The gens Licinia was a celebrated plebeian family at ancient Rome, which appears from the earliest days of the Republic until imperial times, and which eventually obtained the imperial dignity. The first of the gens to obtain the consulship was Gaius Licinius Calvus Stolo, who, as tribune of the plebs from 376 to 367 BC, prevented the election of any of the annual magistrates, until the patricians acquiesced to the passage of the lex Licinia Sextia, or Licinian Rogations. This law, named for Licinius and his colleague, Lucius Sextius, opened the consulship for the first time to the plebeians. Licinius himself was subsequently elected consul in 364 and 361 BC, and from this time, the Licinii became one of the most illustrious gentes in the Republic.[2][3]
The nomenLicinius is derived from the cognomenLicinus, or "upturned", found in a number of Roman gentes.[4]Licinus may have been an ancient praenomen, but few examples of its use as such are known. The name seems to be identical with the EtruscanLecne, which frequently occurs on Etruscan sepulchral monuments.[5] Some scholars have seen evidence of an Etruscan origin for the Licinii in the tradition that Etruscan players were first brought to Rome to take part in the theatrical performances (ludi scaenici) in the consulship of Gaius Licinius Calvus, BC 364. This could, however, be coincidental, as Livy explains that the games were instituted this year in order to palliate the anger of the gods.[6] In fact, the name of Licinius appears to have been spread throughout both Latium and Etruria from a very early time, so the fact that it had an Etruscan equivalent does not definitely show that the gens was of Etruscan derivation.[3]
The chief praenomina used by the Licinii were Publius, Gaius, Lucius, and Marcus, all of which were very common throughout Roman history. The family occasionally used Sextus, and there is at least one instance of Gnaeus during the first century BC. Aulus was used by the Licinii Nervae. As in other Roman families, the women of the Licinii generally did not have formal praenomina, but were referred to simply as Licinia; if further distinction were needed, they would be described using various personal or family cognomina.
The family-names of the Licinii are Calvus (with the agnominaEsquilinus and Stolo), Crassus (with the agnomen Dives), Geta, Lucullus, Macer, Murena, Nerva, Sacerdos, and Varus. The other cognomina of the gens are personal surnames, rather than family-names; these include Archias, Caecina, Damasippus, Imbrex, Lartius, Lenticula, Nepos, Proculus, Regulus, Rufinus, Squillus, and Tegula. The only cognomina which occur on coins are Crassus, Macer, Murena, Nerva, and Stolo. A few Licinii are known without a surname; most of these in later times were freedmen.[3]
The surname Calvus was originally given to a person who was bald,[7] and it was the cognomen of the earliest family of the Licinii to distinguish itself under the Republic. The first of this family bore the agnomen Esquilinus, probably because he lived on the Esquiline Hill.[8]Stolo, a surname given to the most famous of the family, may be derived from the stola, a long outer garment or cloak, or might also refer to a branch, or sucker.[9][10] Although the family of the Licinii Calvi afterward vanished into obscurity, the surname Calvus was later borne by the celebrated orator and poet Gaius Licinius Macer, who lived in the first century BC. His cognomen Macer, designated someone who was lean.[7][11][12]
Another family of the Licinii bore the cognomen Varus, which means "crooked, bent," or "knock-kneed."[4] The Licinii Vari were already distinguished, when their surname was replaced by that of Crassus. This was a common surname, which could mean "dull, thick," or "solid," and may have been adopted because of the contrast between this meaning and that of Varus.[7][12]
The surname Dives, meaning "rich" or "wealthy," was borne by some of the Licinii Crassi.[13] It was most famous as the surname of Marcus Licinius Crassus, the triumvir, and has been ascribed to his father and brothers, but it is not altogether certain whether it originated with his father, or with the triumvir, in which case it was retroactively applied to the previous generation.[14][15][16]
Lucullus, the cognomen of a branch of the Licinii, which first occurs in history towards the end of the Second Punic War, is probably derived from lucus, a grove, or perhaps a diminutive of the praenomenLucius. The surname does not appear on any coins of the gens.[17][18]
A family of the Licinii bore the surname Murena (sometimes, but erroneously, written Muraena), referring to the sea-fish known as the murry or lamprey, a prized delicacy since ancient times. This family came from the city of Lanuvium, to the southeast of Rome, and was said to have acquired its name because one of its members had a great liking for lampreys, and built tanks for them. The same surname occurring in other families might be said to be derived from the type of shellfish known as murex, from which a valuable dye was extracted.[17][19][20][21][22]
Of the other surnames of the Licinii might be mentioned Nerva, the surname of a family of the Licinii that flourished from the time of the Second Punic War until the early Empire, derived from nervus, "sinewy";[7]Geta, perhaps the name of a Thracian people, to whom one of the Licinii might have been compared;[23] and Sacerdos, a priest, one of a number of cognomina derived from occupations.[24][25]
Publius Licinius, one of the first tribuni plebis in 493 BC. According to Dionysius he was elected by the people, although according to Livy he was one of three chosen by his colleagues.[26][27]
Spurius Licinius, according to Livius tribunus plebis in 481 BC, although Dionysius gives his nomen as Icilius. Dionysius may be correct, as the praenomen Spurius was not used by any other members of the gens Licinia.[28][29]
Publius Licinius P. f. Calvus, father of the elder Esquilinus.
Publius Licinius P. f. P. n. Calvus Esquilinus, tribunus militum consulari potestate in 400 BC; according to Livius, one of the first plebeians elected to this office, although some of the consular tribunes in 444 and 422 may also have been plebeians.[30][31][32]
Publius Licinius P. f. P. n. Calvus Esquilinus, tribunus militum consulari potestate in 396 BC, substituted for his father, who had been elected for the second time, but declined the office on account of his advanced age.[33][34][35][36]
Gaius Licinius P. f. P. n. Calvus, the father of Stolo, was probably a brother of the younger Esquilinus.
Gaius Licinius P. f. P. n. Calvus, the first plebeian appointed magister equitum in 368 BC; he had previously served as consular tribune, but the year is uncertain. He was probably consul in either 364 or 361, but he has been confused with his contemporary, Gaius Licinius Calvus Stolo.[37][38][39][i][ii]
Licinius Calvus (Stolo), the son of Gaius Licinius Stolo, with whom he held a thousand Iugera of land, causing his father to be prosecuted for breaking his own regulations regarding land ownership.[41]
Publius Licinius (C. f. P. n.) Varus, praetor urbanus in 208 BC; he was instructed to refit thirty old ships and find crews for twenty others, in order to protect the coast near Rome.[44]
Gaius Licinius P. f. (C. n.) Varus, father of Publius and Gaius Licinius Crassus, consuls in 171 and 168 BC.
Gaius Licinius (C. f. C. n.) Crassus, tribunus plebis in 145 BC, proposed a bill to fill vacant priesthoods by popular election; it was defeated following a speech by the praetor, Gaius Laelius Sapiens.[47][48]
Gaius Licinius (C. f. C. n.) Crassus, probably son of the tribune of 145 BC.[49]
Licinia L. f. L. n., daughter of the consul of 95 BC, married the younger Gaius Marius, consul in 82 BC.
Lucius Licinius Crassus Scipio, grandson of the consul of 95 BC, was the son of Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica and Licinia, and was adopted by his grandfather, who had no sons of his own. His brother was Quintus Caecilius Metellus Scipio.[52][53]
Publius Licinius P. f. M. n. Crassus, brother of the triumvir, he died shortly before or during the Social War.
Lucius (?) Licinius P. f. M. n. Crassus, a brother of the triumvir who died in the massacre of 87 BC.[54][55][56][57]
Publius Licinius Crassus Dives, as praetor in 57 BC, favoured Cicero's return from exile. He squandered his fortune, which turned his surname, Dives, into a source of mockery.[58][59][60][61]
Denarius minted in 47–46 BC at Utica. The reverse alludes to the propraetorian imperium of P. Crassus Junianus (P CRASSVS IV[N]).
Licinius P. f. P. n. Crassus Damasippus, a contemporary of Cicero, who wrote of his intention to purchase a garden from him in 45 BC. He was a dealer in statuary, and went bankrupt, but was prevented from doing away with himself by the Stoic Stertinius. He was undoubtedly a son of the tribune in 53 BC.[68][69][70]
Lucius Licinius (P. f. P. n.) Crassus Damasippus, mentioned in a late Republican inscription from Rome, was probably either the statuary, or his brother, since the elder Damasippus had at least two children, who were pardoned by Caesar after their father's death, and allowed to inherit his property.[71][72]
Licinius M. f. Crassus (Frugi?), son of Marcus Licinius Crassus Frugi with Scribonia, he changed his name after his mother's ancestor Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus. Husband of Claudius' daughter, Claudia Antonia, Pompeius was later murdered in 41.[79]
Lucius Licinius Lucullus, curule aedile in 202 BC, he and his colleague distinguished themselves by the magnificence with which they exhibited the Ludi Romani, but were suspected of having allowed their subordinates to defraud the public treasury.[80]
Gaius Licinius Lucullus, tribune of the plebs in 196 BC, he proposed the establishment of the tresviri epulones, and was one of the first three persons appointed to the new office.[81]
Marcus Licinius Lucullus, praetor peregrinus in 186 BC, he and his colleagues were compelled to suspend all judicial proceedings for thirty days, in consequence of the alarm caused by the discovery of the cult of Bacchus at Rome.[82]
Publius Licinius Lucullus, tribune of the plebs in 110 BC, attempted, together with his colleague, Lucius Annius, to procure their joint re-election, but this was opposed by the other tribunes, and the election of all of the annual magistrates was postponed.[83]
Lucius Licinius L. f. (L. n.) Lucullus, praetor in 104 BC, appointed by the senate to the command in Sicily during the Second Servile War; victorious in the field, he was unable to capture the stronghold of the slaves, and surrendered his command, but not before destroying his camp and supplies out of spite.
Lucius Licinius L. f. L. n. Lucullus, consul in 74 BC, the conqueror of Mithridates, over whom he triumphed in 63. He was famous for his wealth and his luxurious lifestyle, gardens, and villa.
Lucius Licinius Lucullus, praetor in 67 BC, a man famous for his moderation and mildness of disposition; Dionysius records a colorful anecdote about his restraint in the face of insult.[84]
Gaius Licinius C. f. Nerva, perhaps son of the praetor of 167; one of the legates who reported the conquest of Illyricum in 168; the following year he was one of the commissioners to return the Thracian hostages.[91]
Gaius Licinius Nerva, described by Cicero as a bad but eloquent man, in contrast with Lucius Calpurnius Bestia, tribunus plebis in 62 BC and one of Catiline's conspirators.[95]
Aulus Licinius Nerva Silianus, consul in AD 7, was the son of Publius Silius, consul in 20 BC, but was adopted into the family of the Licinii Nervae.[97][98]
Aulus Licinius A. n. Nerva Silianus, grandson of the Silianus who was consul in AD 7, was consul under Nero in AD 65.
Gaius Licinius Sacerdos, an eques, who appeared before Scipio Aemilianus, during his censorship in 142 BC. Scipio accused him of perjury, but as no witnesses came forward, Licinius was dismissed.[99][100]
Gaius Licinius C. f. Sacerdos, praetor urbanus in 75 BC; in the following year he had the government of Sicily, in which he was succeeded by Verres. Cicero contrasts his upright administration with the corruption of his successor.[101][102][103]
Lucius Licinius L. f. Murena, praetor before 101 BC. He was a contemporary of the orator Lucius Licinius Crassus, who was consul in 95 BC.[104][22][106]
Publius Licinius L. f. L. n. Murena, described by Cicero as a man of moderate talent, and some literary knowledge, who devoted much attention to the study of antiquity. He died in the civil war between Sulla and the younger Marius, about 82 BC.[107]
Gaius Licinius L. f. L. n. Murena, legate of his brother, the consul of 62, in Gallia Cisalpina; he captured some of Catiline's allies. He was also aedile circa 59.[113][114]
Licinius (L. f. L. n.) Murena, probably the son of the consul of 62, he was adopted by Aulus Terentius Varro, and assumed the name Aulus Terentius Varro Murena. He was consul suffectus in 23 BC, but the following year conspired with Fannius Caepio and was put to death.[115][116][117]
Gaius Licinius Macer, praetor in 68 BC, he was impeached for extortion by Cicero in 66, he took his own life to avoid the disgrace of a public condemnation. He was probably the annalist Licinius Macer, frequently mentioned by Livius and other historians.
Licinius, an educated slave belonging to Gaius Gracchus, who, according to a well-known story, used to stand behind his master with a musical instrument, in order to moderate Gracchus' tone when he was speaking. He afterward became a client of Quintus Lutatius Catulus.[121][122][123]
Gaius Licinius P. f. Geta, consul in 116 BC, was expelled from the senate with thirty-one others by the censors of 115; he was subsequently restored to his rank, and himself held the office of censor in 108.[124][125][126]
Sextus Licinius, a senator, whom Gaius Marius ordered to be hurled from the Tarpeian Rock, on the day that he entered upon his seventh consulship, the first of January, 86 BC.[127][128][129]
Gaius Licinius C. f., a senator in 73 BC, had been praetor in an uncertain year. He was probably not related to the Gaius Licinius who was a senator in 129, since he belonged to the tribus Pomptina, while the senator of 129 was from Terentina.[101][130]
Licinius Caecina, a senator attached to the party of Otho in AD 69; he may be the same as the Licinius Caecina of praetorian rank mentioned by the elder Pliny.[139][140]
^The Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology lists this Licinius as consular tribune in 377 or 378 B.C. based on Livy, vi. 31. 377 appears to be an error in the text, as 378 appears in the chronology in the appendix. This identification may have been based on Livius' identification of Licinius Menenius as the tribune of that year. Menenius, whose name is given variously as LicinusorLucius, is elsewhere accepted as by the same source as consular tribune in 378; thus the year that Licinius Calvus was consular tribune remains uncertain.[10]
^Both the Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology and Broughton, following Livy, agree that Plutarch and Cassius Dio are mistaken in identifying this Gaius Licinius Calvus with Gaius Licinius Calvus Stolo, tribune of the plebs in the same year.[10][37]
^The Fasti Capitolini state that Calvus was consul in 364, and Stolo in 361; but Livy, Valerius Maximus, and Plutarch all state that Stolo was consul in 364, and Calvus in 361. The Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology supposes that Stolo was consul in both years. Both Calvus and Stolo had good claims to the consulship, the first having served as magister equitum in 368, the other having brought forward the law permitting the election of plebeian consuls.[10][40]
^The "Publius Crassus Junianus", "Licinius Damasippus" and "Crassus" who are described by different sources in similar roles in Africa during the Civil War are held to be the same person.[62][63][64][65] He was a son of Lucius Junius Brutus Damasippus, whose praenomen he probably shared, until his adoption by Publius Licinius Crassus Dives, the praetor of 57 BC.[66]
^Witschel, Christian; "INSCHRIFTEN UND INSCHRIFTENKULTUR DER KONSTANTINISCHEN ZEIT IN AQUILEIA": 2012-2013. page 48. "Wahrend einzelne Personlichkeiten aus der munizipalen Oberschicht wahrend dieser Epoche gar nicht mehr als Stifter von Kaiserstatuen bezeugt sind, behielt die Stadtgemeinde (vertreten durch den orda) ihre traditionelle Bedeutung als Initiatorin fiir solche Ehrungen des Kaisers bei, wenn auch mit abnehmender Tendenz. Daneben traten nun zunehmend einzelne Mitglieder der Reichs- und Provinzialverwaltung sowie eben ho no rati, die sich fiir eine kiirzere oder langere Zeit in der jeweiligen Stadt aufhielten. Das ist besonders deutlich in Aquileia zu sehen, wo die letzte Basis fiir eine Kaiserstatue, die mit Sicherheit von der Stadtgemeinde aufgestellt wurde, aus der Zeit des Philippus Arabs stammt (CIL V 8971 = SI 149 = ALFbLDY 1984, 94 Nr. 73 = InscrAq. 445; errichtet von den Aquileienses; Dat.: 244-246), wahrend bereits unter Gallienus ein ansonsten unbekannter vir egregius namens Licinius Diocletianus zwei Standbilder dieses Herrschers und seiner Frau Cornelia Salonina in Auftrag gab ( CIL V 856/57 = ILS 547 = ALFOLDY 1984, 94f. Nr. 74/75 = Inscr.Aq. 446/47). Die zwei Basen fiir Statuen des Diocletianus (und Maximianus), die wir aus Aquileia bzw. aus dem Territorium der Stadt kennen, wurden sodann von hochrangigen Vertretem der staatlichen Administration errichtet, namlich von einem corrector Italiae (CIL V 8205 =SI 1109 = Inscrit X 4, 330; sekundar vermauert im Schloss von Duino; Dat.: 286) 152 sowie von einem rationalis ( CIL V 858 = ALFbLDY 1984, 95 Nr. 76 = Inscr.Aq. 462; Dat.: 288?)"
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