Helvidia gens

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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]

Contents

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

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Cicero, Pro Cluentio, 70.
  2. 1 2 3 Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, vol. II, p. 380 ("Helvidia Gens").
  3. Tacitus, Annales, xii. 49.
  4. Juvenal, v. 36.
  5. Plutarch, "The Life of Galba", 28.
  6. Tacitus, Historiae, ii. 91, iv. 5–9, 43, 44, 53; Annales, xiii. 28, xvi. 28, 33, 35; Agricola 2; Dialogus de Oratoribus, 5.
  7. Epictetus, Discourses i. 2.
  8. Cassius Dio, lxv. 7, lxvi. 12, lxvii. 13.
  9. Suetonius, "The Life of Vespasian", 15.
  10. Pliny the Younger, vii. 19.
  11. Tacitus, "The Life of Agricola", 45.
  12. Pliny the Younger, iv. 21, ix. 13.
  13. Suetonius, "The Life of Domitian", 10.

Bibliography