The gens Carvilia was a plebeian family at ancient Rome, which first distinguished itself during the Samnite Wars. The first member of this gens to achieve the consulship was Spurius Carvilius Maximus, in 293 BC.

Origin

The Carvilii were a modest family of equestrian rank, which rose to prominence due to the military exploits of Spurius Carvilius Maximus. The nomen Carvilius belongs to a large class of gentilicia ending in -ilus or -illus, typically derived from diminutive surnames originally ending in -ulus. The root of the name is uncertain; perhaps related to the surname Carbo, a coal, or coal-black.

Praenomina

The only praenomina used by the Carvilii were Spurius, Gaius, and Lucius.

Branches and cognomina

The Carvilii of the Republic were not divided into separate families, and the only cognomen that was handed down among them was Maximus, "very great" or "greatest", which was probably applied first to Spurius Carvilius, the consul of 293 and 272 BC, in recognition of his military victories and splendid character. Two of this family bore the additional surname Ruga, a furrow or wrinkle.

Members