Proculeia gens


The gens Proculeia was a minor plebeian family at ancient Rome. Members of this gens are first mentioned at the end of the Republic. Gaius Proculeius was one of the most trusted friends and advisers of Octavian, and one of those whom he considered a possible heir. None of the Proculei ever obtained the consulship, but a number are known from inscriptions.

Origin

The nomen Proculeius, belongs to a common class of gentilicia ending in the diminutive suffix '-eius', often although not exclusively formed from other names ending in '-a' or '-as'. In this case, the name is a patronymic surname derived from the old praenomen Proculus, which Festus reported was originally given to a child born when his father was far from home, although the name has the appearance of a diminutive of some other word or name, such as procus, a suitor, or perhaps more likely procer, a prince. Proca, sometimes given as Procas, another possibility, was the name of one of the legendary Kings of Alba Longa, Rome's mother city in story and song, and may be the root form of the name, perhaps with the same meaning as procer. In later times, Proculus was widely used as a surname, with which Proculeius is easily confused.

Praenomina

The chief praenomina associated with the Proculeii are Gaius, Lucius, Publius, and Quintus. Other names are occasionally found, including Marcus, Sextus, and Aulus. All of these were common names throughout Roman history.

Members