The gens Helvidia was a
plebeian family at
Rome. Members of this
gens are first mentioned in the final decades of the
Republic.[1] A century later, the Helvidii distinguished themselves by what has been called their "earnest, but fruitless, patriotism."[2]
Origin
Cicero mentions Publius Helvidius Rufus in connection with
Larinum, a town of the
Frentani. From this it seems probable that the Helvidii were of
Sabellic origin.[1][2]
Branches and cognomina
The Helvidii used the surnames Priscus and Rufus. The only member of the family found without a surname was the Helvidius who was put to death during the reign of
Domitian; but as he was the son of Helvidius Priscus, it may simply be that his surname has not been preserved in the manuscripts in which he appears.[2]
Members
Publius Helvidius Rufus, a native of Larinum, mentioned by Cicero.[1]
Helvidius Priscus, a statesman from the reigns of
Nero to
Vespasian. His father was a
centurion named Cluvius, but he was adopted into the Helvidian gens. Priscus was
tribune of the plebs in AD 56, and
praetor in 70. His republican sentiments and defiance toward the emperors brought about his banishment on two occasions, and ultimately resulted in his execution under Vespasian.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Helvidius (Priscus), son of the praetor, held the consulship in an uncertain year. Schooled by his father's fate, carefully avoided open opposition to the emperors, but in the reign of Domitian, the
delatores accused him of satirizing one of the emperor's divorces; he was condemned in the
Senate and dragged to prison, followed shortly by his execution. His death was avenged by
Pliny the Younger, who impeached the leader of the delatores.[11][12][13]
Helvidius (Priscus), son of the consular, survived his father.
Helvidia, elder daughter of the consular, died in infancy.
Helvidia, younger daughter of the consular, died in infancy.
Helvidius (or possibly Helvetius), the author of an early Christian treatise arguing against the
perpetual virginity of Mary, based on the "brothers and sisters" of
Jesus mentioned in the
Bible.
St. Jerome wrote a treatise in opposition to Helvidius' argument.
The gens Helvidia was a
plebeian family at
Rome. Members of this
gens are first mentioned in the final decades of the
Republic.[1] A century later, the Helvidii distinguished themselves by what has been called their "earnest, but fruitless, patriotism."[2]
Origin
Cicero mentions Publius Helvidius Rufus in connection with
Larinum, a town of the
Frentani. From this it seems probable that the Helvidii were of
Sabellic origin.[1][2]
Branches and cognomina
The Helvidii used the surnames Priscus and Rufus. The only member of the family found without a surname was the Helvidius who was put to death during the reign of
Domitian; but as he was the son of Helvidius Priscus, it may simply be that his surname has not been preserved in the manuscripts in which he appears.[2]
Members
Publius Helvidius Rufus, a native of Larinum, mentioned by Cicero.[1]
Helvidius Priscus, a statesman from the reigns of
Nero to
Vespasian. His father was a
centurion named Cluvius, but he was adopted into the Helvidian gens. Priscus was
tribune of the plebs in AD 56, and
praetor in 70. His republican sentiments and defiance toward the emperors brought about his banishment on two occasions, and ultimately resulted in his execution under Vespasian.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Helvidius (Priscus), son of the praetor, held the consulship in an uncertain year. Schooled by his father's fate, carefully avoided open opposition to the emperors, but in the reign of Domitian, the
delatores accused him of satirizing one of the emperor's divorces; he was condemned in the
Senate and dragged to prison, followed shortly by his execution. His death was avenged by
Pliny the Younger, who impeached the leader of the delatores.[11][12][13]
Helvidius (Priscus), son of the consular, survived his father.
Helvidia, elder daughter of the consular, died in infancy.
Helvidia, younger daughter of the consular, died in infancy.
Helvidius (or possibly Helvetius), the author of an early Christian treatise arguing against the
perpetual virginity of Mary, based on the "brothers and sisters" of
Jesus mentioned in the
Bible.
St. Jerome wrote a treatise in opposition to Helvidius' argument.