Publilia gens


The gens Publilia, sometimes written Poblilia, was a plebeian family at ancient Rome. Members of this gens are first mentioned in the early decades of the Republic. The lex Publilia passed by Volero Publilius, tribune of the plebs in 471 BC, was an important milestone in the struggle between the patrician and plebeian orders. Although the Publilii appear throughout the history of the Republic, the family faded into obscurity around the time of the Samnite Wars, and never again achieved positions of prominence in the Roman state.

Origin

The nomen Publilius is a patronymic surname based on the Latin praenomen Publius, with which it is frequently confused.

Praenomina

The praenomina used by the Publilii included Volero, Lucius, Quintus, Gaius, and Titus. All were very common throughout Roman history, except for Volero; the Publilii were the only important family to make use of that name.

Branches and cognomina

The only distinct family of the Publilii under the Republic bore the cognomen Philo, from the Greek "to love". One member of this family bore the additional surname Volscus, a Volscian, presumably for some deed involving the Volsci.

Members

Publilii Philones