The gens Bellicia was an aristocratic
plebeian family at
ancient Rome, which flourished during the first and second centuries. The Bellicii rose to prominence from
Gallia Narbonensis, attaining
senatorial status with Gaius Bellicius Natalis, who was appointed
consulsuffectus in AD 68.
Origin
The nomen Bellicius, spelt Vellicius in several inscriptions of Lucius Bellicius Sollers,[1] belongs to a class of gentilicia formed from
cognomina ending in -icus.[2] The root, Bellicus, means "fierce" or "warlike",[3] being one of an abundant type of surname originally derived from the character of the bearer.[4]
Branches and cognomina
The earliest Bellicii appearing in history bore the cognomen Natalis, a
Latin adjective referring to the circumstances of one's birth or nativity,[5] although the circumstance through which this became their surname is unknown. Sollers, belonging to a soldier of the early second century, denoted someone thought particularly skilled or clever.[6] The names of subsequent generations of this family probably indicate their descent from other distinguished families of the era, as well as several illustrious families of the
Republic. Of particular note are Flaccus, a common surname originally bestowed on someone with large or floppy ears,[7] borne by prominent branches of the
Fulvii and
Valerii, and Torquatus, famous from the
Manlia gens, who acquired it as the result of a legendary combat between
Titus Manlius Imperiosus and a giant
Gaul, whose
torque Manlius claimed as a token of his victory.[8] The surname was borne for centuries by the Manlii, and later by a branch of the
Junii who were descended from them.
Members
This list includes abbreviated
praenomina. For an explanation of this practice, see
filiation.
Gaius Bellicius Natalis, consul suffectus in AD 68.[9][10]
Gaius Bellicius C. f. Natalis Gavidius Tebanianus, son of Gaius Bellicius Natalis, the consul of 68, was consul suffectus in AD 87, serving from the Kalends of May to the Kalends of September.[11][12]