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Roman cognomen; Antistius [II 4], Fabius [II 19], Iunius [II 27-28]. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [German version] [1] Theologian from Rome, from 547 in Constantinople and Egypt Deacon of the city of Rome, resided at Constantinople with his uncle Pope Vigilius from AD 547. Became a ferocious defender of the 'Three Chapters' (Synodos), for which reason Vigilius excommunicated him in 550. Banished after the 5th Ecumenical Synod (553), initially to Egyptian Thebes, he wrote Contra Acephalos against the Monophysites (Monophysitism). Subsequently in exile in the Akoimet…

Roman cognomen (gentes name?) of an otherwise unknown family. [German version] [1] G. Commander of the Marianians 82 BC from Capua, as commander in 82 BC supported the Marianians in the Civil War against Sulla (App. B Civ. 1,416). Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [German version] [2] G. Praetor 55 BC, contended in 52 BC for the consulate (possible nickname?), praetor around 55 BC and together with T. Annius [I 14] Milo contender for the consulate for 52 BC (Cic. Ad Q. Fr. 3,6,6; MRR 3,100). Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum)

[German version] Cognomen in the family of the Cornelii ( Cornelius [I 57/58], [II 30]). Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography Kajanto, Cognomina, 210.

[German version] [1] Vestalin (1st half 1st cent. BC) Vestal in 69 BC at the latest. (Macrob. Sat. 3.13.11). Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [German version] [2] A. Arria Camilla (2nd half 1st cent. AD) Probably the daughter of L. Arruntius [II 8] Camillus Scribonianus; must have lived into the Trajanic era (Raepsaet-Charlier, no. 103; PIR2 A 1152). Eck, Werner (Cologne)

Common given name of Oscan or Umbrian origin not used by the Roman upper class (abbreviated in inscriptions as Sa. or Sal.), later appears as a nomen gentile; also a slave name. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) I. Republican Era [German version] [I 1] Slave leader (Slave leader) see Tryphon [2]. Bartels, Jens (Bonn) [German version] [I 2] Centurion named only by Plutarch as one of Pompeius' murderers Centurion named only in Plut. Pompeius 78,1 and 79,4 as one of Pompey's murderers. Bartels, Jens (Bonn) [German version] [I 3] Freedman and probable agent of Caesar Freedman probably active as …

[German version] Cognomen (‘ivory coloured’), derived from the skin or hair colour of Q. Fabius Maximus Eburnus, cos. 116 BC (Ps. Quint. Decl. mai. 3,17; with an obscene meaning in Arnob. 4,26). Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography Kajanto, Cognomina 227.

Name of a plebeian family (further development of Fufius [1]), prominent in Arpinum, the home town of Cicero. [German version] [1] Rom. eques, 1st cent. BC Roman equestrian, in 57 BC creditor to Apollonia in Illyria (Cic. Pis. 86). Possibly identical with the F. from whom Cicero bought a country estate in Arpinum for his brother in 54 (Ad Q. fr. 3,1,3), who appointed Cicero joint heir in 47 (Att. 11,13,3) and whom Horace attacked as a profiteer (Sat. 1,2,12-22). Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography Nicolet 2, 882f. [German version] [2] F., L. Propraetor 80 BC Allegedly ex-centurio (O…

[German version] Roman cognomen, originally meaning 'young animal', later also transferred to humans (cf. Hor. Sat. 1,3,45; Fest. 284); Bearers of the name were L. Iunius [I 27] P. and Q. Numitorius [3] P. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography Kajanto, Cognomina, 299.

[German version] [1] Name Rare Roman cognomen (‘priest’), in the Republican period attested for the Licinii (Licinius [I 41]), in the Imperial period for Marius Plotius [II 5] Claudius S. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography Kajanto, Cognomina, 319. [German version] [2] Priest (plur. sacerdotes). The second part of the Latin word is derived from the Indo-European *dhe- (cf. Greek tithénai, Lat. facere, English do): a sacerdos was thus 'someone who performed sacra '. Sacerdotes became the umbrella term for all religious functionaries, but its meaning as a tech…

[German version] Roman cognomen of presumably Etruscan origin (Schulze, 290, 322; ThlL, Onom. 120-122), in its meaning probably linked with camillus ‘noble-born, not yet mature youth’, then‘ assistant at sacrifices’ (Fest. 38; 82L; Varro, Ling. 7,34 et al.) In the Republican Age, C. is the family cognomen of the Furii; its most famous bearer was M.  Furius C., conqueror of Veii in 396 BC and saviour of Rome after the Gallic invasion. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography Walde/Hofmann 1, 147.

Plebeian tribe, from which senatorial representatives already emerged in the 2nd cent. BC. [German version] [1] L., homo novus, consul 60 BC L., homo novus, supporter of Pompey, distinguished himself as his legate 77-73 (?) BC in the war against Sertorius (Plut. Sert. 19,3 ff.); 72 (?) praetor, 71-67 (?) as proconsul in Spain (conquest of Calagurris, triumph). 66-62 legate in the war against Mithridates. With the support of Pompey, he became consul together with Q. Caecilius Metellus Celer in 60 BC. In 55, sent by Pomp…

Name of a Plebeian family (connection with the Campanian city of Pompeii is unclear). The family acquired political significance with P. [I 1]; he is the origin of the Rufi branch. With P. [I 8] a related branch attained consulship and with his son Cn. P. [I 3] Magnus supplied the most significant member of the gens. Both lineages continue until the early Imperial period (family trees: [1; 2; 3]). I. Republican Period [German version] [I 1] P., Q. Consul 141 BC A homo novus and popular orator (Cic. Brut. 96), he became consul in 141 BC, despite resistance from the nobility a…

Roman nomen gentile, attested from the 1st cent. BC evident mainly in Gallia Cisalpina (frequently confused with Verginius in MSS). The spelling Virgilius for the name of the poet Vergilius [4] is only documented from the 5th cent. AD onwards. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [German version] [1] V. (less frequently: Verginius), C. Legate of Calpurnius [I 19] in Macedonia, 57-55 BC 57-55 BC; legate of Calpurnius [I 19] in Macedonia; depicted by Cicero (Prov. cons. 7) as an example of integrity in contrast with Piso. Perhaps (as in MRR 2,205) identical with V. [2]. Fündling, Jörg (Bonn) …

[German version] Uncommon Latin gens name. Bearers were the (otherwise unknown) builder of the pons Mulvius ( pons Milvius ; late 2nd cent. BC) and a M.M. who as triumvir nocturnus was condemned in 241 BC for appearing too late with his colleagues to fight a fire on the via sacra (Val. Max. 8, 1 damn. 5). Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum)

Roman cognomen (‘the Young Dog’) in the family of the Lutatii ( Lutatius). Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [German version] [1] Epigrammatist see  Lutatius Catulus, Q. Bibliography Kajanto, Cognomina 326.

[German version] [1] Roman cognomen Roman cognomen meaning 'slightly cross-eyed', for instance describing a squint (Cic. Nat. D. 1,80; Hor. Sat. 1,3, 44f. among others). A genetic trait in the families of the Aelii from the 4th cent. BC (Aelius [I 7-11]) and the Autronii in the 1st cent. (Autronius [I 8]); also an epithet for Cicero's friend L. Papirius [I 22] P. More widespread in the Imperial period. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography 1 Degrassi, FCIR, 261 2 Kajanto, Cognomina, 239. [German version] [2] P. Clodius [II 15] Thrasea Paetus see P. Clodius [II 15] Thrasea Paetus

Name of a Latin family which belonged to the upper class in Puteoli (Schulze 480). I. Republican Period [German version] [I 1] Duumvir of Puteoli 78 BC As duumvir of Puteoli, he entered into a dispute with Cornelius [I 90]  Sulla in 78 BC, who was so upset that he died (Val.Max. 9,3,8; Plut. Sulla 37,3). Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [German version] [I 2] G., Q. Public crier and auctioneer Public crier and auctioneer ( praeco) in the late Republican period (Cicero claims to have known him, Brut. 172). Many anecdotes about his wit and repartee (Cic. De or. 2,244; 28…

Roman plebeian family name, attested from the 4th cent. BC onwards (ThlL, Onom. 3,217-227). The most important families into the 1st cent. AD are the Ahenobarbi [I 1-8] and the Calvini [I 9-12]. Identification of some members of the family in the 2nd cent. BC is uncertain. I. Republican period [German version] Domitii Ahenobarbi Family history in Suet. Ner. 1-5. Legend of the origin of the cognomen (ThlL, 1,135; in manuscript also Aenobarbus) ‘Red-beard’, ‘Bronze-beard’ in Suet. Ner. 1,1; Plut. Aem. 25. The family was probably accorded patrician st…

Plebeian gentilicium (also Attinius). The most important gens, verifiable since the end of the 3rd cent., came from Aricia (Cic. Phil. 3,16; Schulze 69; ThlL 2,1174f.). [German version] [1] Volkstribun im 2.Jh. v.Chr., Urheber einer lex Atinia A., tribune of the people in the 2nd cent. BC and author of a lex Atinia about the acceptance of tribunes of the people in the Senate (Gell. NA 14,8,2). Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [German version] [2] A., C. Praetor 188 v. Chr. in Hispania ulterior tribunus militum in the 4th legion in 194 BC, praetor in 188 in Hispania ulterior (MRR 1,344; 36…

Name of a Roman plebeian family. Bearers of the name, recorded from the 3rd cent. BC, not of urban Roman origin, emerged as business people from the 2nd cent. (ILLRP 723b; 747; 1025) and received Roman citizenship perhaps only after the Social War [3]. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) I. Republican period [German version] [I 1] L., L. Proscribed in 82 BC Read his name on one of Sulla's lists of proscribed persons in 82 BC and was thereupon immediately killed on leaving the Forum (Oros. 5,21,4f.). Fündling, Jörg (Bonn) [German version] [I 2] L., L. Pompey's legate against the pirates in 67 BC Pompey'…

Roman surname (Schulze 78; ThlL, Onom. 2,765-770). The fictive early republican relatives of Curtius[I 1-3] are said to be the explanation for the name Lacus Curtius [1. 75ff.]. I. Republican period [German version] [I 1] C., M. Hero of Roman legend Hero of Roman legend. When a crevice opened on the forum in 362 BC and an oracle announced that it would not close up until Rome's greatest possessions were sacrificed to guarantee the eternity of Rome, Curtius interpreted this as a sign of military bravery and jumped in full armour with h…

Name of a family that came from Praeneste, which is documented there already in the Republican era. An Anician achieved the consulate in 160 BC (see [I 4]), but otherwise the tribe does not distinguish itself again in the Republic. In the imperial era, however, the gens blossomed; from the post-Diocletian era until the 4th cent. AD as an urban Roman family, and then, continued by the members of the female line, emerged as Christian aristocracy of great significance in the 5th cent [1]. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) I. Republican era [German version] [I 1] A., C. Senator (middle of the …

[German version] [II] ‘Victor over the Gaetuli’, cognomen of Cossus  Cornelius [II 26] Lentulus G. and his son Cn.  Cornelius [II 29] Lentulus G., as well as C.  Iulius Tiro G. and D. ( Iunius) Silanus G. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography Kajanto, Cognomina 206.

[German version] Modern term for a circle of friends (of debatable historicity) supposedly surrounding P. Cornelius [I 70] Scipio Aemilianus Africanus ( cos. 147, 134 BC). Its members - including C. Laelius [I 2] ( cos. 140), L. Furius [I 28] Philus ( cos. 136), Sp. Mummius [I 4] and P. Rupilius [I 1] ( cos. 132) - are supposed to have been connected by a particular interest in Greek culture (Philhellenism) and a more humane Roman foreign policy (influenced by Stoic teachings as transmitted by Panaetius [4]). The idea of a fixed group can be t…

[I] (Ἄξιος; Áxios). Largest river in  Macedonia, today Vardar; rises in Sar Planina and flows into the Aegean to the west of Thessalonica. Barely navigable owing to its gorges, the A. valley does, however, form the main overland route between the Aegean and the region around the Danube, a route which has been in use from the time of antiquity and is still used today. The A. flowed through the settlement territories of the Dardani, the Paeones and the Macedones (Amphaxitis). [II] Plebeian gentile name, mentioned in records since the 3rd cent. BC and possibly connected with th…

[German version] [1] Q., Roman officer (46 BC) Q., officer (military tribune ?) of Pompey in Spain in 46 BC. (Dio 43,29,3) [1]. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [German version] [2] Cn. (middle of the 1st cent. BC) Cn., accuser of M.  Saufeius 52 BC (Ascon. 55C). Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography 1 Nicolet 2, 779-781. [German version] [3] Died 43 BC Proscribed and murdered in 43 BC (App. B Civ. 4,26). Eck, Werner (Cologne) [German version] [4] Died 68 AD Delator of unknown social rank, lynched by the people in Rome after Nero's death (Plut. Galba 8,7). Eck, Werner (Cologne) …

Name of a Roman plebeian family, in the late Republic also often spelt Plotius, with no clear difference in use (cf. Claudius/Clodius). The earliest epigraphic evidence comes from Praeneste (among it the maker of the Ficoronian Cista, Novios Plautios, CIL I2 561), while the family in Rome achieved political eminence after 367 BC (Münzer therefore considers them to have migrated from Praeneste [1. 42; 44f.; 412]), providing seven consuls between 358 and 318; their migration may explain their interest in integrating Latini (cf. P. [I 5]…

Name of a Roman plebeian family, who probably came from Latium and was accepted into Roman nobility when Latium was integrated politically in 338 BC ( Latin law). The most important branches were first the Salinatores, then the Drusi (on the cognomen see Drusus). The third wife of Augustus and mother of the emperor Tiberius, Livia [2] Drusilla came from this branch (Stemma see Augustus; the family history of the branch is in Suet. Tib. 3). The line of the Salinatores was continued in the late Republic by the Livii Ocellae, who i.a. produced Livia Ocella, the stepmother of the emperor Galba [2]. E…

[German version] [1] Roman cognomen Roman cognomen ('calf bone'), recorded for L. Cornelius [I 56] Lentulus S. etc. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography Degrassi, FCIR, 269  Kajanto, Cognomina, 63; 226. [German version] [2] Aemilius S. Author of a work of history In a gloss on Vell. Pat. 1,6,6, an excerpt from a work by a certain Aemilius S. with the title De annis populi Romani is cited as a supplement to Velleius' presentation of the genealogical derivation of the Macedonian royal house. The excerpt contains an account of the successive five empires…

Roman nomen gentile, in the form Vitellia also a place name, diminutive of Vitulus (thus [1]). The information on the early history of the family in Suet. Vit. 1,1-3 is fictitious. I. Republican period [German version] [I 1] The name is first recorded in the late Republican period. Therefore, the Vitellii fratres, who wanted to topple the young Republic with the Aquilii fratres (Aquillius [I 1]) in 509 BC according to annalistic tradition (Liv. 2,4,1-3; Plut. Publicola 3,4), are fictitious; likewise fictitious is the wife of the founder of the Republic L.…

Italian proper name (Schulze, 158, 456; ThlL, Onom. 2, 566f.) attested from 1st cent. BC, so C. [I 1] below is probably unhistorical. I. Republic [German version] [I 1] C., Q. People's tribune 476 BC People's tribune 476 BC. A later tradition that he proposed an agrarian law with his colleague T. Genucius and initiated a process against the consul of 477, T. Menenius, for not helping the Fabii at the Cremera (Liv. 2,52; Dion. Hal. Ant. Rom. 9,27,2) is of doubtful authenticity. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [German version] [I 2] C., Q. Rich senator, 1st half of the 1st cent. BC In 74 BC was judg…

[German version] Roman cognomen (orthographic variation of  Gallus?) in the  Sulpicii family. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography Degrassi, FCIR 253 Id., FCap 149 Kajanto, Cognomina 195.

Roman family name, documented from the 1st cent. BC (Schulze 136f.; ThlL, Onom. 54f.). I. Republican Age [German version] [I 1] C., M. Official, 1st cent. AD In 74 BC, judge in the first trial of A. Cluentius Habitus, judge in the  Verres trial in 70 BC; in 69 BC, curule aedile together with Cicero (Cic. Verr. 1,29; MRR 2,132). Possibly praetor in 66 BC, because he was regarded as a candidate for the consulship of 63 BC (Cic. Att. 1,1,1); probably identical with the C. mentioned by Cicero (Att. 12,11). Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) II. Imperial Age [German version] [II 1] L.C. Lucillus Macer R…

Roman family name of Etruscan origin ( Ceicna, Schulze, 75, 285, 567; ThlL, Onom. 15f.), whose bearers belonged to the city aristocracy of Volaterrae (cf. Cic. Fam. 6,6,9), where the family is attested in several branches and partly through richly adorned graves. (CIE 18-24; 36-42 et al.). The lineage appeared in Rome from the 1st cent. BC, but never lost its links with its homeland (cognomen Tuscus in C. [II 9]); villa of the Roman city prefect of AD 414, Caecina Decius Atinatius Albinus, (PLRE 1, 50)…

[German version] Roman cognomen (from sal, ‘salt’) in the family of the Livii (Livius [I 11-13]); legend of its origin in Liv. 29,37,4. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography Kajanto, Cognomina, 322.

[German version] Cognomen of L. Caecilius [I 26] Metellus D. ( cos. 117 BC). Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum)

[German version] Italian personal name (Schulze 272). F., C. (P.?), people's tribune in 41 BC and originator of one of the last known plebiscites ( lex Falcidia), which prescribed that a testator could only leave so many legacies as allowed the heir to remain with a quarter of the inheritance ( quarta Falcidiana) (Dig. 35,2; Gai. Inst. 2,227). Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography Kaser, RPR 2, 756f.

Widespread Roman cognomen and family name (‘rush’) [1. 729; 2. 334]. [German version] [1] I., M. Praetor 76 BC Praetor in 76 BC see  Iunius [I 22] I., M. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography 1 Walde/Hofmann 1 2 Kajanto, Cognomina. [German version] [2] I. Vergilianus Senator, one of the circle of Messalina and Silius Senator, who was one of the circle of Messalina and Silius and knew of their marriage; executed in AD 48. His name was perhaps Iunius I. Vergilianus, PIR2 J 712. Eck, Werner (Cologne)

[German version] Roman cognomen ('painter'), inherited in the Fabii family (Fabius [I 31-35]). Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography Kajanto, Cognomina, 321.

[German version] Roman cognomen ('trembling, tremulous'); Q. Marcius [I 28] T. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum)

[German version] Roman cognomen (‘Victor over the Numidians’), victory epithet of Q. Caecilius [I 30] Metellus N. ( cos. 109 BC); also used to denote origin. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography Kajanto, Cognomina, 206.

Gentilicium of a plebeian gens, verifiable from the 3rd cent. BC. The most important branches are the Aviolae (imperial era), Balbi and especially the Glabriones, who are documented from the 3rd cent. BC to the end of the 5th cent. AD [1]. In Rome there was a compitum Acilium, on which the first Greek doctor in Rome was settled in 219 (Plin. HN 29,12 [2. 98]), on the Pincio the horti Aciliorum, in the imperial era the most famous gardens of Rome [2. 195 f.; 3. 488 ff.]. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) I. Republican era [German version] [I 1] Soldier in Caesar's tenth legion Brave soldier in Ca…

Name of a Roman gens, documented only since the 2nd cent. BC. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [German version] [1] N., L. People's tribune in 471 BC Member of the first college of people's tribunes (that of 471 BC) whose members are all known (Calpurnius Piso fr. 23 HRR = Liv. 2,58,1; Diod. Sic. 11,68,8). Müller, Christian (Bochum) [German version] [2] N., P. People's tribune in 449 BC, grandfather or great-uncle of Verginia According to tradition, N. was the grandfather or (great) uncle of Verginia; together with her betrothed, L. Icilius [1], he sought to protect he…

[German version] Cognomen in the Iulii and Vettii ( Iulius, Vettius) families in the Imperial Fasti. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography Degrassi, FCIR 255.

[German version] [1] Roman cognomen Roman cognomen (“child desired by parents”), very widespread in the Imperial period; equally commonly a slave name. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) Bibliography 1 Kajanto, Cognomina, 75; 77; 296 2 H. Solin, Die stadtrömische Sklavennamen, vol. 1, 1994, 110-111. [German version] [2] Flavius O. Imperial grammar teacher, 4th cent. AD Grammar teacher of the son of the emperor Licinius [II 4]. Allegedly, because of his wife's beauty he had great influence under Constantine [1] the Great and was appointed consul b…

Roman cognomen probably of Etruscan origin, as a praenomen passed down for the Aequian king G. Cloelius in 458 BC (Liv. 3,25,5). As cognomen prominent in the family of the Sempronii, especially with the people's tribunes Ti. and C.  Sempronius Gracchus. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [German version] [1] Writer of Lat. tragedies Writer of Latin tragedies ( Thyestes, Atalanta, Peliades), only a short fragment of each is extant (for Inc. inc. fab. 120-124 2R see [4]); Ov. Pont. 4,16,31 names him together with L.  Varius Rufus in a catalogue of contemporary writers. This…

[German version] (T., D. according to coin legends; T., P. according to Cass. Dio 51,8,2). Quaestor in 44 BC and one of Caesar's assassins. He then went with L. Tillius [2] Cimber to Bithynia and supported him in equipping a fleet. After the Battle of Philippi in 42 he remained with the still unbeaten fleet, then crossed to the side of M. Antonius [I 9]. To build the latter's fleet he (probably with the rank of praef.) had some of the trees of the Grove of Asclepius on Cos lumbered and in 31 he minted coins for him (RRC 545). After Antonius' defeat in 30 he was deliv…

Nomen gentile of an Etruscan family (or Perpenna on inscriptions ); the family must have received citizenship early: its rise to political power began with P. [2]. P. [3] was the first person with a non-Roman name to become consul, although he lost his citizenship in 126 BC. [German version] [1] P., C. Praetor no later than 91 BC, legate of consul P. Rutilius Lupus in 90 Probably brother of P. [4], praetor no later than 91 BC, was defeated in 90 as legate of consul P. Rutilius Lupus in the Civil War [3] (App. B Civ. 1,179; 183). MRR 2, 20; 29. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [German version] [2] P., M. L…

Plebeian gentilicium. [German version] [1] see Albanius A. see  Albanius, C. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [German version] [2] L. (1st half 4th cent BC) A., L., at the invasion of the Gauls in 387 BC brought the Vestals safely to Caere (Liv. 5,40,9). Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [German version] [3] M. (L. ?) consular tribune 379 BC. A., M. (L. ?) consular tribune 379 BC. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [German version] [4] Paterculus, L., tribune of the people 494 and 493 BC A. Paterculus, L., one of the first tribunes of the people 494 and 493 BC. He is not named in all sou…

Rare Latin family name (cf. [1]) and Latin praenomen (abbreviated Ap., in the Imperial period also App.), whose ancient derivation from Sabinian (Lib. praen. 6) is not undisputed; mainly documented for the patrician families of the Claudii Pulchri, rarer among the Claudii Nerones, etc. First documented name-bearer was Ap. Claudius Sabinus Inregillensis (Attus Clausus), the founder of the gens Claudia in Rome about 500 BC (Liv. 2,16,4). Because of its almost exclusive occurrence among the gens Cl…