The gens Rabuleia was a minor plebeian family at ancient Rome. Members of this gens are first mentioned in the early decades of the Republic, and Manius Rabuleius was a member of the second decemvirate in 450 BC. However, the Rabuleii subsequently fell into obscurity, and only a few of this family are known from later inscriptions.[1]

Origin

The nomen Rabuleius belongs to a large class of gentilicia formed with the suffix -eius, which was often, but not exclusively of Oscan origin.[2] According to Dionysius, the decemvir Manius Rabuleius was a patrician, although earlier Dionysius mentions a Rabuleius who was tribune of the plebs.[3] However, Broughton points out that all of the other Rabuleii known were plebeians, and that precisely half of the decemvirs in 450 are either described as plebeians, or bore plebeian names, including Rabuleius.[4] This view appears to have prevailed in modern scholarship, and it seems reasonably certain that the Rabuleii were plebeians.[5]

Branches and cognomina

Neither of the Rabuleii mentioned in the early Republic bore a cognomen, but one of those known from inscriptions was surnamed Rufus, red, indicating that he or one of his ancestors probably had red hair.[6] A freedman of the gens bore the cognomen Celer, swift.[7]

Members

This list includes abbreviated praenomina. For an explanation of this practice, see filiation.

See also

References

  1. ^ Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, vol. III, p. 640 ("Rabuleius").
  2. ^ Chase, pp. 120, 121.
  3. ^ Dionysius, viii. 72, x. 58.
  4. ^ a b Broughton, vol. I, pp. 46, 47 (and note 1).
  5. ^ Cornell, The Beginnings of Rome, pp. 272, 452 (note 2).
  6. ^ Chase, p. 110.
  7. ^ Chase, p. 111.
  8. ^ Dionysius, viii. 72.
  9. ^ Broughton, vol. I, p. 21.
  10. ^ Livy, iii. 35, 41, 42.
  11. ^ Dionysius, x. 58, xi. 23.
  12. ^ CIL VI, 3830.
  13. ^ CIL VI, 25346.
  14. ^ CIL VI, 25347.
  15. ^ CIL VI, 2375.
  16. ^ CIL VI, 7149.

Bibliography

Category