The origin of the nomen Sentius is uncertain, but it might be derived from the Latinsentus, thorny. Chase classifies it among those gentilicia that either originated at Rome, or cannot be shown to have come from anywhere else.[2]Syme prefers an Etruscan origin, noting that the name seems abundant at Clusium. However, the Sentii Saturnini of the late Republic were from Atina in southern Latium.[3]
Praenomina
The main praenomina used by the Sentii were Gaius, Gnaeus, and Lucius, all of which were very common throughout Roman history. Other names attested from inscriptions include Quintus and Sextus.
Branches and cognomina
The most important family of the Sentii bore the cognomenSaturninus, which occurs on coins. Other coins of this gens include no surnames.[1] One of the more noteworthy Sentii of imperial times bore the surname Augurinus, an occupational cognomen probably indicating that he or one of his ancestors was an augur.[4]
Members
This list includes abbreviated praenomina. For an explanation of this practice, see filiation.
Sentii Saturnini
Gaius Sentius C. f., praetorurbanus in 94 BC, and governor of Macedonia from 93 to 87. He repelled an invasion of the Thracians under Sothinus, but was later driven back by Ariathes and Taxiles.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]
Lucius Sentius C. f., triumvir monetalis probably between 105 and 100 BC, was praetor in an uncertain year, between 93 and 89.[12][1][13][14]
Gaius Sentius C. f. C. n. Saturninus, the father of Vetulo.[14]
Gaius Sentius C. f. C. n. Saturninus Vetulo, one of those proscribed by the triumvirs in 43 BC, escaped death by assuming the insignia of a praetor, and marching to Puteoli, where he boarded a ship for Sicily, and joined Sexus Pompeius. He went over to Octavian in 35.[21][22][23][24]
Lucius Sentius C. f. C. n. Saturninus, the third son of Gaius Sentius Saturninus, attended the trial of Herod's sons in 6 BC, along with his father and brothers, Gaius and Gnaeus.[31][32]
Gnaeus Sentius Cn. f. Saturninus, a native of Atina, was a scout serving in the eighth cohort of the Praetorian Guard, in the century of Severus. He was buried in a first century tomb at Rome, aged twenty-seven, having served for eight years.[35]
Lucius Sentius L. f. Saturninus, a native of Mediolanum in Cisalpine Gaul, was a scout serving in the century of Lucius Cornelius Viator. He was buried at Rome, aged thirty-three, having served for thirteen years.[36]
Gaius Sentius Saturninus, a veteran of the fourth legion, built a tomb at Stobi in Macedonia for himself, his wife, Gavia Julia, their son, Gaius Sentius Saturninus, and Sentia, the freedwoman of Zosimus.[37]
Gaius Sentius C. f. Saturninus, the son of Gaius Sentius Saturninus and Gavia Julia, was a soldier in the fourth cohort of the Praetorian Guard. He was buried at Stobi in a tomb built by his father.[37]
Sentia, the freedwoman of Zosimus, buried in a family sepulchre built at Stobi by Gaius Sentius Saturninus.[37]
Sentia Saturnina, dedicated a tomb at Comum in Cisalpine Gaul to her husband, Gaius Catius Secundus.[38]
Sentia Saturnina, buried at Naraggara in Africa Proconsularis, aged sixty-five, along with Decimus Gargilius Gargilianus, aged sixty-eight.[39]
Quintus Sentius Saturninus, a man of equestrian rank, buried in an ornate tomb at Iufi in Africa Proconsularis.[40]
Others
Sentius Potitus, mentioned in a rescript of uncertain date.[41]
Sentius Augurinus, a close friend and contemporary of Pliny the Younger, who described him as a skillful and eminent poet. He wrote short works in the style of Catullus and Gaius Licinius Macer Calvus. He might be the same person as the Quintus Gellius Sentius Augurinus, governor of Macedonia under Hadrian.[46][47][48]
Sentius, a centurion who was sent as an envoy to Mebarsapes during Trajan's Parthian War, in AD 116. Mebarsapes imprisoned him at Adenystrae, but when Roman forces approached the city, Sentius led his fellow prisoners in a revolt, killing the Parthian commander, and opening the gates to the Romans.[49]
Gnaeus Sentius Aburnianus, consul suffectus in AD 123.[50]
Gaius Sentius Severus Quadratus, a man of senatorial rank, and an official of the imperial court at an uncertain period.[51]
Sentia Sabina,[ii] a Roman matron from a senatorial family, named in an inscription from the late third or early fourth century.[52]
Quintus Sentius Fabricius Julianus, twice proconsul of Africa, the second time from AD 412 to 414.[53][54]
