Sertoria (gens)

The gens Sertoria was a Roman family, probably of Sabine origin. It was relatively undistinguished, except for the Roman general Quintus Sertorius (123-72 BC), who fought alongside Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Cinna, and later established an independent state in Hispania during the dictatorship of Lucius Cornelius Sulla.[1][2]

Sertorius was born at Nursia, where his family had lived for several generations. The name of the gens is a patronymic surname, based on the praenomen Sertor, which was considered archaic at Rome by the 1st century BC It may have meant, one who protects or preserves. Although Quintus was a very common name, the Sertorii were accustomed to choosing rare and archaic praenomina, such as Proculus.[3][4][5]

Sertorius was murdered by Marcus Perperna, leaving no issue. Afterward, the Sertorii once again faded into obscurity.[6][7]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Dictionary of Greek & Roman Biography & Mythology
  2. ↑ Realencyclopädie der Classischen Altertumswissenschaft.
  3. ↑ Marcus Terentius Varro, quoted in De Praenominibus (epitome by Julius Paris)
  4. ↑ George Davis Chase, "The Origin of Roman Praenomina", in Harvard Studies in Classical Philology, vol. VIII (1897).
  5. ↑ Realencyclopädie der Classischen Altertumswissenschaft.
  6. ↑ Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, William Smith, Editor.
  7. ↑ Realencyclopädie der Classischen Altertumswissenschaft


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