Arria gens

The gens Arria was a plebeian family at ancient Rome, which occurs in history beginning in the final century of the Republic, and became quite prominent in imperial times. The first of the gens to achieve prominence was Quintus Arrius, praetor in 72 BC.[1]

Origin

The Arrii were probably of Oscan descent, as their nomen appears to be Oscan.[2] They probably came to Rome some time during the middle or late Republic; Cicero describes the first of the Arrii mentioned in history as a man of low birth, who achieved his station through hard work, rather than by education or talent.[3]

Praenomina

The Arrii of the Republic used the praenomina Quintus, Gaius, and Marcus. Gnaeus occurs in imperial times.

Branches and cognomina

None of the Arrii during the Republic bore any cognomen. In imperial times, we find the surnames Gallus, Varus, and Aper. Gallus and Aper belong to a widespread class of surnames derived from familiar objects and animals; Aper signified a wild boar, while Gallus refers to a cockerel, although it could also refer to a Gaul, indicating someone of Gallic descent or association. Varus, "knock-kneed", was originally given to someone whose legs were turned inward.[4][5]

Members

This list includes abbreviated praenomina. For an explanation of this practice, see filiation.

See also

References

  1. Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, vol. I, p. 350 ("Arria Gens").
  2. Chase, p. 127.
  3. Cicero, Brutus, 69.
  4. Chase, pp. 109, 112–114.
  5. New College Latin & English Dictionary, s. v. aper, gallus.
  6. Livy, Epitome, 96.
  7. Cicero, In Verrem, ii. 15, iv. 20, De Divinatione, p. 383 (ed. Orelli), Brutus, 69.
  8. Pseudo-Asconius, In Ciceronis de Divinatione, p. 101 (ed. Orelli).
  9. Scholia Gronoviana, In Ciceronis de Divinatione, p. 383 (ed. Orelli).
  10. Broughton, vol. II, pp. 109, 117.
  11. Cicero, Epistulae ad Atticum, ii. 5, 7, In Vatinium Testem, 12, Pro Milone, 17, Epistulae ad Quintum Fratrem, i. 3.
  12. Cicero, Epistulae ad Atticum, ii. 14, 15.
  13. Pliny the Younger, Epistulae, iii. 16.
  14. Cassius Dio, lx. 16.
  15. Martial, Epigrams, i. 14.
  16. Joannes Zonaras, Epitome Historiarum xi. 9.
  17. Tacitus, Annales xvi. 34.
  18. Tacitus, Annales, xv. 59.
  19. Tacitus, Historiae, i. 77.
  20. AE 1991, 477; 1993, 461; 1999, 448.
  21. Smallwood, Principates of Nerva, Trajan, and Hadrian.
  22. Eck, "Die Fasti consulares der Regungszeit des Antoninus Pius", p. 74.
  23. Galen, De Theriaca, ad Pisonem, 2, vol. ii. p. 485 (ed. Basil).
  24. Flavius Vopiscus, "The Life of Numerian", 12–14.
  25. Aurelius Victor, De Caesaribus, 38, 39, Epitome De Caesaribus, 38.
  26. Eutropius, ix. 12, 13.

Bibliography

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