The gens Otacilia, originally Octacilia, was a
plebeian family at
ancient Rome. The
gens first rose to prominence during the
First Punic War, but afterwards lapsed into obscurity. The first of the family to obtain the
consulship was Manius Otacilius Crassus, in 263 BC.[1]
Origin
The
nomenOtacilius may be derived from the
praenomenOctavius. Octacilius is the correct orthography, but Otacilius is the form most common in later sources. The earliest known member of the family was a native of
Maleventum, an ancient city of
Campania, which according to
Pliny was inhabited by the
Hirpini.[1][2][3]
Praenomina
The early Otacilii favored the praenomina Manius,
Titus, and Gaius. The earliest known Otacilius bore the praenomen Numerius, which passed through his daughter to the
Fabii. In later times, Gnaeus and Lucius are found.[1][3]
Branches and cognomina
The only family-names of the Otacilii are Crassus and Naso. Crassus was a common surname, meaning "dull, thick," or "solid." It could refer to appearance, demeanor, or intellect. Naso is thought to refer to a prominent nose.[1][4]
Members
This list includes abbreviated
praenomina. For an explanation of this practice, see
filiation.
Numerius Otacilius Maleventanus, a wealthy native of
Maleventum in the first half of the 5th century BC.[3]
Lucius Otacilius Pilitus, a
freedman, who opened a school at Rome, where he taught rhetoric, in 81 BC. Amongst his pupils was Gnaeus Pompeius, and Otacilius wrote a history of his pupil, and of his father,
Pompeius Strabo.[6][7]
Marcus Otacilius Catulus, consul suffectus in AD 88.
Otacilius Crassus, an officer in the army of
Gnaeus Pompeius, he had the command of
Lissus in
Macedonia. He massacred two hundred and twenty of
Caesar's soldiers, who had surrendered to him on the promise that they should be uninjured. Shortly afterward, he abandoned Lissus, and joined the main body of Pompeius' army.[16]
The gens Otacilia, originally Octacilia, was a
plebeian family at
ancient Rome. The
gens first rose to prominence during the
First Punic War, but afterwards lapsed into obscurity. The first of the family to obtain the
consulship was Manius Otacilius Crassus, in 263 BC.[1]
Origin
The
nomenOtacilius may be derived from the
praenomenOctavius. Octacilius is the correct orthography, but Otacilius is the form most common in later sources. The earliest known member of the family was a native of
Maleventum, an ancient city of
Campania, which according to
Pliny was inhabited by the
Hirpini.[1][2][3]
Praenomina
The early Otacilii favored the praenomina Manius,
Titus, and Gaius. The earliest known Otacilius bore the praenomen Numerius, which passed through his daughter to the
Fabii. In later times, Gnaeus and Lucius are found.[1][3]
Branches and cognomina
The only family-names of the Otacilii are Crassus and Naso. Crassus was a common surname, meaning "dull, thick," or "solid." It could refer to appearance, demeanor, or intellect. Naso is thought to refer to a prominent nose.[1][4]
Members
This list includes abbreviated
praenomina. For an explanation of this practice, see
filiation.
Numerius Otacilius Maleventanus, a wealthy native of
Maleventum in the first half of the 5th century BC.[3]
Lucius Otacilius Pilitus, a
freedman, who opened a school at Rome, where he taught rhetoric, in 81 BC. Amongst his pupils was Gnaeus Pompeius, and Otacilius wrote a history of his pupil, and of his father,
Pompeius Strabo.[6][7]
Marcus Otacilius Catulus, consul suffectus in AD 88.
Otacilius Crassus, an officer in the army of
Gnaeus Pompeius, he had the command of
Lissus in
Macedonia. He massacred two hundred and twenty of
Caesar's soldiers, who had surrendered to him on the promise that they should be uninjured. Shortly afterward, he abandoned Lissus, and joined the main body of Pompeius' army.[16]