The Villii of the Republic used a variety of
praenomina, including
Appius, a name usually associated with the
patricianClaudii, and
Tiberius, both of which were fairly uncommon, as well as more common names such as
Lucius,
Publius, and
Sextus.
Branches and cognomina
There were two main families of the Villii, bearing the
cognominaAnnalis and Tappulus.[1] The former was given in consequence of
Lucius Villius, tribune of the plebs in 179 BC, and author of the lex Villia Annalis, establishing the minimum age (annus, literally a person's "year") at which candidates could stand for public offices.[2][3] A few of the Villii are mentioned without a surname.[1]
Members
This list includes abbreviated
praenomina. For an explanation of this practice, see
filiation.
Lucius Villius Annalis, tribune of the plebs in 180 BC, passed the lex Villia Annalis, through which he and his descendants obtained their surname.[2][12]
Sextus Villius (Annalis), a friend of
Titus Annius Milo, described only as Sextus Villius, is probably the same person as Sextus Annalis, mentioned by
Quintilian.[13][14]
(Lucius) Villius L. f. L. n. Annalis, son of the praetor, was a candidate for the
quaestorship, and was canvassing for votes with his father when news of the elder Villius' proscription caused him to flee to the house of one of his clientes. The son, guessing at his whereabouts, betrayed him to the triumvirs, and was rewarded with the aedileship. But soon afterward he was killed in a drunken brawl, with the same soldiers who had slain his father.[16][17]
Others
Gaius Villius, a friend of
Tiberius Gracchus, who was put to death after the murder of Gracchus in 133 BC. Villius was killed in the manner of a
parricide, by being shut in a vessel with snakes and vipers.[18]
^Since the praenomen Appius is usually associated with the patrician Claudii (among whom was the leader of the decemvirs who were deposed in the year Villius was elected tribune), some manuscripts amend the tribune's name to Publius.[4]
References
^
abcDictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, vol. III, p. 1260 ("
Villia Gens").