The
nomenHoratius is said to have been derived from the hero Horatus, to whom an oak wood was dedicated. The gens was certainly of Latin origin, although there was some uncertainty as to when they arrived at Rome. A legend relates that in the reign of Tullus Hostilius, the fate of the ancient city of
Alba Longa was decided by combat between three brothers from that city and three from Rome. The historian
Livy states that most sources assigned the
Horatii to Rome, and their opponents, the
Curiatii, to Alba Longa. The victory of the Horatii was a pretext for the destruction of Alba Longa, and the transfer of its noble families to Rome.[2][3]
The Horatii of the Republic bore the surnames Barbatus, Cocles, and Pulvillus.[1] Of these, Barbatus and Pulvillus were
cognomina designating different branches of the family, while Cocles appears to have been a personal surname, or
agnomen, given to the hero of the Sublician bridge.
Plutarch supposes that it was derived from the Greek cyclops, because he had lost an eye, or because the shape of his face made it appear as if he had but one eye.[4][5] Cocles is said to have been the nephew of Marcus Horatius Pulvillus, and if he left any issue, they do not seem to have carried on his surname. Other surnames appearing amongst the Horatii in later times may have been adopted by
freedmen of the gens; the poet
Horace was the son of a libertinus, and the cognomen Flaccus is not otherwise found amongst the Horatii.[1]
Members
This list includes abbreviated
praenomina. For an explanation of this practice, see
filiation.
Publius Horatius, father of the
Horatii who fought against the Curiatii, absolved his son of guilt in the death of his sister. In some versions of the story, his praenomen is Marcus.[6][7][8][9]
Publius Horatius, one of the Horatii, three brothers who fought against the three Curiatii in the reign of Tullus Hostilius; and the sole survivor of the combat. Enraged by his sister's grief for one of the slain Curiatii, to whom she had been betrothed, he slew her as well, and by custom his life was forfeit; but their father decreed that in light of his service to his country, his penance was to pass under the yoke.[2][3]
Horatia Camilla, sister of the Horatii, was betrothed to one of the Curiatii, and because of her display of grief was slain by her victorious brother. An ancient tomb near the Porta Capena was said to have been hers.[10][11][12]