The gens Petreia was a minor
plebeian family at
ancient Rome. Members of this
gens are first mentioned toward the end of the second century BC, and several were distinguished as soldiers, but none of them ever attained the
consulship.[1]
Origin
The nomen Petreius belongs to a large class of gentilicia ending in -eius, many of which were
Oscan or
Umbrian, and derived from place names and cognomina originally ending in -as or -aes. However, in this instance it seems more likely that Petreius is a patronymic surname, derived from the Oscan
praenomenPetrus or Petro.[2] Since the first of the Petreii mentioned came from
Atina, in
Samnium, it seems likely that the family was of
Samnite origin.[3]
Praenomina
The only praenomina used by the Petreii appearing in history are Gnaeus and Marcus. In inscriptions, Marcus, Gaius, Lucius, and Quintus are regularly found, while other names are hardly used.
Branches and cognomina
None of the Petreii mentioned under the
Republic bore any surname. Numerous
cognomina appear in inscriptions, most of which are from
imperial times, but none of them seem to represent distinct families.
Members
This list includes abbreviated
praenomina. For an explanation of this practice, see
filiation.
Gnaeus Petreius, a native of Atina, was a
senior centurion serving in the army of the consul
Quintus Lutatius Catulus during the
Cimbrian War in 102 BC. He was decorated with the
Grass Crown, the highest honor able to be bestowed upon a Roman soldier, for his skill and bravery, which saved his
legion from destruction.[3][4]
(Marcus) Petreius M. f., son of Marcus Petreius, the legate of Pompeius, is reported by
Orosius to have been captured after the Battle of Thapsus, and put to death at Caesar's orders; however, Orosius wrongly ascribes a similar fate to the family of
Faustus Cornelius Sulla, so this account of Petreius' fate is highly suspect.[18][19]
Marcus Petreius S. f. Callisto, buried at Rome, in a tomb dating to the first century AD, aged fifteen years, thirty-five days.[24]
Petreia C. f. Celerina, the sister of Gaius Petreius Rufinus, together with whom she dedicated a monument to their mother, Floria Rufina, at
Terventum in Samnium.[25]
Bulletin Archéologique du Comité des Travaux Historiques et Scientifiques (Archaeological Bulletin of the Committee on Historic and Scientific Works, abbreviated BCTH), Imprimerie Nationale, Paris (1885–1973).
René Cagnat et alii, L'Année épigraphique (The Year in Epigraphy, abbreviated AE), Presses Universitaires de France (1888–present).
The gens Petreia was a minor
plebeian family at
ancient Rome. Members of this
gens are first mentioned toward the end of the second century BC, and several were distinguished as soldiers, but none of them ever attained the
consulship.[1]
Origin
The nomen Petreius belongs to a large class of gentilicia ending in -eius, many of which were
Oscan or
Umbrian, and derived from place names and cognomina originally ending in -as or -aes. However, in this instance it seems more likely that Petreius is a patronymic surname, derived from the Oscan
praenomenPetrus or Petro.[2] Since the first of the Petreii mentioned came from
Atina, in
Samnium, it seems likely that the family was of
Samnite origin.[3]
Praenomina
The only praenomina used by the Petreii appearing in history are Gnaeus and Marcus. In inscriptions, Marcus, Gaius, Lucius, and Quintus are regularly found, while other names are hardly used.
Branches and cognomina
None of the Petreii mentioned under the
Republic bore any surname. Numerous
cognomina appear in inscriptions, most of which are from
imperial times, but none of them seem to represent distinct families.
Members
This list includes abbreviated
praenomina. For an explanation of this practice, see
filiation.
Gnaeus Petreius, a native of Atina, was a
senior centurion serving in the army of the consul
Quintus Lutatius Catulus during the
Cimbrian War in 102 BC. He was decorated with the
Grass Crown, the highest honor able to be bestowed upon a Roman soldier, for his skill and bravery, which saved his
legion from destruction.[3][4]
(Marcus) Petreius M. f., son of Marcus Petreius, the legate of Pompeius, is reported by
Orosius to have been captured after the Battle of Thapsus, and put to death at Caesar's orders; however, Orosius wrongly ascribes a similar fate to the family of
Faustus Cornelius Sulla, so this account of Petreius' fate is highly suspect.[18][19]
Marcus Petreius S. f. Callisto, buried at Rome, in a tomb dating to the first century AD, aged fifteen years, thirty-five days.[24]
Petreia C. f. Celerina, the sister of Gaius Petreius Rufinus, together with whom she dedicated a monument to their mother, Floria Rufina, at
Terventum in Samnium.[25]
Bulletin Archéologique du Comité des Travaux Historiques et Scientifiques (Archaeological Bulletin of the Committee on Historic and Scientific Works, abbreviated BCTH), Imprimerie Nationale, Paris (1885–1973).
René Cagnat et alii, L'Année épigraphique (The Year in Epigraphy, abbreviated AE), Presses Universitaires de France (1888–present).