The gens Modia was a minor family at Ancient Rome, known from a small number of individuals.[1]

Praenomina

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The Modii are known to have used the praenomina Quintus, Septimus, Marcus, Gaius, and Lucius, all of which were very common, except for Septimus, which was quite unusual.[2] The first Modius to appear in history was a duumvir of Luceria in Apulia at the end of the Pyrrhic War; the gens might therefore come from this city.

Members

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  • Gaius Modius Cr. f., duumvir of Luceria circa 275 BC; he minted bronze coins during his magistracy.[i][3]
  • Septimus Modius, known from an inscription.[4]
  • Quintus Modius Equiculus, mentioned by Varro.[5]
  • Marcus Modius, mentioned by Cicero.[6]
  • Gaius Modius Justus, propraetor of Numidia in an uncertain year.[7]
  • Quintus Modius, described as the brother of Gaius Vibius Postumus, probably the same who was proconsul of Asia during the reign of Nero.[7]
  • Modia, a Roman matron mentioned by Juvenal.[8]
  • Modius Terventinus, praefectus vehiculorum in AD 214.[7]
  • Modius Julius, governor of Britannia Inferior in AD 219.[7]
  • Gaius Modius Taurus, a Roman aristocrat, mentioned in an inscription of uncertain date.[7]

See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ The praenomen of his father abbreviated "Cr." on his coins does not refer to any known Latin praenomen.

References

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  1. ^ Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, vol. II, p. 1109 ("Modius").
  2. ^ Chase, p. 151.
  3. ^ Hoover, Handbook of Coins of Italy, pp. 242, 243.
  4. ^ Realencyclopädie der Classischen Altertumswissenschaft, s. v. "Modius".
  5. ^ Varro, Rerum Rusticarum, ii. 7.
  6. ^ Cicero, In Verrem, ii. 48.
  7. ^ a b c d e PIR, vol. II, p. 385.
  8. ^ Juvenal, iii. 130.

Bibliography

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  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainSmith, William, ed. (1870). "Modius". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. Vol. II. p. 1109.