The gens Caecinia was a

plebeian In ancient Rome, the plebeians (also called plebs) were the general body of free Roman citizens who were not patricians, as determined by the census, or in other words " commoners". Both classes were hereditary. Etymology The precise origins of ...

family of

Etruscan __NOTOC__ Etruscan may refer to: Ancient civilization *The Etruscan language, an extinct language in ancient Italy *Something derived from or related to the Etruscan civilization **Etruscan architecture **Etruscan art **Etruscan cities **Etruscan ...

origin at ancient Rome. Members of this

gens In ancient Rome, a gens ( or , ; plural: ''gentes'' ) was a family consisting of individuals who shared the same Roman naming conventions#Nomen, nomen and who claimed descent from a common ancestor. A branch of a gens was called a ''stirps'' (p ...

are first mentioned in the time of Cicero, and they remained prominent through the first century of the Empire, before fading into obscurity in the time of the

Flavian emperors The Flavian dynasty ruled the Roman Empire between AD 69 and 96, encompassing the reigns of Vespasian (69–79), and his two sons Titus (79–81) and Domitian (81–96). The Flavians rose to power during the civil war of 69, known as ...

. A family of this name rose to prominence once more at the beginning of the fifth century.''Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology'', vol. I, p. 529 (" Caecina").

Origin

The Etruscan roots of the Caecinae are indicated by the form of their nomen, which in the masculine form ends in ', typical of Etruscan names. The feminine form, ''Caecinia'', is formed as though the masculine form were ''Caecinius'', which is also encountered, though rarely, in inscriptions. The Caecinae seem either to have derived their name from, or given it to, the river Caecina, which flows by the town of Volaterrae, one of the ancient cities of

Etruria Etruria () was a region of Central Italy, located in an area that covered part of what are now most of Tuscany, northern Lazio, and northern and western Umbria. Etruscan Etruria The ancient people of Etruria are identified as Etruscan civiliza ...

. A sepulchre belonging to the Caecinae has been discovered near Volaterrae; a beautiful sarcophagus, now in the Museum of Paris, was found inside. The poet Caecina had a villa in the same neighbourhood, and families of the name have resided at modern Volterra until the present day. From the tomb of the Caecinae, we learn that ''Ceicna'' was the Etruscan form of the name.

Praenomina

The chief praenomina of the Caecinae were ''

Aulus Aulus (abbreviated A.) is one of the small group of common forenames found in the culture of ancient Rome. The name was traditionally connected with Latin ''aula'', ''olla'', "palace", but this is most likely a false etymology. ''Aulus'' in fact p ...

'', ''

Gaius Gaius, sometimes spelled ''Gajus'', Kaius, Cajus, Caius, was a common Latin praenomen; see Gaius (praenomen). People *Gaius (jurist) (), Roman jurist *Gaius Acilius *Gaius Antonius *Gaius Antonius Hybrida *Gaius Asinius Gallus *Gaius Asinius Pol ...

'', and '' Lucius'', all of which were common throughout Roman history. Other common praenomina are occasionally found, including ''

Quintus Quintus is a male given name derived from '' Quintus'', a common Latin forename (''praenomen'') found in the culture of ancient Rome. Quintus derives from Latin word ''quintus'', meaning "fifth". Quintus is an English masculine given name and ...

'', '' Publius'', and ''

Sextus Sextus is an ancient Roman '' praenomen'' or "first name". Its standard abbreviation is Sex., and the feminine form would be Sexta. It is one of the numeral ''praenomina'', like Quintus ("fifth") and Decimus ("tenth"), and means "sixth". Althoug ...

''.

Branches and cognomina

The family was divided into several branches, and we accordingly find on the funeral urns the

cognomina A ''cognomen'' (; plural ''cognomina''; from ''con-'' "together with" and ''(g)nomen'' "name") was the third name of a citizen of ancient Rome, under Roman naming conventions. Initially, it was a nickname, but lost that purpose when it became here ...

''Caspu'' and ''Tlapuni''; in Latin inscriptions we also meet with the surnames ''Quadratus'' and ''Placidus'', and various others occur.

Members

* Aulus Caecina, a native of Volaterrae, whom Cicero defended in his oration, ''Pro Caecina'', in 69 BC. * Aulus Caecina A. f. Severus, an orator and scholar of Etruscan culture. He was a political opponent of

Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar (; ; 12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC), was a Roman people, Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in Caes ...

, but was pardoned at the end of the Civil War. He was the author of a work on Etruscan religious practices, which was an important source of information for Pliny the Elder and Seneca the Younger. * Caecina, a native of Volaterrae, and friend of Octavian. *

Aulus Caecina Severus Aulus Caecina Severus was a Roman politician and general who was consul in 1 BC. He was Emperor Augustus' representative in Moesia when the Great Illyrian Revolt broke out. As a result, he spent 4 years in heavy fighting against the Illyrian ...

legate Legate may refer to: *Legatus, a higher ranking general officer of the Roman army drawn from among the senatorial class :*Legatus Augusti pro praetore, a provincial governor in the Roman Imperial period *A member of a legation *A representative, ...

Germanicus Germanicus Julius Caesar (24 May 15 BC – 10 October AD 19) was an ancient Roman general, known for his campaigns in Germania. The son of Nero Claudius Drusus and Antonia the Younger, Germanicus was born into an influential branch of the Patric ...

, triumphed over the

Cherusci The Cherusci were a Germanic tribe that inhabited parts of the plains and forests of northwestern Germany in the area of the Weser River and present-day Hanover during the first centuries BC and AD. Roman sources reported they considered themsel ...

in AD 14. * Aulus Caecina Largus, consul ''suffectus'' in AD 13. * Aulus Caecina Paetus, consul ''suffectus'' in AD 37; put to death by the emperor

Claudius Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (; 1 August 10 BC – 13 October AD 54) was the fourth Roman emperor, ruling from AD 41 to 54. A member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, Claudius was born to Nero Claudius Drusus, Drusu ...

in AD 42. * Gaius Caecina Largus, consul in AD 42, inhabited the magnificent house which formerly belonged to Marcus Aemilius Scaurus, a contemporary of Cicero. * Publius Caecina Largus, a close friend of Claudius, and perhaps the brother of Gaius Caecina Largus. * Quintus Caecina Primus, consul ''suffectus'' in AD 53, probably in the middle of the year. *

Gaius Caecina Tuscus Gaius Caecina Tuscus (Greek ''Gaius Kokina'') was a 1st-century Roman politician and governor of Egypt during the reign of Nero, and is mentioned by Tacitus. Tuscus was a member of the Caecinia gens, Caecinae, an Etruscan family of Volaterrae, one ...

, governor of Egypt, was banished by the emperor Nero. *

Aulus Caecina Alienus Aulus Caecina Alienus ( 40 – 79) was a Roman general active during the Year of the Four Emperors. Biography Caecina was born in Vicetia (modern Vicenza) around 40 A.D. He was ''quaestor'' of Hispania Baetica (southern Iberia) in 68 A.D. On the d ...

, one of Vitellius' generals in AD 69. * Licinius Caecina, a

senator A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...

attached to Otho's party, in AD 69. *

Gaius Laecanius Bassus Caecina Paetus Gaius Laecanius Bassus Caecina Paetus was a Roman senator of the early Roman Empire, whose known career flourished under the reign of Vespasian. He was suffect consul in the '' nundinium'' of November to December AD 70 as the colleague of Lucius ...

, consul ''suffectus'' for the months of November and December in AD 70, and subsequently governor of Asia. * Gaius Caecina Largus, governor of Thracia AD 198. * Caecina Largus, ''

praefectus annonae The ("prefect of the provisions"), also called the ("prefect of the grain supply") was a Roman official charged with the supervision of the grain supply to the city of Rome. Under the Republic, the job was usually done by an aedile. However, in ...

'' AD 250. * Aulus Caecina Tacitus, governor of Hispania Baetica, and consul, possibly ordinary consul in 273. *

Antonius Caecina Sabinus Antonius is a masculine given name, as well as a surname. Antonius is a Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Latin, Norwegian, and Swedish name used in Greenland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, part of the Republic of Karelia, Estonia, Belgium, Netherland ...

, consul in AD 316. * Caecinia Lolliana, a priestess of Isis, and the wife of

Gaius Ceionius Rufius Volusianus Lampadius Gaius, sometimes spelled ''Gajus'', Kaius, Cajus, Caius, was a common Latin praenomen; see Gaius (praenomen). People * Gaius (jurist) (), Roman jurist *Gaius Acilius *Gaius Antonius *Gaius Antonius Hybrida *Gaius Asinius Gallus *Gaius Asinius P ...

. *

Publilius Ceionius Caecina Albinus The gens Publilia (), sometimes written Poblilia, was a plebeian family at ancient Rome. Members of this gens are first mentioned in the early decades of the Roman Republic, Republic. The ''lex Publilia (471 BC), lex Publilia'' passed by Volero ...

, presumably the son of Lampadius and Lolliana, was governor of

Numidia Numidia ( Berber: ''Inumiden''; 202–40 BC) was the ancient kingdom of the Numidians located in northwest Africa, initially comprising the territory that now makes up modern-day Algeria, but later expanding across what is today known as Tunis ...

between 364 and 367. *

Caecina Decius Albinus Caecina may refer to: * Caecinia gens, an ancient Roman family * ''Caecina'' (genus), a genus of assassin bugs * Cecina, Tuscany, Italy See also * Cecina (disambiguation) Cecina may refer to: * Cecina (meat), a Spanish and Mexican culinary spec ...

, son of Publilius, was of Rome in AD 402. *

Caecina Decius Aginatius Albinus Caecina Decius Aginatius (or Acinatius) Albinus (''floruit'' 414) was an aristocrat of the Roman Empire. He was ''praefectus urbi'' in 414, succeeding his friend Rutilius Namatianus, and possibly again in 426. Biography His father was probably C ...

, of Rome in AD 414. * Albinus, of Rome in AD 426, consul in 444, and praetorian prefect of Italy from 443 to 449. Possibly identical to Aginatius Albinus. * Caecina Decius Basilius, consul in 463 and twice praetorian prefect of Italy. *

Caecina Decius Maximus Basilius Caecina Decius Maximus Basilius ( 480–483), was a Roman politician. He was the first consul appointed under Odoacer's rule (480), and afterwards was Praetorian prefect of Italy.John Moorhead"The Decii under Theoderic" '' Historia: Zeitschrift ...

, consul in AD 480 and praetorian prefect of Italy in 483. *

Caecina Mavortius Basilius Decius Caecina Mavortius Basilius Decius ( 486–510) was a Roman politician under Odoacer's rule. He was consul and ''Praefectus urbi'' of Rome in 486 and Praetorian prefect of Italy from 486 to 493. Life Decius was the son of Caecina Decius Basiliu ...

, consul in AD 486., . *

Caecina Decius Faustus Albinus Caecina Decius Faustus Albinus ( 490–525) was a Roman politician during the reign of Theodoric the Great. He held the consulship with Eusebius in 493. Albinus is best known for being identified with the senator whom Boethius defended from accu ...

, son of Maximus Basilius, was consul in 493 and praetorian prefect of Italy around 500.

References

Bibliography

* Marcus Tullius Cicero, '' Epistulae ad Atticum'', '' Epistulae ad Familiares'', ''

Pro Caecina The ''Pro Caecina'' is a public speech made by Marcus Tullius Cicero on behalf of his friend Aulus Caecina sometime between 71 BC and 69 BC. The speech was delivered in the third hearing of a lawsuit where Caecina averred that he had been unlawfu ...

''. * Aulus Hirtius (attributed), ''

De Bello Africo ''De Bello Africo'' (also ''Bellum Africum''; ''On the African War'') is a Latin work continuing Julius Caesar's accounts of his campaigns, ''De Bello Gallico'' and '' De Bello Civili'', and its sequel by an unknown author ''De Bello Alexandrin ...

'' (On the African War). * Marcus Velleius Paterculus, ''Compendium of Roman History''. *

Quintus Asconius Pedianus Quintus Asconius Pedianus (BC 9 - AD 76) was a Roman historian. There is no evidence that Asconius engaged in a public career, but he was familiar both with Roman government of his time and with the geography of the city. He may, therefore, have w ...

, ''Commentarius in Oratio Ciceronis Pro Scauro'' (Commentary on Cicero's Oration ''Pro Scauro''). * Lucius Annaeus Seneca ( Seneca the Younger), '' Naturales Quaestiones'' (Natural Questions). * Gaius Plinius Secundus ( Pliny the Elder), '' Historia Naturalis'' (Natural History). * Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus (

Pliny the Younger Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, born Gaius Caecilius or Gaius Caecilius Cilo (61 – c. 113), better known as Pliny the Younger (), was a lawyer, author, and magistrate of Ancient Rome. Pliny's uncle, Pliny the Elder, helped raise and educate ...

), '' Epistulae'' (Letters). * Flavius Josephus, '' Bellum Judaïcum'' (The Jewish War). *

Marcus Valerius Martialis Marcus Valerius Martialis (known in English as Martial ; March, between 38 and 41 AD – between 102 and 104 AD) was a Roman poet from Hispania (modern Spain) best known for his twelve books of ''Epigrams'', published in Rome between AD 86 and ...

(

Martial Marcus Valerius Martialis (known in English as Martial ; March, between 38 and 41 AD – between 102 and 104 AD) was a Roman poet from Hispania (modern Spain) best known for his twelve books of ''Epigrams'', published in Rome between AD 86 and ...

), ''Epigrammata'' (Epigrams). * Publius Cornelius Tacitus, '' Annales'', '' Historiae''. *

Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus (), commonly referred to as Suetonius ( ; c. AD 69 – after AD 122), was a Roman historian who wrote during the early Imperial era of the Roman Empire. His most important surviving work is a set of biographies ...

, ''

De Vita Caesarum ''De vita Caesarum'' (Latin; "About the Life of the Caesars"), commonly known as ''The Twelve Caesars'', is a set of twelve biographies of Julius Caesar and the first 11 emperors of the Roman Empire written by Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus. The g ...

'' (Lives of the Caesars, or The Twelve Caesars). * Appianus Alexandrinus ( Appian), ''Bellum Civile'' (The Civil War). * Cassius Dio, ''Roman History''. * Sextus Aurelius Victor (attributed), ''

Epitome de Caesaribus The ''Epitome de Caesaribus'' is a Latin historical work written at the end of the 4th century. It is a brief account of the reigns of the Roman emperors from Augustus to Theodosius the Great. It is attributed to Aurelius Victor, but was written ...

''. *

Joannes Zonaras Joannes or John Zonaras ( grc-gre, Ἰωάννης Ζωναρᾶς ; 1070 – 1140) was a Byzantine Greek historian, chronicler and theologian who lived in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey). Under Emperor Alexios I Komnenos he held th ...

, ''Epitome Historiarum'' (Epitome of History). * '' Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology'', William Smith, ed., Little, Brown and Company, Boston (1849). * Theodor Mommsen ''et alii'', ''

Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum The ''Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum'' (''CIL'') is a comprehensive collection of ancient Latin inscriptions. It forms an authoritative source for documenting the surviving epigraphy of classical antiquity. Public and personal inscriptions throw ...

'' (The Body of Latin Inscriptions, abbreviated ''CIL''), Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften (1853–present). * René Cagnat ''et alii'', '' L'Année épigraphique'' (The Year in Epigraphy, abbreviated ''AE''), Presses Universitaires de France (1888–present). * George Davis Chase, "The Origin of Roman Praenomina", in ''Harvard Studies in Classical Philology'', vol. VIII, pp. 103–184 (1897). * Arthur E. and Joyce S. Gordon, "Roman Names and the Consuls of A. D. 13", in ''American Journal of Philology'', vol. 72
pp. 283–292
(1951). * A. H. M. Jones & J. R. Martindale, '' The Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire'' (abbreviated ''PLRE''), Cambridge University Press (1971–1992). * Paul A. Gallivan, "The ''Fasti'' for the Reign of Claudius", in ''

Classical Quarterly The Classical Association is a British learned society in the field of classics, aimed at developing classical study and promoting its importance in education. Constitution The association was founded on 19 December 1903, and its objects are de ...

'', vol. 28, pp. 407–426 (1978); "The ''Fasti'' for A.D. 70–96", in ''

'', vol. 31, pp. 186–220 (1981). * Werner Eck, "Jahres- und Provinzialfasten der senatorischen Statthalter von 69/70 bis 138/139" (Annual and Provincial Fasti of the Senatorial Governors from AD 69/70 to 138/139), in ''Chiron'', vol. 12 (1982). * Paul M. M. Leunissen, ''Konsuln und Konsulare in der Zeit von Commodus bis Severus Alexander'' (Consuls and Consulars from the Time of Commodus to Severus Alexander), Verlag Gieben, Amsterdam, (1989). * Olli Salomies, ''Adoptive and Polyonymous Nomenclature in the Roman Empire'', Societas Scientiarum Fenica, Helsinki (1992). * {{refend Etruscan families Roman gentes