The
nomenCicereius is probably derived from the same root as the
cognomenCicero, a surname of the gentesClaudia and Tullia. They appear to be connected with cicer, a
chickpea, and may indicate that the ancestors of these families were engaged in the cultivation of that plant. Similar names include Bulbus,
Fabius, Lentulus, Piso, and Tubero.[2][3] Nomina ending in -eius were particularly common among families of
Oscan origin, and could indicate that the Cicereii claimed descent from the
Sabines or another Oscan-speaking people. Several of the Cicerei known from epigraphy were from
Campania and
Samnium.[4]
Praenomina
The only
praenomina associated with the Cicereii are Publius, Gaius, and Lucius, three of the most common names throughout all periods of Roman history.
Members
This list includes abbreviated
praenomina. For an explanation of this practice, see
filiation.
Cicereia Orestis, named in a dedicatory inscription to the
Bona Dea at Rome, made by her
freedwoman, Elegans, and dating to the early part of the first century.[11]
Publius Cicereius Onomastus, a teacher who dedicated a tomb at Rome for his freedman, Publius Cicereius Eucarpus, dating to the first half of the first century.[12]
Publius Cicereius P. l. Eucarpus, a freedman buried at Rome, aged thirty, in a tomb dedicated by his former master, the teacher Publius Cicereius Onomastus, dating to the first half of the first century.[12]
Cicereius Ascanius, a
centurionprimipilus in the
Legio XI Claudia, named in an inscription from
Burnum in
Dalmatia, dating to the early or middle part of the first century, along with Lucius Cicereius, and fellow centurion Cicereius Laevus.[13][14]
Lucius Cicereius, a soldier in the Legio XI Claudia, named in an inscription from Burnum, dating to the early or middle part of the first century, along with the centurions Cicereius Laevus and Cicereius Ascanius.[13][14]
Cicereius Laevus, a centurion primipilus in the Legio XI Claudia, named in an inscription from Burnum, dating to the early or middle part of the first century, along with Lucius Cicereius, and fellow centurion Cicereius Ascanius.[13][14]
Cicereia Vitalis, buried in a first-century family sepulchre at Rome, dedicated by her husband, Gaius Raecius Successus.[15]
Publius Cicereius Felix, a maker of lead pipes, named in an inscription from
Londinium, dating between AD 43 and 70.[16][17]
Cicereius Aphrodisius, an
eques buried in a third-century tomb at Rome, dedicated by Aurelia Felicula.[18]
Cicereia Zenonis, buried in a third-century tomb at
Salernum in Campania, dedicated by her son, Aurelius Victor.[19]
Undated Cicereii
Gaius Cicereius, the former master of Cicereia Thaïs, who dedicated a tomb at
Trebula Mutusca in
Samnium for herself and Montanus, a slave still owned by Cicereius.[20]
Publius Cicereius Cotilus, buried at Rome, aged thirty-five, in a tomb dedicated by his sister, Claudia Paezusa.[21]
Cicereia C. f. Felicula, buried at Rome in a tomb dedicated by her father, Gaius Cicereius Secundus.[22]
Cicereia Libera, dedicated a tomb at Rome for her daughter, Proculeia Firmilla.[23]
Cicereia Pontice, dedicated a tomb at Rome for her
client, the freedman Callistratus.[24]
Gaius Cicereius Secundus, a freedman who dedicated a tomb at Rome for his daughter, Cicereia Felicula.[22]
Cicereia C. l. Thaïs, a freedwoman who dedicated a tomb at Trebula Mutusca for herself and Montanus, the slave of Gaius Cicereius, apparently her former master.[20]