The gens Suellia was a minor
plebeian family at
ancient Rome. Members of this
gens first appear in the time of the
Republic, but few are mentioned by ancient writers. Others are known from inscriptions. The Suellii are easily confused with the
Suilii, although there is a possibility that the two gentes were in fact identical. The most illustrious of this family was probably Gnaeus Suellius Rufus Marcianus, who was consul during the reign of
Commodus.
Origin
The
nomenSuellius appears to belong to a class of gentilicia typically formed from
cognomina with diminutive endings, such as -ulus, or the double diminutive -illus, but occasionally formed directly from surnames without these endings.[1] The greater number of Suellii mentioned in inscriptions came from
Samnium, strongly indicating that this gens was of
Samnite origin.
Praenomina
The Suellii used a variety of common
praenomina, chiefly Marcus, Gnaeus, and Gaius. One of the earlier inscriptions provides an example of the relatively distinctive praenomen Vibius, which was relatively uncommon at Rome, although more abundant in the countryside.
Branches and cognomina
Most of the Suellii known from epigraphy lived during
imperial times, when the surnames assumed by the Roman nobility were highly changeable, but a distinct family of the Suellii at
Ligures Baebiani, where they bore the cognomina Flaccus and Rufus. Both of these belonged to an abundant type of cognomen derived from the physical features of individuals, with Flaccus designating someone flabby, or with large or floppy ears, while Rufus, "reddish", usually referred to someone with red hair.[2][3] This family may have originated at
Beneventum.[4]Quartus, the surname of a
colonial family of north Africa, would originally have designated a fourth son or fourth child.[5]
Members
This list includes abbreviated
praenomina. For an explanation of this practice, see
filiation.
Suellia, buried in a second-century family sepulchre at
Aufidena in
Samnium.[6]
Suellius, buried at
Beneventum in Samnium, with a monument from his parents.[7]
Suellius, named in an inscription from
Onnum in
Britannia, dating between the middle of the second century and the end of the third.[9]
Gaius Suellius, named in an inscription from Rome.[10]
Gaius Suellius P. f., named in an inscription from
Venafrum in Samnium, dating between 50 and 20 BC.[11]
Gnaeus Suellius, buried in a first-century tomb at
Uria in
Apulia, dedicated by his wife, Suellia Primigenia, and daughter, Suellia Festa.[12]
Gnaeus Suellius Cn. f., a
quaestor from Beneventum, named together with several others in an inscription dating from the middle or late third century BC.[13][14]
Quintus Suellius Q. f., an
eques, and one of the local
magistrates at
Peltuinum in Samnium during the middle or late first century BC, along with Gaius Suellius Aemilianus.[15]
Vibius Suellius C. f., an eques, and one of the
aediles at Peltuinum during the first half of the first century BC.[16]
Gaius Suellius T. f. Aemilianus, an eques, and one of the local magistrates at Peltuinum during the middle or late first century BC, along with Quintus Suellius.[15]
Marcus Suellius M. l. Amabilis, one of the freedmen of Marcus Suellius Cruscillio, named in an inscription from
Ostia in
Latium, dating from the first half of the first century.[17]
Suellia Ɔ. P. l. Anna, the freedwoman of Publius Suellius Luscus and his wife, and the wife of Quintus Vergilius Philotimus, was buried with her husband at Ostia, in a sepulchre built by Quintus Vergilius Amphio and Quintus Vergilius Apollonius for them, their freedman, Quintus Vergilius Hilarus, Quintus Vergilius R[...], and Quintus Vergilius Pansa.[18]
Lucius Suellius L. l. Apollonius, a freedman named in a sepulchral inscription from Rome, dating to the first half of the first century, along with Suellia Praesta.[19]
Marcus Suellius M. l. Bargates, one of the freedmen of Marcus Suellius Cruscillio, named in an inscription from Ostia, dating from the first half of the first century.[17]
Suellia M. l. Calemera, the freedwoman of Marcus Suellius Cruscillio, named in an inscription from Ostia, dating from the first half of the first century.[17]
Gnaeus Suellius Classetianus Bassus, buried at Beneventum, in a tomb dating to the latter half of the third century, aged forty years, six months.[21]
Suellia C. f. Consanica, the priestess of
Ceres and
Libera, was buried at
Aesernia in Samnium, in a tomb dating between 50 BC and AD 50.[22]
Marcus Suellius Cruscellio, the former master of the freedmen Marcus Suellius Amabilis, Marcus Suellius Bargates, Suellia Calemera, Marcus Suellius Primus, Marcus Suellius Secundus, and Marcus Suellius Zeno, named in an inscription from Ostia, dating from the first half of the first century.[17]
Sextus Suellius Dama[...], dedicated a sepulchre at Beneventum for himself, his wife, Suellia Salvia, and their family.[23]
Gnaeus Suellius Cn. l. Eros, a freedman named in a sepulchral inscription from
Ligures Baebiani in Samnium.[24]
Gnaeus Suellius Eutyches, named in an inscription from
Pagus Vetanus in Samnium.[25]
Suellia Cn. f. Festa, along with her mother, Suellia Primigenia, dedicated a first-century tomb at Uria to her father, Gnaeus Suellius.[12]
Suellius Flaccus, listed among the property owners at Ligures Baebiani in AD 101; his property was valued at 120,000
sestertii. He might be the same as the
legate Gnaeus Suellius Flaccus. Either he or another Suellius Flaccus is listed later, together with Suellius Rufus, with property valued at 109,000 sestertii.[26][4]
Suellia Fortunata, buried at Rome, aged seventy-five.[29]
Suellius Fortunatus, a member of the builders' guild at Ostia in AD 198.[30]
Quintus Suellius Fortunius, a young man buried at Rome during the latter half of the second century, aged twenty-five years, ten months, and twenty-five days, in a tomb dedicated by his father.[31]
Suellia Grata, buried at Rome during the early second century, in a tomb dedicated by her husband, Lucius Annius Esychus.[32]
Marcus Suellius Hermes, buried at Ostia between AD 50 and 150, in a tomb dedicated by his wife, Suellia Psyche.[33]
Marcus Suellius M[...]s, one of the municipal
duumvirs at Ostia in AD 19. He was serving as duumvir for the second time.[34]
Marcus Suellius Maximus, a native of Ivanum, was a soldier in the
Praetorian Guard in AD 144.[35]
Lucius Suellius Ɔ. l. Nicomachus, buried at
Corfinium in
Sabinum in a tomb dedicated by Gaius Titacius Tertius, and dating to the late first century BC.[37]
Suellius Onesimus, buried at Rome, with a monument from the actor Hector.[38]
Marcus Suellius Perpetualis, named in an inscription commemorating the members of a guild at Ostia in AD 145.[39]
Gaius Suellius Pontianus, together with his cousin, Suellius Quartus, dedicated a tomb at the site of modern Qasr Manarah, formerly part of
Africa Proconsularis, for Quartus' father, also named Suellius Quartus.[40]
Suellia L. l. Praesta, a freedwoman named in a sepulchral inscription from Rome, dating to the first half of the first century, along with Lucius Suellius Apollonius.[19]
Suellia Primigenia, along with her daughter, Suellia Festa, dedicated a first-century tomb at Uria for her husband, Gnaeus Suellius.[12]
Suellius Primus, dedicated a tomb for his wife, Crispia Amanda, aged seventy, at Ligures Baebiani, dating between AD 150 and 230.[41]
Marcus Suellius M. l. Primus, one of the freedmen of Marcus Suellius Cruscillio, named in an inscription from Ostia, dating from the first half of the first century.[17]
Suellia Prisca, dedicated a second- or third-century monument at
Luceria in Apulia for her husband, Lucius Gavellius Felix.[42]
Suellia M. l. Psyche, a freedwoman, and the wife of Marcus Suellius Hermes, for whom she built a tomb at Ostia, dating from the latter half of the first century, or the first half of the second.[33]
Suellius Quartus, dedicated a tomb at the present site of El-Kley, formerly part of Africa Proconsularis, for his son, Marcus Suellius Quartus. He might be the same Suellius Quartus buried at modern Qasr Manarah, with a monument from his son, also named Suellius Quartus, and his cousin, Gaius Suellius Pontianus.[43][40]
Suellius Quartus, along with his cousin, Gaius Suellius Pontianus, dedicated a tomb at modern Qasr Manarah for his father, also named Suellius Quartus.[40]
Marcus Suellius Quartus, buried at the present site of El-Kley, aged thirty-six years, thirty days, with a monument from his father, Suellius Quartus.[43]
Suellius Rufus, named in an inscription commemorating one of the guilds at
Portus in Latium.[44]
Suellius Rufus, together with Suellius Flaccus, possibly the legate of that name, was listed among the property owners at Ligures Baebiani in AD 101, with property valued at 109,000 sestertii.[26]
Gnaeus Suellius Cn. f. Rufus Marcianus, a youth from a
senatorial family, listed among the heirs of Julia Valeria Marciana Crispinilla in an inscription from
Puteoli in Campania, dating between AD 165 and 172. He was consul in an uncertain year between AD 184 and 192, and
Legatus Augusti pro praetore of
Thracia[i] between AD 189 and 191. An inscription from
Crete refers to him as
proconsul. As curator of the temples and public works at Rome, he made a dedication to the
Magna Mater on the sixth day before the Kalends of April[ii] in AD 192.[45][46][47][48]
Suellia Ɔ. l. Sabina, a freedwoman named in an inscription from Beneventum.[49]
Suellia Salvia, buried in a family sepulchre at Beneventum, dedicated by her husband, Sextus Suellius Dama[...].[23]
Suellius Saturninus, one of the duplicarii, or soldiers entitled to double pay, in the Legio III Augusta at
Lambaesis in
Numidia during the reign of
Elagabalus.[50]
Marcus Suellius M. l. Saturus, a freedman named in an inscription from Rome.[51]
Suellius Secundinus, probably a freedman serving in the Vigiles, who participated in a military play in the role of stupidus, a fool, in AD 212.[52]
Marcus Suellius M. l. Secundus, one of the freedmen of Marcus Suellius Cruscillio, named in an inscription from Ostia, dating from the first half of the first century.[17]
Suellius Septiminus, dedicated a fourth-century sepulchre at
Salona in
Dalmatia for his wife, Desidiena Profutura, and son, also named Suellius Septiminus.[53]
Suellius Septiminus, buried at Salona, along with his mother, Desidiena Profutura, with a monument from his father, also named Suellius Septiminus.[53]
Marcus Suellius Sindaeus, named in a sepulchral inscription from
Bovianum Undecimanorum in Samnium, dating between 27 BC and AD 50.[54]
Gnaeus Suellius Vitalio, a soldier in the century of Septimius Romulus, in the fifth
cohort of the
Vigiles at Rome in AD 205.[55]
Titus Suellius Vitalis, buried at
Uchi Maius, where he had lived for sixteen years.[56]
Marcus Suellius M. l. Zeno, one of the freedmen of Marcus Suellius Cruscillio, named in an inscription from Ostia, dating from the first half of the first century.[17]
Friedrich Hild, Supplementum epigraphicum zu CIL III: das pannonische Niederösterreich, Burgenland und Wien 1902–1968 (Epigraphic Supplement to CIL III: Pannonian Lower Austria, Burgenland, and Vienna 1902–1968), Vienna (1968).
La Carte Archéologique de la Gaule (Archaeological Map of Gaul, abbreviated CAG), Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres (1931–present).
Emilio Magaldi, Rivista di Studi Pompeiani (Journal of Pompeian Studies, abbreviated RSP), Tipografia G. Torella & Figlio, Napoli (1934–present).
John C. Traupman, The New College Latin & English Dictionary, Bantam Books, New York (1995).
The gens Suellia was a minor
plebeian family at
ancient Rome. Members of this
gens first appear in the time of the
Republic, but few are mentioned by ancient writers. Others are known from inscriptions. The Suellii are easily confused with the
Suilii, although there is a possibility that the two gentes were in fact identical. The most illustrious of this family was probably Gnaeus Suellius Rufus Marcianus, who was consul during the reign of
Commodus.
Origin
The
nomenSuellius appears to belong to a class of gentilicia typically formed from
cognomina with diminutive endings, such as -ulus, or the double diminutive -illus, but occasionally formed directly from surnames without these endings.[1] The greater number of Suellii mentioned in inscriptions came from
Samnium, strongly indicating that this gens was of
Samnite origin.
Praenomina
The Suellii used a variety of common
praenomina, chiefly Marcus, Gnaeus, and Gaius. One of the earlier inscriptions provides an example of the relatively distinctive praenomen Vibius, which was relatively uncommon at Rome, although more abundant in the countryside.
Branches and cognomina
Most of the Suellii known from epigraphy lived during
imperial times, when the surnames assumed by the Roman nobility were highly changeable, but a distinct family of the Suellii at
Ligures Baebiani, where they bore the cognomina Flaccus and Rufus. Both of these belonged to an abundant type of cognomen derived from the physical features of individuals, with Flaccus designating someone flabby, or with large or floppy ears, while Rufus, "reddish", usually referred to someone with red hair.[2][3] This family may have originated at
Beneventum.[4]Quartus, the surname of a
colonial family of north Africa, would originally have designated a fourth son or fourth child.[5]
Members
This list includes abbreviated
praenomina. For an explanation of this practice, see
filiation.
Suellia, buried in a second-century family sepulchre at
Aufidena in
Samnium.[6]
Suellius, buried at
Beneventum in Samnium, with a monument from his parents.[7]
Suellius, named in an inscription from
Onnum in
Britannia, dating between the middle of the second century and the end of the third.[9]
Gaius Suellius, named in an inscription from Rome.[10]
Gaius Suellius P. f., named in an inscription from
Venafrum in Samnium, dating between 50 and 20 BC.[11]
Gnaeus Suellius, buried in a first-century tomb at
Uria in
Apulia, dedicated by his wife, Suellia Primigenia, and daughter, Suellia Festa.[12]
Gnaeus Suellius Cn. f., a
quaestor from Beneventum, named together with several others in an inscription dating from the middle or late third century BC.[13][14]
Quintus Suellius Q. f., an
eques, and one of the local
magistrates at
Peltuinum in Samnium during the middle or late first century BC, along with Gaius Suellius Aemilianus.[15]
Vibius Suellius C. f., an eques, and one of the
aediles at Peltuinum during the first half of the first century BC.[16]
Gaius Suellius T. f. Aemilianus, an eques, and one of the local magistrates at Peltuinum during the middle or late first century BC, along with Quintus Suellius.[15]
Marcus Suellius M. l. Amabilis, one of the freedmen of Marcus Suellius Cruscillio, named in an inscription from
Ostia in
Latium, dating from the first half of the first century.[17]
Suellia Ɔ. P. l. Anna, the freedwoman of Publius Suellius Luscus and his wife, and the wife of Quintus Vergilius Philotimus, was buried with her husband at Ostia, in a sepulchre built by Quintus Vergilius Amphio and Quintus Vergilius Apollonius for them, their freedman, Quintus Vergilius Hilarus, Quintus Vergilius R[...], and Quintus Vergilius Pansa.[18]
Lucius Suellius L. l. Apollonius, a freedman named in a sepulchral inscription from Rome, dating to the first half of the first century, along with Suellia Praesta.[19]
Marcus Suellius M. l. Bargates, one of the freedmen of Marcus Suellius Cruscillio, named in an inscription from Ostia, dating from the first half of the first century.[17]
Suellia M. l. Calemera, the freedwoman of Marcus Suellius Cruscillio, named in an inscription from Ostia, dating from the first half of the first century.[17]
Gnaeus Suellius Classetianus Bassus, buried at Beneventum, in a tomb dating to the latter half of the third century, aged forty years, six months.[21]
Suellia C. f. Consanica, the priestess of
Ceres and
Libera, was buried at
Aesernia in Samnium, in a tomb dating between 50 BC and AD 50.[22]
Marcus Suellius Cruscellio, the former master of the freedmen Marcus Suellius Amabilis, Marcus Suellius Bargates, Suellia Calemera, Marcus Suellius Primus, Marcus Suellius Secundus, and Marcus Suellius Zeno, named in an inscription from Ostia, dating from the first half of the first century.[17]
Sextus Suellius Dama[...], dedicated a sepulchre at Beneventum for himself, his wife, Suellia Salvia, and their family.[23]
Gnaeus Suellius Cn. l. Eros, a freedman named in a sepulchral inscription from
Ligures Baebiani in Samnium.[24]
Gnaeus Suellius Eutyches, named in an inscription from
Pagus Vetanus in Samnium.[25]
Suellia Cn. f. Festa, along with her mother, Suellia Primigenia, dedicated a first-century tomb at Uria to her father, Gnaeus Suellius.[12]
Suellius Flaccus, listed among the property owners at Ligures Baebiani in AD 101; his property was valued at 120,000
sestertii. He might be the same as the
legate Gnaeus Suellius Flaccus. Either he or another Suellius Flaccus is listed later, together with Suellius Rufus, with property valued at 109,000 sestertii.[26][4]
Suellia Fortunata, buried at Rome, aged seventy-five.[29]
Suellius Fortunatus, a member of the builders' guild at Ostia in AD 198.[30]
Quintus Suellius Fortunius, a young man buried at Rome during the latter half of the second century, aged twenty-five years, ten months, and twenty-five days, in a tomb dedicated by his father.[31]
Suellia Grata, buried at Rome during the early second century, in a tomb dedicated by her husband, Lucius Annius Esychus.[32]
Marcus Suellius Hermes, buried at Ostia between AD 50 and 150, in a tomb dedicated by his wife, Suellia Psyche.[33]
Marcus Suellius M[...]s, one of the municipal
duumvirs at Ostia in AD 19. He was serving as duumvir for the second time.[34]
Marcus Suellius Maximus, a native of Ivanum, was a soldier in the
Praetorian Guard in AD 144.[35]
Lucius Suellius Ɔ. l. Nicomachus, buried at
Corfinium in
Sabinum in a tomb dedicated by Gaius Titacius Tertius, and dating to the late first century BC.[37]
Suellius Onesimus, buried at Rome, with a monument from the actor Hector.[38]
Marcus Suellius Perpetualis, named in an inscription commemorating the members of a guild at Ostia in AD 145.[39]
Gaius Suellius Pontianus, together with his cousin, Suellius Quartus, dedicated a tomb at the site of modern Qasr Manarah, formerly part of
Africa Proconsularis, for Quartus' father, also named Suellius Quartus.[40]
Suellia L. l. Praesta, a freedwoman named in a sepulchral inscription from Rome, dating to the first half of the first century, along with Lucius Suellius Apollonius.[19]
Suellia Primigenia, along with her daughter, Suellia Festa, dedicated a first-century tomb at Uria for her husband, Gnaeus Suellius.[12]
Suellius Primus, dedicated a tomb for his wife, Crispia Amanda, aged seventy, at Ligures Baebiani, dating between AD 150 and 230.[41]
Marcus Suellius M. l. Primus, one of the freedmen of Marcus Suellius Cruscillio, named in an inscription from Ostia, dating from the first half of the first century.[17]
Suellia Prisca, dedicated a second- or third-century monument at
Luceria in Apulia for her husband, Lucius Gavellius Felix.[42]
Suellia M. l. Psyche, a freedwoman, and the wife of Marcus Suellius Hermes, for whom she built a tomb at Ostia, dating from the latter half of the first century, or the first half of the second.[33]
Suellius Quartus, dedicated a tomb at the present site of El-Kley, formerly part of Africa Proconsularis, for his son, Marcus Suellius Quartus. He might be the same Suellius Quartus buried at modern Qasr Manarah, with a monument from his son, also named Suellius Quartus, and his cousin, Gaius Suellius Pontianus.[43][40]
Suellius Quartus, along with his cousin, Gaius Suellius Pontianus, dedicated a tomb at modern Qasr Manarah for his father, also named Suellius Quartus.[40]
Marcus Suellius Quartus, buried at the present site of El-Kley, aged thirty-six years, thirty days, with a monument from his father, Suellius Quartus.[43]
Suellius Rufus, named in an inscription commemorating one of the guilds at
Portus in Latium.[44]
Suellius Rufus, together with Suellius Flaccus, possibly the legate of that name, was listed among the property owners at Ligures Baebiani in AD 101, with property valued at 109,000 sestertii.[26]
Gnaeus Suellius Cn. f. Rufus Marcianus, a youth from a
senatorial family, listed among the heirs of Julia Valeria Marciana Crispinilla in an inscription from
Puteoli in Campania, dating between AD 165 and 172. He was consul in an uncertain year between AD 184 and 192, and
Legatus Augusti pro praetore of
Thracia[i] between AD 189 and 191. An inscription from
Crete refers to him as
proconsul. As curator of the temples and public works at Rome, he made a dedication to the
Magna Mater on the sixth day before the Kalends of April[ii] in AD 192.[45][46][47][48]
Suellia Ɔ. l. Sabina, a freedwoman named in an inscription from Beneventum.[49]
Suellia Salvia, buried in a family sepulchre at Beneventum, dedicated by her husband, Sextus Suellius Dama[...].[23]
Suellius Saturninus, one of the duplicarii, or soldiers entitled to double pay, in the Legio III Augusta at
Lambaesis in
Numidia during the reign of
Elagabalus.[50]
Marcus Suellius M. l. Saturus, a freedman named in an inscription from Rome.[51]
Suellius Secundinus, probably a freedman serving in the Vigiles, who participated in a military play in the role of stupidus, a fool, in AD 212.[52]
Marcus Suellius M. l. Secundus, one of the freedmen of Marcus Suellius Cruscillio, named in an inscription from Ostia, dating from the first half of the first century.[17]
Suellius Septiminus, dedicated a fourth-century sepulchre at
Salona in
Dalmatia for his wife, Desidiena Profutura, and son, also named Suellius Septiminus.[53]
Suellius Septiminus, buried at Salona, along with his mother, Desidiena Profutura, with a monument from his father, also named Suellius Septiminus.[53]
Marcus Suellius Sindaeus, named in a sepulchral inscription from
Bovianum Undecimanorum in Samnium, dating between 27 BC and AD 50.[54]
Gnaeus Suellius Vitalio, a soldier in the century of Septimius Romulus, in the fifth
cohort of the
Vigiles at Rome in AD 205.[55]
Titus Suellius Vitalis, buried at
Uchi Maius, where he had lived for sixteen years.[56]
Marcus Suellius M. l. Zeno, one of the freedmen of Marcus Suellius Cruscillio, named in an inscription from Ostia, dating from the first half of the first century.[17]
Friedrich Hild, Supplementum epigraphicum zu CIL III: das pannonische Niederösterreich, Burgenland und Wien 1902–1968 (Epigraphic Supplement to CIL III: Pannonian Lower Austria, Burgenland, and Vienna 1902–1968), Vienna (1968).
La Carte Archéologique de la Gaule (Archaeological Map of Gaul, abbreviated CAG), Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres (1931–present).
Emilio Magaldi, Rivista di Studi Pompeiani (Journal of Pompeian Studies, abbreviated RSP), Tipografia G. Torella & Figlio, Napoli (1934–present).
John C. Traupman, The New College Latin & English Dictionary, Bantam Books, New York (1995).