Perperna (gens)


The gens Perperna, also found as Perpenna, was a plebeian family at Rome. Members of this gens first appear in history during the second century BC, and Marcus Perperna obtained the consulship in 130 BC.

Origin

The Perpernae were certainly of Etruscan origin, as indicated by the form of their nomen; gentilicia ending in -enna, -erna, -inna, and similar forms are characteristic of Etruscan families, and are not found among the other peoples of Italy. Both Perperna and Perpenna are found in the best manuscripts, and no coins of this gens have survived, although Fronto mentions some that existed in his time. The Fasti Capitolini give the name as Perperna, which seems to be preferred in modern scholarship.
It is uncertain precisely when and under what circumstances the Perpernae arrived at Rome. Although there was a Roman ambassador of this name in 168 BC, Valerius Maximus relates a curious and perhaps confused account, in which the father of Marcus Perperna, consul in 130 BC, was condemned after his son's death, for having unlawfully assumed the character of a Roman citizen. It seems strange that the father of a Roman consul would not himself have been a citizen, or have obtained the franchise during his son's lifetime. Adding to the confusion, Valerius Maximus refers to his punishment under the lex Papia, which expelled non-citizens from Rome, and punished those who had wrongfully assumed the franchise; but this law is generally supposed to have been passed by Gaius Papius, tribune of the plebs in 65 BC. Broughton suggests that Valerius Maximus has confused the law with the lex Junia de Peregrinis of 126 BC, but this does not resolve the uncertainty regarding the consul's father. Broughton identifies the consul's father as the Marcus Perperna who was legate in 168 BC, and concludes that Valerius Maximus was incorrect.

Praenomina

Marcus was the chief praenomen of the Perpernae who occur in history, although this family also made use of Lucius and Gaius. These were the three most common praenomina throughout Roman history. In inscriptions, we also find Aulus, Sextus, and Titus.

Branches and cognomina

All of the Perpernae who are mentioned by the ancient historians appear to have belonged to a single family, and only one of them bore a cognomen. Marcus Perperna, the betrayer of Sertorius, bore the surname Vento. Other Perpernae are known from inscriptions.

Members