Ancharia (gens)


The gens Ancharia was a plebeian family at Rome. The first of the gens to achieve prominence was Quintus Ancharius, a senator early in the first century BC.

Origin

The origin of the Ancharii is uncertain, but the nomen Ancharius may be derived from Ancharia, a name of the goddess Angerona, by which she was known at Faesulae. The ancestor of the Ancharii may have been particularly devoted to the worship of Angerona. As Faesulae was an Etruscan city, the family may have been of Etruscan origin.

Praenomina

The praenomina associated with the Ancharii are Quintus and Publius.

Branches and ''cognomina''

The cognomina used by the Ancharii included Priscus, a common surname meaning "elder" or "old-fashioned", and Soter, a "savior" or "protector." The latter surname was borne by a freedwoman, and was not necessarily used by other members of the gens.

Members