The gens Maria was a plebeian family of Rome. Its most celebrated member was Gaius Marius, one of the greatest generals of antiquity, and seven times consul.

Origin

As a nomen, Marius is probably derived from the Oscan praenomen Marius, in which case the family may be of Sabine or Sabellic background, although in this form the name is Latinized, and the family cannot be proven to have originated anywhere other than Rome.

Praenomina

The Marii of the Republic used the praenomina Marcus, Gaius, Lucius, Quintus, and ''Sextus. Publius and Titus'' are found in imperial times.

Branches and cognomina

The Marii of the Republic were never divided into any families, though in course of time, more especially under the emperors, several of the Marii assumed surnames. The only cognomen found on coins is Capito.

Members

Footnotes