The gens Antistia, sometimes written Antestia on coins, was a plebeian family at ancient Rome. The first of the gens to achieve prominence was Sextus Antistius, tribune of the plebs in 422 BC.

Origin

Tradition indicates that the Antistii came to Rome from Gabii, an ancient Latin town a short distance to the east. According to Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Antistius Petro, leader of Gabii, concluded a treaty with Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, the seventh and last King of Rome. Moreover, the gens may have claimed descent from the Alban kings since Gabii was an Alban foundation and the name 'Antistius' was claimed to derive from Antho daughter of Amulius, king of Alba and uncle of Romulus and Remus.

Praenomina

The oldest branches of the gens Antistia used the praenomina Sextus, Aulus, Lucius, and Marcus. In the later Republic, members of the gens also used Publius, Titus, and Gaius. The Antistii Veteres used primarily Gaius and Lucius. One Quintus appears in the imperial era.

Branches and cognomina

In the earlier ages of the Republic, none of the members of the gens appear with any surname, and even in later times they are sometimes mentioned without one. The surnames under the Republic are Gragulus, Labeo, Reginus, and Vetus. The last of these, the Antistii Veteres, were the greatest of the Antistii. In 29 BC, Octavian elevated this family to the patriciate. They held several consulships from the time of Augustus to that of Antoninus Pius. Gragulus refers to a jackdaw (graculus in Latin), which is displayed on the bronze coins of the only known Antestius with this cognomen.

Members

Antistii Regini

Antistii Veteres

Footnotes