Fu'lvia Gens
(of which the older term was
Foulvia), plebeian, but one of the most illustrious Roman gentes.
According to Cicero (
pro Planc. 8, comp.
Phil. 3.6) and Pliny (
Plin. Nat. 7.44), this gens had come to Rome from Tusculum, although some members must have remained in their native place, since Fulvii occur at Tusculum as late as the time of Cicero.
The gens Fulvia was believed to have received its sacra from Hercules after he had accomplished his twelve labours.
The cognomens which occur in this gens in the time of the republic are BAMBALIO, CENTUMALUS, CURVUS (omitted under CURVUS, but given under FULVIUS), FLACCUS, GILLO, NTACCA, NOBILIOR, PAETINUS. and VERATIUS, or NERATIUS. The annexed coin, belonging to this gens, bears on the obverse a head of Pallas, with ROMA, and on the reverse Victory in a biga, with CN. FOUL. M. CAL. Q. MET., that is, Cn. Fulvius, M. Calidius, Q. Metellus.
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