The gens Antia was a minor plebeian family at ancient Rome. The Antii emerged at the end of the second century BC, and were of little importance during the Republic, but they continued into the third century, obtaining the consulship in AD 94 and 105.[1][2][3]

Denarius of Gaius Antius Restio, 47 BC. The heads of the Dei Penates are pictured on the obverse, while Hercules features on the reverse. Both allude to the origins of the gens.

Origin

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The Antii were possibly from Lanuvium, as one member of the gens minted coins with the heads of the Penates, who were first worshipped in that city. The Antii also claimed descent from Hercules through his son Antiades.[4]

Cicero and Livy tell that a Spurius Antius was one of four Roman ambassadors put to death by Lars Tolumnius, the king of Veii, in 438 BC.[2] However, modern scholars prefer to amend the name to Nautius, borne by several magistrates in the 5th century.[5][6]

Praenomina

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The Antii used the praenomina Spurius, Marcus, and Gaius.

Branches and cognomina

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The cognomina of the Antii under the Republic were Briso and Restio.[1] In imperial times we find Quadratus and Crescens.

Members

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This list includes abbreviated praenomina. For an explanation of this practice, see filiation.
 
Denarius of Gaius Antius Restio, 47 BC, featuring on the obverse a portrait of his father, tribune of the plebs in 68 BC, and Hercules on the reverse.

Antii Restiones

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Other Antii

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, vol. I, p. 184 ("Antia Gens").
  2. ^ a b c Livy, iv. 17.
  3. ^ Cicero, Philippicae, ix. 2.
  4. ^ Crawford, Roman Republican Coinage, pp. 470, 471.
  5. ^ a b Broughton, Magistrates, vol. I, p. 58 (note 2).
  6. ^ a b Ogilvie, Commentary on Livy, p. 559.
  7. ^ Aulus Gellius, Noctes Atticae, ii. 24.
  8. ^ Macrobius, Saturnalia, ii. 13.
  9. ^ Broughton, Magistrates, vol. II, pp. 138, 141 (note 8).
  10. ^ Syme, "Ten Tribunes", p. 59.
  11. ^ Valerius Maximus, vi. 8. § 7.
  12. ^ Appian, Bellum Civile, iv. 43,
  13. ^ Macrobius, Saturnalia, i. 11.
  14. ^ Tacitus, Annales, ii. 6.
  15. ^ Le Teuff, "Les recensements augustéens", p. 78.
  16. ^ Cicero, Brutus, 25.
  17. ^ Broughton, Magistrates, vol. I, p. 485.

Bibliography

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