The gens Pontiliena was an obscure plebeian family at ancient Rome. No members of this gens appear in history, but a few are mentioned in inscriptions.

Origin edit

The nomen Pontilienus appears to be formed from Pontilius, another nomen gentilicium. The philologist George Davis Chase describes a class of such nomina, ending in -enus and nearly always derived from other gentile names, rather than places.[1] The root of the name appears to be the Oscan praenomen Pompo or Pomptus, a cognate of the Latin praenomen Quintus. Thus, Pontilienus and similar nomina, such as Pompilius and Pomponia are the Oscan equivalents of Latin names such as Quinctius and Quinctilius.[2]

Members edit

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

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Chase, p. 118.
  2. ^ Chase, pp. 127–128.
  3. ^ AE 1930, 38.
  4. ^ a b AE 1992, 862a, AE 1992, 862b, AE 1992, 863a, AE 1992, 863b.
  5. ^ EE, ix. 428, 2.
  6. ^ AE 1992, 863d.

Bibliography edit

  • Wilhelm Henzen, Ephemeris Epigraphica: Corporis Inscriptionum Latinarum Supplementum (Journal of Inscriptions: Supplement to the Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum, abbreviated EE), Institute of Roman Archaeology, Rome (1872–1913).
  • René Cagnat et alii, L'Année épigraphique (The Year in Epigraphy, abbreviated AE), Presses Universitaires de France (1888–present).