Visellia (gens)

The gens Visellia was a family at Rome during the late Republic and early Empire. Two members of this gens achieved the consulship during the 1st century AD^[1]

Praenomina used by the gens

The only praenomina known to have been used by the Visellii are Gaius and Lucius.^[1]

Branches and cognomina of the gens

The surnames associated with the Visellii are Varro and Aculeo. The former was a hereditary cognomen of the family, while the latter appears to have been a personal surname. It was probably derived from the adjective aculeus, meaning "sharp, pointy, prickly," or "thorny," and may have been a commentary on the acuteness of its bearer's mind.^[1]

Members of the gens

• Gaius Visellius Varro Aculeo, an eques, learned in the law. He married Cicero's aunt, Helvia.^[2]
• Gaius Visellius C. f. Varro, tribunus militum in Asia circa 79 BC.
• Gaius Visellius C. f. C. n. Varro, consul suffectus in AD 12.^[3]
• Lucius Visellius C. f. C. n. Varro, consul in AD 24.^[4]

See also

List of Roman gentes

References

1. Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, William Smith, Editor
2. Marcus Tullius Cicero, De Oratore i. 43, ii. 1, 65, Brutus 76.
3. Publius Cornelius Tacitus, Annales iii. 41.
4. Publius Cornelius Tacitus, Annales iv. 17, 19.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "^{article name needed}". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.