Mussidia (gens)


The gens Mussidia was a minor plebeian family at Rome. Few of the Mussidii attained the higher offices of the Roman state, although Titus Mussidius Pollianus obtained the consulship in the time of Caligula. Other members of this gens are known from inscriptions.

Origin

The Mussidii appear to be of Paelignian origin, and may have been natives of Sulmo, which besides Rome is the only location in Italy where the name is found. The nomen Mussidius belongs to a large class of gentilicia formed using the suffix '. Most of these names were originally derived from cognomina ending in ', but such names were so numerous that ' must have come to be regarded as a regular gentile-forming suffix, and was used to form nomina from names or words other than those ending in '.

Praenomina

The only praenomina known from the senatorial Mussidii are Titus and Lucius. Gaius and Decimus are found in inscriptions. All but Decimus were very common throughout Roman history, while Decimus was favoured by a small number of families, mostly of plebeian origin.

Branches and cognomina

The only cognomen associated with the main branch of the Mussidii is Longus, normally given to someone who was particularly tall. Pollianus, borne by two of the Mussidii, probably in the same branch as Longus, probably indicates descent from the Pollii through the female line. Optatus, found among a family of Mussidii in Spain, means "welcome" or "desired", while Proculus is an old praenomen that became a common surname.

Members

Mussidii Longi