list of the more common gentes see in Roman history. This list is not exhaustive.

Aelia

Plebeian, of which the family-names and surnames are CATUS, GALLUS, (GRACILIS, LAMIA, LIGUR, PAETUS, STAIENUS, STILO, TUBERO. On coins this gens is also written Ailia, but Ailia seems to be a distinct gens. The only family-names and surnames of the Aelia gens upon coins are Bala, Lamia, Paetus, and Sejanus. Of Bala nothing is known. Sejanus is the name of the favorite of Tiberius, who was adopted by one of the Aelii. [SEJANUS, AELIUS.] The first member of this gens, who obtained the consulship, was P. Aelius Paetus in B. C. 337. Under the empire the Aelian name became still more celebrated. It was the name of the emperor Hadrian, and consequently of the Antonines, whom he adopted. It is doubtful to which family P. Aelius belonged who was one of the first plebeian quaestors, B. C. 409. (Liv. 4.54.)^[2]

Aemilia

Originally written AIMILIA, one of the most ancient patrician houses at Rome. Its origin is referred to the time of Numa, and it is said to have been descended from Mamercus, who received the name of Aemilius on account of the persuasiveness of his language (δι᾽ αἱμυλίαν λόγου). This Mamercus is represented by some as the son of Pythagoras, and by others as the son of Numa, while a third account traces his origin to Ascanius, who had two sons, Julius and Aemylos. (Plut. Aemil. 2, Num. 8, 21; Festus, s. v. Aemil.) Amulius is also mentioned as one of the ancestors of the Aemilii. (Sil. Ital. 8.297.) It seems pretty clear that the Aemilii were of Sabine origin; and Festus derives the name Mamercus from the Oscan, Mamers in that language being the same as Mars. The Sabines spoke Oscan. Since then the Aemilii were supposed to have come to Rome in the time of Numa, and Numa was said to have been intimate with Pythagoras, we can see the origin of the legend which makes the ancestor of the house the son of Pythagoras. The first member of the house who obtained the consulship was L. Aemilius Mamercus, in B. C. 484. The family-names of this gens are : BARBULA, BUCA, LEPIDUS, MAMERCUS or MAMERCINUS, PAPUS, PAULLUS, REGILLUS, SCAURUS. Of these names Buca, Lepidus, Paullus, and Scaurus are the only ones that occur on coins.^[3]

Albia

No persons of this gens obtained any offices in the state till the first century B. C. They all bore the cognomen CARRINAS. ^[4]

Ambrosia

The name Ambrosius is derived from the Greek name Αμβροσιος (Ambrosios) meaning "immortal." It was a common Roman cognomen. St. Ambrose, Archbishop of Milan (c340-397) was born at Trier, where his father Aurelius Ambrosius was Praefectus of Gallia Narbonensis.

As a nomen, Ambrosius is documented in the Late Empire. Ambrosius Theodosius Macrobius was a Roman grammarian and Neoplatonic philosopher who flourished during the reigns of Honorius and Arcadius (395-423). As usual for this period, his praenomen is not known. He tells us that that Latin was to him a foreign tongue, but no evidence about his origin survives. He is variously thought to have been Greek or African. He might have been the Macrobius who was mentioned in the Codex Theodosianus as a praetorian prefect of Spain in 399-400, proconsul of Africa in 410, and lord chamberlain in 422. His Saturnalia is a dialogue in seven books. It is chiefly a literary evaluation of Vergil. Macrobius also wrote a commentary on Cicero's Dream of Scipio, which was popular in the Middle Ages and influenced Chaucer. Macrobius was among the first to hold the idea of a spherical earth.

Ambrosius Aurelianus (fl. 440), called the "Last of the Romans", led the Romans in Britain following the withdrawal of the legions in 410. He gave his name to Amesbury in Wiltshire. According to Gildas, Ambrosius was "courageous, faithful, valiant and true; a man of Roman birth who had alone survived the conflict, his parents, who had worn the purple, having perished in the struggle; his descendants, greatly degenerated in these days from the excellence of their grandfather, still provoke their conquerors [the Saxons] to battle, and by the grace of God their prayers for victory are heard."^[5]According to Bede, Ambrosius came to power in 479.^[6]Fragments of his life were preserved in the Historia Britonum.^[7]In Geoffrey of Monmouth's pseudo-history, he is incorrectly called Aurelius Ambrosius and said, controversially, to have been a son of Constantine III, who was elected Emperor of Britannia, Gaul and Hispania in the reign of [Honorius].^[8]Ambrosius' history became entangled with, and obscured by, the legend of King Arthur, his supposed nephew.

Ambrosia in Nova Roma

Gens Ambrosia was one of the original gentes of Nova Roma. Its early members were patrician. When its founder Lucian Ambrosius Neptunius left Nova Roma in April 2751 a.u.c., Merlinia Ambrosia Artoria became the materfamilias. Its members have previously shared an interest in Roman Britannia.

Annaea

An attested gens known through several famous names including M. Annaeus Seneca, or the elder Seneca, or Seneca the elder. Seneca was gifted with a prodigious memory. He was a man of letters, after the fashion of his time, when rhetoric or false eloquence was most in vogue. His Controversiarum Libri decem, which he addressed to his three sons, were written when he was an old man. The first, second, seventh, eighth, and tenth books only, are extant, and these are somewhat mutilated : of the other books only fragments remain. These Controversiae are rhetorical exercises on imaginary cases, filled with common-places, such as a man of large verbal memory and great reading carries about with him as his ready money.^[9]

Antonia

Both patrician and plebeian. The patrician Antonii bear the cognomen Merenda [MERENDA]; the plebeian Antonii bear no surname under the republic, with the exception of Q. Antonius, propraetor in Sardinia in the time of Sulla, who is called Balbus upon coins. (Eckhel, v. p. 140.) The plebeian Antonii are given under ANTONIUS. Antonius, the triumvir, pretended that his gens was descended from Anton, a son of Hercules. (Plut. Ant. 4, 36, 60.) We are told that he harnessed lions to his chariot to commemorate his descent from this hero (Plin. Nat. 8.16. s. 21; comp. Cic. Att. 10.13); and many of his coins bear a lion for the same reason. (Eckhel, vi. pp. 38, 44.).^[10]

Arria

An attested gens we see through the recorded accounts of Q. Arrius, a son of the preceding, was an unsuccessful candidate for the consulship, B. C. 59. (Cic. Att. 2.5, 7.) He was an intimate friend of Cicero (in Vatin. 12, pro Mil. 17); but Cicero during his exile complains bitterly of the conduct of Arrius. (Ad Qu. fr. 1.3.).^[11]

Aurelia

A plebeian, of which the family names, under the republic, are COTTA, ORESTES, and SCAURUS. On coins we find the cognomens Cotta and Scaurus, and perhaps Rufus (Eckhel, v. p. 147), the last of which is not mentioned by historians. The first member of the gens who obtained the consulship was C. Aurelius Cotta in B. C. 252, from which time the Aurelii become distinguished in history down to the end of the republic. Under the early emperors, we find an Aurelian family of the name of Fulvus, from which the Roman emperor Antoninus was descended, whose name originally was T. Aurelius Fulvus.^[12]

Caecilia

A plebeian; for the name of T. Caecilius in Livy (4.7, comp. 6), the patrician consular tribune in B. C. 444, is a false reading for T. Cloelius. A member of this gens is mentioned in history as early as the fifth century B. C.; but the first of the Caecilii who obtained the consulship was L. Caecilius Metellus Denter, in 284. The family of the Metelli became from this time one of the most distinguished in the state. Like other Roman families in the later times of the republic, they traced their origin to a mythical personage, and pretended that they were descended from Caeculus, the founder of Praeneste [CAECULUS], or Caecas, the companion of Aeneas. (Festus, s. v. Caeculus.) The cognomens of this gens under the republic are BASSUS, DENTER, MIETELLUS, NIGER, PINNA, RUFUS, of which the Metelli are the best known: for those whose cognomen is not mentioned, see CAECILIUS.^[13]

Cassia

Originally patrician, afterwards plebeian. We have mention of only one patrician of this gens, Sp. Cassius Viscellinus, consul in B. C. 502, and the proposer of the first agrarian law, who was put to death by the patricians. As all the Cassii after his time are plebeians, it is not improbable either that the patricians expelled them from their order, or that they abandoned it on account of the murder of Viscellinus. The Cassia gens was reckoned one of the noblest in Rome; and members of it are constantly mentioned under the empire as well as during the republic (Comp. Tac. Ann. 6.15.) The chief family in the time of the republic bears the name of LONGINUS : the other cognomens during that time are HEMINA, PARMENSIS, RAVILLA, SABACO, VARUS, VISCELLINUS. Under the empire, the surnames are very numerous : of these an alphabetical list is given below. The few persons of this gens mentioned without any cognomen are given under CASSIUS.^[14]

Claudia

Both patrician and plebeian. The patrician Claudii were of Sabine origin, and came to Rome in B. C. 504, when they were received among the patricians. [CLAUDIUS, No. 1.] The patrician Claudii bear various surnames, as Caecus, Caudex, Centho, Crassus, Pulcher, Regillensis, and Sabinus, the two latter of which, though applicable to all of the gens, were seldom used, when there was also a more definite cognomen. But as these surnames did not mark distinct families, an account of all the patrician Claudii is given under CLAUDIUS, with the exception of those with the cognomen NERO, since they are better known under the latter name. The surnames of the plebeian Claudii are ASELLUS, CANINA, CENTUMALUS, CICERO, FLAMEN, and MARCELLUS, of which the last is by far the most celebrated.^[15]

The patrician Claudii were noted for their pride and arrogance, and intense hatred of the commonalty. " That house during the course of centuries produced several very eminent, few great men; hardly a single noble-minded one. In all ages it distinguished itself alike by a spirit of haughty defiance, by disdain for the laws, and iron hardness of heart." (Niebuhr, vol. i. p. 599.) The praenomen Lucius was avoided after two of that name had dishonoured it, the one by robbery, the other by murder. (Sueton. Tib. 1.) The honours and public offices borne by members of this gens are enumerated by Suetonius. (l.c.) During the republic no patrician Claudius adopted one of another gens: the emperor Claudius was the first who broke through this custom by adopting L. Domitius Ahenobarbus, afterwards the emperor Nero. (Suet. Cl. 39; Tac. Ann. 12.25.)

Cocceia

Cocceia is an attested gens as recorded through known people like Cocceianus Salvius. He was the son of the brother of the emperor Otho, was quite a youth at his uncle's death in A. D. 69. He was afterwards put to death by Domitian for celebrating his uncle's birthday. Plutarch calls him Cocceius, but Cocceianus seems the correct form. (Tac. Hist. 2.48; Plut. Oth. 16; Suet. Oth. 10, Domit. 10.).^[16]

Coruncania

A attested gens known by the records of a distinguished Roman pontiff and jurist, was descended from a father and a grandfather of the same name, but none of his ancestors had ever obtained the honours of the Roman magistracy. According to a speech of the emperor Claudius in Tacitus, the Coruncanii came from Camerium (Ann. 11.24); but Cicero makes the jurist a townsman of Tusculum (pro Planc. 8). Notwithstanding his provincial extraction, this novus homo was promoted to all the highest offices at Rome. (Vell. 2.128.) In B. C. 280, he was consul with P. Valerius Laevinus, and while his colleague was engaged in the commencement of the war against Pyrrhus, the province of Etruria fell to Coruncanius, who was successful in quelling the remains of disaffection, and entirely defeated the Vulsinienses and Vulcientes. For these victories he was honoured with a triumph early in the following year. After subduig Etruria, he returned towards Rome to aid Laevinus in checking the advance of Pyrrhus. (Appian, Samn. 10.3.) In B. C. 270, he seems to have been censor with C. Claudius Canina. Modern writers appear to be ignorant of any ancient historical account of this censorship. In l'Art de vérifier les Dates, i. p. 605, Coruncanius is inferred to have been censor in the 34th lustrum, from the expressions of Velleius Paterculus (2.128), and a Claudius is wanting to complete the seven censors in that family mentioned by Suetonius. (Tiber. 1.) Seneca (de Vit. Beat. 21) says, that Cato of Utica was wont to praise the age of M'. Curius and Coruncanius, when it was a censorian crime to possess a few thin plates of silver. Niebuhr (iii. p. 555) speaks of this censorship as missing; but, though it is not mentioned by the epitomizer of Livy, we suspect that there is some classical auand thority extant concerning it, known to less modern scholars, for Panciroli (de Clar. Interp. p. 21) says, that Coruncanius was censor with C. Claudius; and Val. Forsterus (Historia Juris, fol. 41, b.) states, that in his censorship the population ineluded in the census amounted to 277,222. About B. C. 254, Coruncanius was created pontifex maximus, and was the first plebeian who ever filled that office (Liv. Epist. xviii.), although, before that time, his brother jurist, P. Sempronius Sophus, and other plebeians, had been pontifices. (Liv. 10.9.) In B. C. 246, he was appointed dictator for the purpose of holding the comitia, in order to prevent the necessity of recalling either of the consuls from Sicily; and he must have died shortly afterwards, at a very advanced age (Cic. de Senect. 6), for, in Liv. Epit. xix., Caecilius Metellus is named as pontifex maximus.

Coruncanius was a remarkable man. He lived on terms of strict friendship with M'. Curius and other eminent statesmen of his day. He was a Roman sage (Sapiens), a character more practical than that of a Grecian philosopher, but he was sufficiently versed in the learning of the times. That philosophy which placed the highest good in pleasure he rejected, and, with M'. Curius, wished that the enemies of Rome, Pyrrhus and the Samnites, could be taught to believe its precepts. He was a manly orator; his advice and opinion were respected in war as well as in peace, and he had great influence in the senate as well as in the public assembly. (Cic. de Orat. 3.33.) Cicero, who often sounds his praises, speaks of him as one of those extraordinary persons whose greatness was owing to a special Providence. (De Nat. Deor. 2.66.) To the highest acquirements of a politician he united profound knowledge of pontifical and civil law. Pomponius (Dig. 1. tit. 2. s. 2.38) says, that he left behind no writings, but that he gave many cral opinions, which were handed down to remembrance by legal tradition. Cicero says, that the Pontificum Commentarii afforded proof of his surpassing abilities (Brut. 14); and, in the treatise de Legibus (2.21), he cites one of his memorabilia. Another of his legal fragments is preserved by Pliny. (H. N. 8.51. s. 77.) It might be supposed from a passage in Seneca (Ep. 114), that writings of Coruncanius were extant in his time, for he there ridicules the affectation of orators, who, thinking Gracchus and Crassus and Curio too modern, went back to the language of the 12 Tables, of Appius, and of Coruncanius.

There is a passage relating to Coruncanius in Pomponius (Dig. 1. tit. 2. s. 8.35). which has given occasion to much controversy. He says that Coruncanius was the first who publicly professed law, since, before his time, jurists endeavoured to conceal the jus civile, and gave their time, not to students, but to those who wanted their advice. The statement as to the early concealment of the law has been supposed to be fabulous (Puchta, Institutionen, i. p. 301); but here it is proper to distinguish between the rules applicable to ordinary dealings on the one hand, and the technical regulations of the calendar, of procedure and of religious rites, on the other. Schrader(in Hugo's Civil. Mag. v. p. 187) assumes that it was usual for jurists before Coruncanius to admit patrician students--those at least who were destined for the college of pontiffs--to learn law by being present at their consultations with their clients. He further thinks that Coruncanius did not profess to give any systematic or peculiar instruction in the theory of law, and certainly there are passages which prove that such theoretic instruction was not common in the time of Cicero. (Cic. Brut. 89, de Amic. 1, de Leg. 1.4, de Off. 2.13.) Schrader therefore comes to the conclusion, that Coruncanius first publicly professed law only in this sense, that he was the first to allow plebeians and patricians indiscriminately to learn law by attending his consultations. This interpretation, though it is ingenious, and has found favour with Hugo (R. R. G. p. 460) and Zimmern (R. R. G. 1.53), appears to us to be very strained, and we think Pomponius must have meant to convey, whether rightly or wrongly, first, that before Coruncanius, it was not usual for jurists to take pupils; and, secondly, that the pupils of Coruncanius were not left to gain knowledge merely by seeing business transacted and hearing or reading the opinions given by their master to those who consulted him, but that they received special instruction in the general doctrines of law.

The two Coruncanii who were sent B. C. 228 as ambassadors front Rome to Teuta, queen of Illyricum, to complain of the maritime depredations of her subjects, and one of whom at least was put to death by her orders, were probably the sons of the jurist. (Appian, de Rebus Illyr. 7; Plb. 2.8; Plin.H. N. 34.6.) By Polybius they are called Caius and Lucius; by Pliny, P. Junius and Tiberius.

Titus for Tiberius, and Coruncanus for Coruncanius, are ordinary corruptions of the jurist's name.

(Rutilius, Vitae JCtorum, 100.5; Heineccius, Hist. Jur. Civ. § 118; Schweppe, R. R. G. § 127; L. A. Würffel, Epist. de Ti. Coruincanio, Hal. 1740.).^[17]

Curia

A plebeian, is mentioned for the first time in the beginning of the third century B. C., when it was rendered illustrious by M'. Curius Dentatus. [DENTATUS.] This is the only cognomen which occurs in the gens : for the other members of it, see CURIUS.^[18]

Curiatia

The existence of a patrician gens of this name is attested by Livy (1.30, comp. Dionys. A. R. 3.30), who expressly mentions the Curiatii among the noble Alban gentes, which, after the destruction of Alba, were transplanted to Rome, and there received among the Patres. This opinion is not contradicted by the fact that in B. C. 401 and 138 we meet with Curiatii who were tribunes of the people and consequently plebeians, for this phenomenon may be accounted for here, as in other cases, by the supposition that the plebeian Curiatii were the descendants of freedmen of the patrician Curiatii, or that some members of the patrician gens had gone over to the plebeians. The Alban origin of the Curiatii is also stated in the story about the three Curiatii who in the reign of Tullus Hostilius fought with the three Roman brothers, the Horatii, and were conquered by the cunning and bravery of one of the Horatii, though some writers described the Curiatii as Romans and the Horatii as Albans. (Liv. 1.24, &c.; Dionys. A. R. 3.11, &c.; Plut. Parall. Gr. et. Rom. 16; Flor. 1.3; Aurel. Vict. de Vir. Ill. 4; Zonar. 7.6; Niebuhr, Hist. of Rome, i. p. 348; comp. HORATIUS.) No members of the patrician Curiatia gens, so far as our records go, rose to any eminence at Rome, and there are but few whose names have come down to us. The only cognomen of the gens in the times of the republic is FISTUS. For the plebeians who are mentioned without a cognomen, see CURIATIUS.^[19]

Curiatia in Nova Roma

The gens Curiatia was founded in Nova Roma by Marcus Curiatius Complutensis, first called Marcus Adrianus Complutensis.

Equitia

This gens is found at least once through L. Equitius. He is said to have been a runaway slave, gave himself out as a son of Ti. Gracchus, and was in consequence elected tribune of the plebs for B. C. 99. While tribune designatus, he took an active part in the designs of Saturninus, and was killed with him in B. C. 100 : Appian says that his death happened on the day on which he entered upon his office. (Appian, App. BC 1.32, 33 ; V. Max. 3.2.18; Cic. pro Sest. 47, who calls him insitivus Gracchus, and pro C. Rabir. 7, where he is described as ille ex compedibus atque ergastulo Gracchus).^[20]

Equitia in Nova Roma

Gens Equitia is one of the original gentes of Nova Roma and was founded by Lucius Equitius Cincinnatus.

Galeria

The gens Galeria is seen through prominant figures like Galerius Trachalus who was consul A. D. 68 with Silius Italicus, and a relation of Galeria Fundana, the wife of Vitellius, who protected him on the accession of her husband to the throne. Trachalus is frequently mentioned by his contemporary Quintilian, as one of the most distinguished orators of his age. Tacitus takes notice of a report that Trachalus wrote the orations which the emperor Otho delivered, but the speeches of Otho in the Histories of Tacitus (1.37, 83) were composed by the historian and not by Trachalus. (Tac. Hist. 1.90, 2.60; Quint. Inst. 6.3.78, 8.5.19, 10.1.119, 12.5 § 5, 12.10.11; Spalding, ad Quintil. 6.3.78; Bernardi, Recherches sur Galerius Trachalus, in the Mémoires de l'Institut Royal de France, vol. vii. p. 119, foll., Paris, 1824 ; Meyer, Oratorum Romanorum Fragmenta, p. 592, foll., 2d ed.).^[21]

Horatia

Horatia was an ancient patrician family at Rome (Lydus, de Mensur. 4.1), belonging to the third tribe, the Luceres, and one of the lesser houses. (Dionys. A. R. 5.23.) It traced its origin to the hero Horatus, to whom an oak wood was dedicated (Id. 5.14); and from its affinity with the Curiatii of Alba, seems to have been of Latin race. Some writers indeed described the Horatii as Albans, and as the champions of Alba in the combat with the Curiatii. (Liv. 1.24.) But the story of the triple combat generally assigned the Horatii to Rome. (Liv. l.c.; Dionys. A. R. 3.12; Plut. Parall. Gr. et Rom. 16; Flor. 1.3; Aurel. Vict. de Vir. Ill. 4; Zonar. 7.6.) There are some indications of rivalry between the Valeria gens and the Horatia (Dionys. A. R. 5.35; Liv. 2.8); and since the Valerii were of Sabellian extraction (Plut. Num. 5; Dionys. A. R. 2.46, 5.12), the feud may have been national as well as political. In the division of the Roman people (populus and plebs) by Servius Tullius into Agrarian tribes, one of the tribes was the Horatia. Monuments of the Horatia gens were the "sacer campus Horatiorum" (Mart. Epigr. 3.47); the " Horatii Pila," or trophy of the victory over the Alban brethren (Dionys. A. R. 3.21; Liv. 1.26; Schol. Bob. in Cic. Milonian. p. 277, Orelli); the tomb of Horatia, built near the Porta Capena of squared stone (Liv. 1.26); the graves of the two Horatii near Alba, extant in the 6th century of Rome (Liv. l.c. ; Niebuhr, R. H. vol. i. note 870); and the " Sororium Tigillum," or Sister's Gibbet. (Fest. s. v. Soror. Tigill.; Dionys. A. R. 3.22; Liv. l.c.) The Horatia Gens had the surnames BARBATUS, COCLES, PULVILLUS. A few members of the gens are mentioned without a cognomen.^[22]

Hortensia

A plebeian gens; for we have an Hortensius as tribunus plebis [HORTENSIUS, No. 1], and there is no evidence of any patrician families of this name. Cicero, indeed, gives the epithet of nobilis to the orator (pro Quinct. 22; cf. Plut. Cat. Ma. 25; Plin. Nat. 9, 80); but this is sufficiently accounted for by the high curule offices that had been held by several of his ancestors. The name seems to have been derived from the gardening propensities of the first person who lore it; and the surname Hortalus, borne by the great orator's son [Nos. 8 and 10], seems, as Drumann observes, to have been a kind of nickname of the orator himself. (Cic. Att. 2.25, 4.15.).^[23]

Iulia

One of the most ancient patrician gentes at Rome, the members of which attained the highest dignities of the state in the earliest times of the republic. It was without doubt of Alban origin, and it is mentioned as one of the leading Alban houses, which Tullus Hostilius removed to Rome upon the destruction of Alba Longa, and enrolled among the Roman patres. (Dionys. A. R. 3.29; Tac. Ann. 11.24; in Liv. 1.30, the reading should probably be Tullios, and not Julios.) The Julii also existed at an early period at Bovillae, as we learn from a very ancient inscription on an altar in the theatre of that town, which speaks of their offering sacrifices according to Alban rites --lege Albana (Niebuhr, Rom. Hist. vol. i. note 1240, vol. ii. note 421), and their connection with Bovillae is also implied by the chapel (sacrarium) which the emperor Tiberius dedicated to the Gens Julia in the town, and in which he placed the statue of Augustus. (Tac. Ann. 2.41.) It is not impossible that some of the Julii may have settled at Bovillae after the fall of Alba. As it became the fashion in the later times of the republic to claim a divine origin for the most distinguished of the Roman gentes, it was contended that lulus, the mythical ancestor of the race, was the same as Ascanius, the son of Venus and Anchises, and that he was the founder of Alba Longa. In order to prove the identity of Ascanius and Iulus, recourse was had to etymology, some specimens of which the render curious in such matters will find in Servius (ad Virg. Aen. 1.267; comp. Liv. 1.3). The dictator Caesar frequently alluded to the divine origin of his race, as, for instance, in the funeral oration which he pronounced when quaestor over his aunt Julia (Suet. Jul. 6), and in giving " Venus Genetrix" as the word to his soldiers at the battles of Pharsalus and Munda, and subsequent writers and poets were ready enough to fall in with a belief which flattered the pride and exalted the origin of the imperial family.

Though it would seem that the Julii first came to Rome in the reign of Tullus Hostilius, the name occurs in Roman legend as early as the time of Romulus. It was Proculus Julius who was said to have informed the sorrowing Roman people, after the strange departure of Romulus from the world, that their king had descended from heaven and appeared to him, bidding him tell the people to honour him in future as a god, under the name of Quirinus. (Liv. 1.6; Ov. Fast. 2.499, &c.) Sonic modern critics have inferred from this, that a few of the Julii might have settled in Rome in the reign of the first king; but considering the entirely fabulous nature of the tale, and the circumstance that the celebrity of the Julia Gens in later times would easily lead to its connection with the earliest times of Roman story, no historical argument can be drawn from the mere name occurring in this legend.

The family names of this gens in the time of the republic are CAESAR, IULUS, MENTO, and LIBO, of which the first three were undoubtedly patrician; but the only two families which obtained any celebrity are those of Iulus and Caesar, the former in the first and the latter in the last century of the republic. On coins the only names which we find are CAESAR and BURSIO, the latter of which does not occur in ancient writers.

In the times of the empire we find an immense number of persons of the name of Julius; but it must not be supposed that they were connected by descent in any way with the Julia Gens; for, in consequence of the imperial family belonging to this gens, it became the name of their numerous freedmen, and may have been assumed by many other persons out of vanity and ostentation. An alphabetical list of the principal persons of the name, with their cognomens, is given below. [JULIUS.] (On the Julia Gens in general, see Klausen Aeneas und die Penaten, vol. ii. p. 1059, &c.; Drumann's Rom, vol. iii. p. 114, &c.)^[24]

Iunia

One of the most celebrated of the Roman gentes, was in all probability originally patrician, as we can hardly conceive that the first consul, L. Junius Brutus, connected as he was with the family of the Tarquins, could have been a plebeian, although the latter hypothesis is maintained by Niebuhr. But however this may be, it is certain that, with the exception of the first consul and his sons, all the other members of the gens were plebeians. The family names and surnames which occur in the time of the republic are, BRUTUS, BUBULCUS, GRACCHANUS, NORBANUS, PACIAECUS, PENNUS, PERA, PULLUS, SILANUS. Many Junii appear under the empire with other surnames than those mentioned above, but of course they cannot be regarded as any part of the real Junia gens.^[25]

Labiena

The name of a Roman family, which does not occur in history till the last century of the republic. Most modern writers say that Labienus was a cognomen of the Atia gens, but there is no authority for this in any ancient author. The name was first assigned to this gens by P. Manutius, but apparently on conjecture ; and although Spanheim (De Praest. et Usu Numism. vol. ii. pp. 11, 12) pointed out that there was no authority for this, the error has been continued down to the present day, as, for instance, in Orelli's Onomasticon Tullianum.^[26]

Licinia

A celebrated plebeian gens, to which belonged C. Licinius Calvus Stolo, whose exertions threw open the consulship to the plebeians, and which became one of the most illustrious gentes in the latter days of the republic, by the Crassi and Luculli, who were likewise members of it. The origin of the gens is uncertain. A bilingual inscription, published by Lanzi (Saggio di Lingua Etrusc. vol. ii. p. 342, Rom. 1789), shows that the name of Lecne, which frequently occurs in Etruscan sepulchral monuments, corresponds to that of Licinius, and hence it would appear that the family was of Etruscan origin. This opinion is thought to be supported by the fact, that in the consulship of C. Licinius Calvus Stolo, B. C. 364, Etruscan players took part in the public games at Rome; but as it is recorded by Livy that scenic games were established in this year to avert the anger of the gods, and that Etruscan players were accordingly sent for (Liv. 7.2), it is not necessary to imagine that this was done simply because Licinius kept up his connection with Etruria. We moreover find the name in the cities of Latium, both in the form of a cognomen (Licinus), and of the gentile name (Licinius). Thus we meet in Tusculum with the Porcii Licini, and in Lanuvium with the Licinii Murenae [MURENA]. The name would therefore seem to have been originally spread both through Etruria and Latium. The first member of this gens who obtained the consulship, was the celebrated C. Licinius Calvus Stolo, in B. C. 364; and from this period down to the later times of the empire, the Licinii constantly held some of the higher offices of the state, until eventually they obtained the imperial dignity.

The family-names of this gens are, CALVUS (with the agnomens Esquilinus and Stolo), CRASSUS (with the agnomen Dives), GETA, LUCULLUS, MACER, MURENA, NERVA, SACERDOS, VARUS. The other cognomens of this gens are personal surnames rather than family-names: they are ARCHIAS, CAECINA, DAMASIPPUS, IMBREX, LARTIUS, LENTICULUS, NEPOS, PROCULUS, REGULUS, RUFINUS, SQUILLUS, TEGULA. The only cognomens which occur on coins are Crassus, Macer, Alurena, Nerva, Stolo. A few Licinii occur without a surname: they are, with one or two exceptions, freedmen, and are given under LICINIUS.^[27]

Lucretia

Lucretia was originally patrician, but subsequently plebeian also. It was one of the most ancient gentes, and the name occurs as early as the reign of Numa Pompilius. The surname of the patrician Lucretii was TRICIPTINUS, one of whom, Sp. Lucretius Triciptinus, was elected consul, with L. Junius Brutus, on the establishment of the republic, B. C. 509. The plebeian families are known by the surnames of GALLUS 1, OFELLA, and VESPILLO. CARUS also occurs as the cognomen of the poet Lucretius. On coins we have likewise the cognomen Trio, which is not found in any ancient writer. A few Lucretii are mentioned without any surname.^[28]

Lucretia in Nova Roma

Nova Roma's Gens Lucretia was created when some members of Gens Gladia decided to adopt a more traditional nomen, thereby re-establishing ancient Rome's gens Lucretia.

Marcia

Marcia was originally patrician, afterwards plebeian likewise. We also, but not so frequently, find the name written Martius. This gens claimed to be descended from Ancus Marcius, the fourth king of Rome (Suet. Jul. 6; V. Max. 4.3.4; Ov. Fast. 6.803); and hence one of its families subsequently assumed the name of Rex, and the heads of Numa Pompilius and Ancus Marcius were placed upon the coins of the gens. [See the coins under CENSORINUS and PHILIPPUS.] But notwithstanding the claims to such high antiquity made by the Marcii, no patricians of this name, with the exception of Coriolanus, are mentioned in the early history of the republic, and it was not till after the enactment of the Licinian laws that any member of the gens obtained the consulship. The first Marcius who reached this dignity was C. Marcius Rutilus Censorinus, in B. C. 310. The only patrician family in this gens, as is remarked above, was that of CORIOLANUS the names of the plebeian families in the time of the republic are CENSORINUS, CRISPUS, FIGULUS, LIBO, PHILIPPUS, RALLA, REX, RUFUS, RUTILUS, SEPTIMUS, SERMO, TREMULUS. The only cognomens which occur on coins are Censorinus, Libo, Philippus. A few persons are mentioned without any surname: they are given under MARCIUS.^[29]

Maria

A plebeian. The name of Marius was not of unfrequent occurrence in the towns of Italy: thus, we find as early as the second Punic war a Marius Blosius and a Marius Alfius at Capua (Liv. 23.7, 35), and a Marius at Praeneste (Sil. Ital. 9.401). But no Roman of this name is mentioned till the celebrated C. Marius, the conqueror of the Cimbri and Teutones, who may be regarded as the founder of the gens. It was never divided into any families, though in course of time, more especially under the emperors, several of the Marii assumed surnames, of which an alphabetical list is given below. On coins we find the cognomens Capito and Trogus, but who they were is quite uncertain.^[30]

Martiania

A gens that didn't appear until the imperial period. A Martinianus was noted as a magister officiorum to the emperor Licinius, by whom he was elevated to the dignity of Caesar, when active preparations were in progress for the last great struggle against Constantine. Martinianus was compelled to surrender himself to the conqueror, along with his patron, whose fate he shared towards thr. end of A. D. 323. A rare coin in third brass is found in some collections bearing the legend D. N. MARTINIANUS P. F. AUG., which would indicate that he was created Augustus ; and this conclusion might be drawn from the words of Victor. (De Caes. 41.) [Compare VALENS, AURELIUS VALERIUS.] (Exerpta Vales. 25, 28, 29; Victor, de Caes. 41, Epit. 41 ; Zosim. 2.25, 26, 28.).^[31]

Martiania in Nova Roma

Gens Martiania is one of the early gentes of Nova Roma. It was formed when Marcus Martianius Gangalius became the 173rd citizen in MMDCCLVI.

The Roman name Martiania unites two of the gens' primary interests: the study of classical Roman civilization, and the exploration of space in general but particularly the exploration of the planet Mars. It is a name which simultaneously recalls the past and summons the future. Symbolic of these twin influences is Martianus Minneus Felix Capella, a Roman writer of the early 5th century, who espoused the heliocentric theory of the universe a thousand years before Nicolaus Copernicus revived the idea.

The motto of the gens, "contendere, explorare, invenire, et non cedere", is a Latin translation of "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield," a line from Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem "Ulysses." This line is inscribed on a monument in Antarctica to Robert Scott's tragic expedition to the South Pole, men who made the ultimate sacrifice to expand human knowledge.

The traditions of the gens Martiania encourage its members to be active in building social, civil, and religious institutions that existed in the classical Roman world. Additionally, they encourage membership and active participation in space advocacy organizations to further the goals of exploring and eventually colonizing the planet Mars.

Marcus Martianius Gangalius was appointed Aedilis Curulis and webmaster of Nova Roma in the year MMDCCLII; however, he opposed the dictator Flavius Vedius Germanicus and was removed from his positions. He served as Legatus of California Superior from MMDCCLIII to MMDCCLVIII, and he has been a Soldalus Palatini since MMDCCLVII.

Other early members were:

• Gaia Martiania Gangalia Cunicula
• Leona Martiania Gangalia Bactrica Bellatrix
• Marca Martiania Gangalia Marcella
• Fausta Martiania Gangalia Minervalis
• Titus Martianius Lupus
• Marcus Martianius Lupus

Minicia

Minicia came originally from Brixia (Brescia), in Cisalpine Gaul. Brixiawas a Roman colony, but in what year it became one is unknown. (Plin. Nat. 3.19.) The Minicii occur only under the empire. There was a C. Minicius Fundanus, one of the consules suffecti in A. D. 51 ; and another C. Minicius, also one of the consoles suffecti in A. D. 103. For this gens see Labus, Epigrapha nuoramente uscita dalle escarazioni Bresciana, Milan, 1830.^[32]

Minicia in Nova Roma

The GENS MINICIA originally belonged to Nova Roma's planetary community, an organization devoted to the study and historical reconstruction of Ancient Rome in all its aspects (socially, politically, religiously, artistically, militarily, etc.). The aim of the group was to be an introductory platform for the Gens. They originally sought to help promote the project of Nova Roma's reconstruction and the study of all the aspects related to the classic antiquity.

Minucia

Minuciawas originally, in some of its branches at least, patrician; but more frequently occurs in history as a plebeian house. Its principal cognomens were AUGURINUS, BASILUS, RUFUS, and THERMUS. Minicius and Municius are frequently confounded with Minicius. The following coin of the Minucia gens bears on the obverse the head of Pallas, and on the reverse Jupiter in a chariot hurling a thunder-bolt, with the legend L. Minusius. Who this L. Minucius was is unknown.^[33]

Modia

Modia a Roman name, which rarely occurs. Varro (de Re Rust. 2.7) speaks of a Q. Modius Equiculus, and Cicero (Cic. Ver. 2.48) of a M. Modius. Juvenal (3.130) also mentions a rich Ronum matron of the name of Modia.^[34]

Mucia

Mucia was a very ancient patrician house, ascending to the earliest aera of the republic (Dionys. A. R. 5.25; Liv. 2.12). It existed in later times, however, only as a plebeian house. Its only cognomens are CORDUS and SCAEVOLA, under which are given all persons of the name of Mucius.^[35]

Octavia

Celebrated in history on account of the emperor Augustus belonging to it. It was a plebeian gens, and is not mentioed till the year B. C. 230), when Cn. Octavius Rufus obtained the quaestorship. This Cn. Octavius left two sons, Cneius and Caius. The descendants of Cneius held many of the higher magistracies, and his son obtained the consulship in B. C. 165; but the descendants of Caius, from whom the emperor Augustus sprang, did not rise to any importance, but continued simple equites, and the first of them, who was enrolled among the senators, was the father of Augustus. The gens originally came from the Volscian town of Velitrae, where there was a street in the most frequented part of the town, and likewise an altar, both bearing the name of Octavius (Suet. Aug. 1, 2; Vell. 2.59; D. C. 45.1). This is all that can be related with certainty respecting the history of this gens; but as it became the fashion towards the end of the republic for the Roman nobles to trace their origin to the gods and to the heroes of olden time, it was natural that a family, which became connected with the Julia gens, and from which the emperor Augustus sprang, should have an ancient and noble origin assigned to it. Accordingly, we read in Suetonius (Suet. Aug. 2) that the members of this gens received the Roman franchise from Tarquinius Priscus, and were enrolled among the patricians by his successor Servius Tullius ; that they afterwards passed over to the plebeians, and that Julius Caesar a long while afterwards conferred the patrician rank upon them again. There is nothing improbable in this statement by itself ; but since neither Livy nor Dionysius make any mention of the Octavii, when they speak of Velitrae, it is evident that they did not believe the tale; and since, moreover, the Octavii are nowhere mentioned in history till the latter half of the third century before the Christian aera, we may safely reject the early origin of the gens. The name of Octavius, however, was widely spread in Latium, and is found at a very early time, of which we have an example in the case of Octavius Mamilius, to whom Tarquinius Superbus gave his daughter in marriage. The name was evidently derived from the praenomen Octavus, just as from Quintus, Sextus, and Septimus, came the gentile names of Quintius, Sextius, and Septimius. In the times of the republic none of the Octavii, who were descended from Cn. Octavius Rufus, bore any cognomen with the exception of Rufus, and even this surname is rarely mentioned. The stemma on page 7. exhibits all the descendants of Cn. Octavius Rufus. The descendants of the emperor Augustus by his daughter Julia are given in Vol. I. p. 430, and a list of the descendants of his sister Octavia is annexed here; so that the two together present a complete view of the imperial family. In consequence of the intermarriages in this family, part of this stemma repeats a portion of the stemma in Vol. I. p. 430, and also of the stemma of the Drusi given in Vol. I. p. 1076 ; but it is thought better for the sake of clearness to make this repetition. There are a few other persons of the name of Octavii, who were not descended from Cn. Octavius Rufus, or whose descent cannot be traced. Most of them bore cognomens under which they are given, namely, BALBUS, LIGUR, MIARSUS, NASO.^[36]

Petronia

A plebeian; laid claim to high antiquity, since a Petronius Sabinus is said to have lived in the reign of Tarquinius Superbus. [PETRONIUS, No. 1.] The coins struck by Petronius Turpilianus, who was one of the triumvirs of the mint in the reign of Augustus, likewise contain reference to the real or supposed Sabine origin of the gens. [TURPILIANUS.] But during the time of the republic scarcely any one of this name is mentioned. Under the empire, however, the name frequently occurs both in writers and in inscriptions with various cognomens; many of the Petronii obtained the consular dignity, and one of them, Petronius Maximus, was eventually raised to the imperial purple in A. D. 455.^[37]

Pompeia

A plebeian; is not mentioned till the second century before the Christian aera: the first member of it who obtained the consulship, Q. Pompeius, in B. C. 14, is described as a man of a humble and obscure origin (Cic. Ver. 5.70, pro Muren. 7, Brut. 25). It is expressly stated that there were two or three distinct families of the Pompeii under the republic (Vell. 2.21); and we can trace two, one of which was broutght into celebrity by Q. Pompeilus, the consul of B. C. 14], and the other is still better known as that to which the triumvir belonged. In the former family we find the surname of Rufus ; in the latter, the father of the triumvir was distinguiished by the personal cognomen of Strabo, and the triumvir himself gained that of Magnus, which he handed down to his children as an hereditary surname. Beside these cognomens we have on coins Faustulus as a a surname of a Sex. Pompeius, who is otherwise unknown, and Pius as a surname of Sextts, the son of Cn. Pompeius Magnus, to designate him as the avenger of his father and brother. (Eckhel, vol. v. p. 280, &c.) But as all the members of these families are usually spoken of under their gentile name, and not under their cognomens, they are given below under POMPEIUS. In addition to the cognomens already mentioned, we find many others, borne for the most part by freedmen or provincials, who had received the Roman franchise from the Pompeii^[38]

Pontia

A plebeian, was originally Samnite. It never attained much eminence at Rome during the republic, but under the empire some of its members were raised to the consulship. During the republican period AQUILA is the only cognomen borne by the Roman Pontii; but in the imperial times we find various surnames, where the Samnite Pontii are also mentioned.^[39]

Rutilia

A plebeian gens. No persons of this name are mentioned till the second century before the Christian aera; for instead of Sp. Rutilius Crassus, who occurs in many editions of Livy (4.47) as one of the tribunes of the plebs in B. C. 417, we ought undoubtedly to read Sp. Veturius Crassus. (See Alschefski, ad Liv. l.c.) The first member of the gens who obtained the consulship was P. Rutilius Lupus, who perished during his consulship, B. C. 90, in the Social war. Under the republic the Rutilii appear with the cognomens CALVUS, LUPUS, and RUFUS; but in the imperial period we find several other surnames, of which a list is given below. The persons of this name who are mentioned without a cognomen are spoken of under RUTILIUS, under which head the Rutilii with the cognomens of Calvus and Rufus are also given. The only coins of this gens extant bear on them the cognomen FLACCUS, which does not occur in writers. [FLACCUS, p. 157a.]^[40]

Scribonia

A plebeian gens, is first mentioned at the time of the second Punic war, but the first member of it who obtained the consulship was C. Scribonius Curio in B. C. 76. The principal families in the gens are those of CURIO and LIBO ; and besides these we meet with one or two other surnames in the imperial period, which are given below. On coins Libo is the only cognomen which is found.^[41]

Sempronia

Both patrician and plebeian. This gens was of great antiquity, and one of its members, A. Sempronius Atratinus, obtained the consulship as early as B. C. 497, twelve years after the foundation of the republic. The Sempronii were divided into many families, of which the ATRATINI were undoubtedly patrician, but all the others appear to have been plebeian : their names are ASELLIO, BLAESUS, DENSUS, GRACCHUS, LONGUS, MUSCA, PITIO, RUFUS, RUTILUS, SOPHUS, TUDITANUS. Of these, Atratinus, Gracchus, and Pitio alone occur on coins. The glory of the Sempronia gens is confined to the republican period. Very few persons of this name, and none of them of any importance, are mentioned under the empire.^[42]

Sertoria

This is an attested gens known through the records of Q. Sertorius. He was the son of a reputable father, of Nursia, a Sabine village. His father died young, and he owed a good education to the care of a mother, to whom he was most affectionately attached. ( Plut. Sertor. 2, 22.) Sertorius had no ancestral dignity, and he left no children to perpetuate his name. He had acquired some reputation as a speaker even before he became a soldier. Cicero, who was acquainted with him, commends his facile speech and the sharpness of his judgment. (Brutus, 48.) Bodily strength, endurance of fatigue, sagacity and fertility of resources, qualified him for the life of adventure which it was his lot to have. The ancient writers have amused themselves with comparing him with other remarkable men. Plutarch has instituted a parallel between Sertorius and Eumenes, which is not inappropriate. The comparison with Hannibal, Philippus, and Antigonus, is mainly a classification of one-eyed men; for Sertorius also had lost an eye.^[43]

Sicinia

Sicinia patrician and plebeian. The only patrician member of the gens was T. Sicinius Sabinus, who was consul B. C. 487. [SABINUS, p. 691a.] All the other Sicinii mentioned in history were plebeians; and although none of them obtained the consulship, they gained great celebrity by their advocacy of the rights of the plebeians in the struggles between the two orders. There are a few coins of this gens; one example of which, on the obverse is a female head, with "FORT. P. R." i. e. Fortune Populi Romani, and on the reverse a caduceus and a palm branch, with " Q. SICINIVS IIIVIR." This Q. Sicinius is not mentioned by any ancient writer. (Eckhel. vol. v. p. 313.)^[44]

Suetonia

One of the most famous of the Suetonia gens is that of C. Suetonius Tranquillus. The little that is known of Suetonius is derived from his "Lives of the Caesars" and the letters of his friend, the younger Plinius. The chief work of Suetonius is his "Lives of the Caesars" which, as it appears, were sometimes distributed in eight books, as they are in some manuscripts.^[45]

Terentia

A plebeian gens. The name was said by Varro to be derived from the Sabine word terenus, which signified " soft" (Macr. 2.9.) The Terentii are mentioned as early as B. C. 462, for the C. Terentillus Arsa, who was tribune of the plebs in that year (Liv. 3.9), must have belonged to the gens; and indeed he is called C. Terentius by Dionysius (10.1). The first member of the gens who obtained the consulship was C. Terentius Varro, who commanded at the fatal battle of Cannae in B. C. 216; and persons of the name continue to be mentioned under the early emperors. The principal surnames of the Terentii during the republic are CULLEO, LUCANUS, and VARRO: there are a few others of less importance.^[46]

Tullia

Both patrician and plebeian. This gens was of great antiquity, for even leaving out of question Servius Tullius, the sixth king of Rome, whom Cicero claims as his gentilis (Tusc. 1.16). we are told that the Tullii were one of the Alban houses, which were transplanted to Rome in the reign of Tullus Hostilius. (Liv. 1.30.) According to this statement the Tullii belonged to the minores gentes. We find mention of a Tullius in the reign of the last king of Rome [TULLIUS, No. 1], and of a M'. Tullius Longus, who was consul in the tenth year of the republic, B. C. 500. [LONGUS.] The patrician branch of the gens appears to have become extinct at an early period; for after the early times of the republic no one of the name occurs for some centuries, and the Tullii of a later age are not only plebeians, but, with the exception of their bearing the same name, cannot be regarded as having any connection with the ancient gens. The first plebeian Tullius who rose to the honours of the state was M. Tullius Decula, consul B. C. 81, and the next was the celebrated orator M. Tullius Cicero. [DECULA; CICERO.] The other surnames of the Tullii under the republic belong chiefly to freedmen, and are given below. On coins we find no cognomen. The following coin, which bears on the obverse the head of Pallas and on the reverse Victory driving a quadriga, with the legend of M. TVLLI is supposed by some writers to belong to M. Tullius Cicero, the orator, but the coin is probably of an earlier date. (Eckhel, vol. v. p. 327.).^[47]

Vipsania

An attested gens we see through the recorded accounts of Vipsania Agrippina. he daughter of M. Vipsanius Agrippa by his first wife Pomponia, the daughter of T. Pomponius Atticus, the friend of Cicero. [POMPONIUS, No. 3.] Augustus gave her in marriage to his step-son Tiberius, by whom she was much beloved; but after she had borne him a son, Drusus, and at a time when she was pregnant, Tiberius was compelled to divorce her by the command of the emperor, in order to marry Julia, the daughter of the latter. Vipsania afterwards married Asinius Gallus, whom Tiberius always disliked in consequence, more especially as Gallus asserted that he had previously carried on an adulterous intercourse with Vipsania, and that Drusus was his son. Vipsania died a natural death in A. D. 20. (D. C. 54.31, 57.2; Suet. Tib. 7; Tac. Ann. 1.12, 3.19.).^[48]

Vitellia

In the time of Suetonius it was disputed whether the origin of the Vitellii was ancient and noble, or recent and obscure, and even mean. The adulators of the emperor Vitellius and his enemies were the partizans of the two several opinions. The name of the Vitellii at least was ancient, and they were said to derive their descent from Faunus, king of the Aborigines, and Vitellia, as the name is in the text of Suetonius. (Vitell. c. l.) The family, according to tradition, went from the country of the Sabini to Rome, and was received among the Patricians. As evidence of the existence of this family (stirps), a Via Vitellia, extending from the Janiculum to the sea, is mentioned, and a Roman colonia of the same name, Vitellia, in the country of the Aequi. (Liv. 5.29, 2.39.) The name of the Vitellii occurs among the Romans who conspired to restore the last Tarquinius, and the sister of the Vitellii was the wife of the consul Brutus. (Liv. 2.4.) Cassius Severus and others assigned the meanest origin to the Vitellii : the founder of the stock, according to them, was a freedman. Suetonius leaves the question undecided.^[49]

• History of Gens Vitellia ~ From the ancient History Sourcebook
  

• Publius Vitellius, Knight ~ Suetonius, Lives of the 12 Caesars
  

• Aulus Vitellius ~ Suetonius, Lives of the 12 Caesars
  

Vitellia in Nova Roma

In modern times the most common praenomina have been Lucius, Marcus, Quintus, Sextus, Tiberia, and Titus by citizenship.

• Civis ID# 8446 ~ Lucius Vitellius Triarius
• Civis ID# 8649 ~ Sextus Vitellius Scaurus
• Civis ID# 8831 ~ Quintus Vitellius Arcarius
• Civis ID# 8900 ~ Titus Vitellius Avitus
• Civis ID# 8963 ~ Quintus Vitellius Maius
• Civis ID# 9115 ~ Titus Vitellius Iustus
• Civis ID# 9147 ~ Marcus Vitellius Pulcher
• Civis ID# 9232 ~ Lucius Vitellius Severus
• Civis ID# 12415 ~ Aulus Vitellius Celsus
• Civis ID# 12997 ~ Decimus Vitellius Regulus

References

1. ↑ ^1.1 1.2 Boatwright, M., Gargola, D., Talbert, R. (2004), "The Romans From Village to Empire", Oxford University Press
2. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DA%3Aentry+group%3D6%3Aentry%3Daelia-gens-bio-1
3. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DA%3Aentry+group%3D6%3Aentry%3Daemilia-gens-bio-1
4. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. In the article on Soranus, we find: "at this present time (1848)" and this date seems to reflect the dates of works cited. 1873 - probably the printing date.
5. ↑ Gildas, De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae, circa 540
6. ↑ Bede, Chronica Majora, 725
7. ↑ Nennius, Historia Britonum, circa 833
8. ↑ Geoffrey of Monmouth, Historia Regum Britanniae, circa 1136.
9. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DS%3Aentry+group%3D11%3Aentry%3Dseneca-m-annaeus-bio-1
10. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DA%3Aentry+group%3D29%3Aentry%3Dantonia-gens-bio-1
11. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DA%3Aentry+group%3D45%3Aentry%3Darrius-bio-2
12. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DA%3Aentry+group%3D56%3Aentry%3Daurelia-gens-bio-1
13. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DC%3Aentry+group%3D1%3Aentry%3Dcaecilia-gens-bio-1
14. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DC%3Aentry+group%3D13%3Aentry%3Dcassia-gens-bio-1
15. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DC%3Aentry+group%3D23%3Aentry%3Dclaudia-gens-bio-1
16. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DC%3Aentry+group%3D29%3Aentry%3Dcocceianus-salvius-bio-1
17. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DC%3Aentry+group%3D34%3Aentry%3Dti-coruncanius-bio-1
18. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DC%3Aentry+group%3D39%3Aentry%3Dcuria-gens-bio-1
19. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DC%3Aentry+group%3D39%3Aentry%3Dcuriatia-gens-bio-1
20. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DE%3Aentry+group%3D6%3Aentry%3Dl-equitius-bio-1
21. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DT%3Aentry+group%3D20%3Aentry%3Dtrachalus-galerius-bio-1
22. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DH%3Aentry+group%3D16%3Aentry%3Dhoratia-gens-bio-1
23. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DH%3Aentry+group%3D16%3Aentry%3Dhortensia-gens-1
24. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DI%3Aentry+group%3D11%3Aentry%3Djulia-gens-bio-1
25. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DI%3Aentry+group%3D13%3Aentry%3Djunia-gens-bio-1
26. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DL%3Aentry+group%3D1%3Aentry%3Dlabienus-bio-1
27. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DL%3Aentry+group%3D13%3Aentry%3Dlicinia-gens-bio-1
28. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DL%3Aentry+group%3D17%3Aentry%3Dlucretia-gens-bio-1
29. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DM%3Aentry+group%3D9%3Aentry%3Dmarcia-gens-bio-1
30. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DM%3Aentry+group%3D10%3Aentry%3Dmaria-gens-bio-1
31. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DM%3Aentry+group%3D11%3Aentry%3Dmartinianus-bio-1
32. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DM%3Aentry+group%3D26%3Aentry%3Dminicia-gens-bio-1
33. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DM%3Aentry+group%3D26%3Aentry%3Dminucia-gens-bio-1
34. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DM%3Aentry+group%3D28%3Aentry%3Dmodius-bio-1
35. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street.https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DM%3Aentry+group%3D30%3Aentry%3Dmucia-gens-bio-1
36. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DO%3Aentry+group%3D1%3Aentry%3Doctavia-gens-bio-1
37. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DP%3Aentry+group%3D16%3Aentry%3Dpetronia-gens-bio-1
38. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DP%3Aentry+group%3D38%3Aentry%3Dpompeia-gens-bio-1
39. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DP%3Aentry+group%3D40%3Aentry%3Dpontia-gens-bio-1
40. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DR%3Aentry+group%3D8%3Aentry%3Drutilia-gens-bio-1
41. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DS%3Aentry+group%3D9%3Aentry%3Dscribonia-gens-bio-1
42. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DS%3Aentry+group%3D11%3Aentry%3Dsempronia-gens-bio-1
43. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DS%3Aentry+group%3D13%3Aentry%3Dq-sertorius-bio-1
44. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street.https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DS%3Aentry+group%3D16%3Aentry%3Dsicinia-gens-bio-1
45. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DS%3Aentry+group%3D28%3Aentry%3Dc-suetonius-tranquillus-bio-1
46. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DT%3Aentry+group%3D4%3Aentry%3Dterentia-gens-bio-1
47. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DT%3Aentry+group%3D24%3Aentry%3Dtullia-gens-bio-1
48. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DU%3Aentry+group%3D9%3Aentry%3Dvipsania-agrippina-bio-1
49. ↑ William Smith. A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London. John Murray: printed by Spottiswoode and Co., New-Street Square and Parliament Street. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DU%3Aentry+group%3D9%3Aentry%3Dvitellii-bio-1