I.name of a Roman gens. The most celebrated member of it is Cn. Naevius, a Roman epic and dramatic poet, born A. U. C. 480. He made the first Punic war, in which he had served, the subject of a poem, in which he so boldly satirized the nobility, especially the Metelli, that he was forced into exile at Utica, where he died, A. U. C. 550, Cic. Brut. 15, 60; id. Tusc. 1, 1, 3; Gell. 1, 24, 2; 17, 21, 45.—Hence,
A. Naevĭus , a, um, adj., of or belonging to a Nævius, Nœvian: “porta Naevia,” Liv. 2, 11; cf. Varr. L. L. 5, § 163 Müll.: Naevia silva dicta juxta Romam, quod Naevi cujusdam fuerit, Paul. ex Fest. p. 168 ib.: “Naevia olea,” Col. 12, 48.—
B. Naevĭānus , a, um, adj., Nævian; i. e.,
1. Of or belonging to the poel Nævius: “Hector,” Cic. Fam. 5, 12: “scripta,” id. Brut. 15: “modi,” id. Leg. 2, 15.—
