Sestia (gens)


The gens Sestia was a family at Rome. The gens was originally patrician, but in later times there were also plebeian members. The only member of the family to obtain the consulship under the Republic was Publius Sestius Capitolinus Vaticanus, in 452 BC.

Origin

The nomen Sestius is frequently confounded with that of Sextius, and the two names may originally have been the same; but the ancient writers evidently regarded them as two distinct names. If they are in fact two forms of the same name, then Sestius is probably a patronymic surname, based on the common praenomen Sextus, meaning "sixth". The same name gave rise to the plebeian gens Sextilia.

Praenomina

The praenomina used by the Sestii included Publius, Lucius, Vibius, and Titus. The Sestii are the only patrician family known to have used Vibius.

Branches and cognomina

The only cognomen of the early Sestii is Capitolinus, probably referring to the Capitoline Hill, where the family may have lived. The consul of 452 BC bore the agnomen Vaticanus, apparently referring to the Vatican Hill, across the Tiber from the Capitol. Towards the end of the Republic, the surnames Pansa, meaning "splay-footed," and Gallus, a cock or a Gaul, are found.

Members