The gens Helvia was a
plebeian family at
ancient Rome. This
gens is first mentioned at the time of the
Second Punic War, but the only member of the family to hold any curule
magistracy under the
Republic was Gaius Helvius,
praetor in BC 198. Soon afterward, the family slipped into obscurity, from which it was redeemed by the emperor
Pertinax, nearly four centuries later.[1]
Praenomina
The Helvii of the Republic are known to have used the
praenominaGnaeus,
Gaius, and Marcus. In
imperial times we also find Lucius and Publius. All of these were amongst the most common praenomina throughout all periods of Roman history.
Branches and cognomina
The surnames of the Helvii under the Republic included Blasio, Cinna, and Mancia, but several of the family appear without a
cognomen.[1] Under the Empire, a number of Helvii are found with the surname Rufus, but it is not apparent whether they constituted a distinct family of the Helvia gens.
Members
This list includes abbreviated
praenomina. For an explanation of this practice, see
filiation.
Marcus Helvius Blasio, plebeian aedile in BC 198, and praetor in 197, assigned the province of
Hispania Ulterior. On his return home in 195, he was attacked by an army of 20,000
Celtiberi near the town of
Illiturgi in
Hispania Citerior; his guard of 6,000 defeated the Celtiberi and took the town. He was awarded an
ovation, and in 194 was one of the commissioners for founding the
colony of
Sipontum in
Apulia.[7][8][9]
Helvius Blasio, a friend of
Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus, for whom he tried to set an example by taking his own life, when Brutus was captured by his enemies.[13]
Marcus Helvius Rufus, a soldier who was recognized for his bravery in battle against
Tacfarinas. He might be the same person as Marcus Helvius Rufus Civica.[22]
Gnaeus Helvius Sabinus, a candidate for
aedile of
Pompeii shortly before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Over one hundred notices for his election have been found.[29]
Helvius Successus, father of the emperor Pertinax, was a
freedman, who worked as a wool merchant and charcoal-burner at
Alba Pompeia.[30]
Marcus Helvius Clemens Dextrianus, equestrian governor of
Raetia during the reign of Commodus.[31]
Publius Helvius Pertinax, emperor from January to March, AD 193. After an illustrious military and political career, he was proclaimed emperor following the murder of
Commodus, and embarked upon a series of reforms; but in his haste he quickly made enemies, and was soon dispatched by the
Praetorian Guard.[30]