The gens Afrania was a plebeian family at Rome, which is first mentioned in the second century BC. The first member of this gens to achieve prominence was Gaius Afranius Stellio, who became praetor in 185 BC.
Origin
The nomen Afranius belongs to a class of gentilicia derived from surnames ending in -anus, typically derived from place names. The Afranii may have been of Picentine origin. Lucius Afranius, who held the consulship in 60 BC, was from Picenum, and a Titus Afranius or Afrenius was one of the leaders of the allies during the Social War.
Praenomina
The main praenomina used by the Afranii were Lucius, Publius, Gaius, Gnaeus and Sextus. There are also several occurrences of Marcus and Quintus, while other praenomina occur infrequently, with individual instances of Aulus, Spurius, and Titus.
Branches and cognomina
The only cognomen of the Afranii in the time of the Republic is Stellio, referring to a spotted newt or lizard, perhaps with the implication that the bearer was crafty. Other surnames are found under the Empire.
Members
Gaius Afranius Stellio, praetor in 185 BC, and triumvir for founding a colony in 183. Gaius Afranius C. f. Stellio, served in the war against Perseus, and was taken captive at the surrender of the Roman garrison at Uscana, 169 BC. Lucius Afranius, a comic poet, who lived at the beginning of the first century BC. Titus Afranius, one of the leaders of the Italian confederates in the Social War. Lucius Afranius A. f., legate of Gnaeus Pompeius, and consul in 60 BC. Spurius Afranius, appears on coins. Marcus Afranius, appears on coins. Gaia Afrania, wife of the senator Licinius Buccio. Lucius Afranius L. l. Buccio, a freedman named in an inscription from Rome. Lucius Afranius L. f. A. n., negotiated with Caesar in Hispania for his life and that of his father. Publius Afranius Potitus, having vowed to sacrifice himself in order to bring about the recovery of Caligula from an illness, was cruelly put to death by the emperor to fulfill the promise. Sextus Afranius Burrus, a general in the time of Claudius, who served as tutor and advisor to the emperor Nero. When he refused to assist Nero in ridding himself of his mother, and then his wife, the emperor had Burrus poisoned, in AD 62. Afranius Quintianus, a senator, was compelled to commit suicide as a result of his part in Piso's conspiracy against Nero in AD 65. Sextus Afranius Prifernas, named in a funerary inscription from Rome, dating to AD 70. Gnaeus Afranius Dexter, a friend of the epigrammatist Marcus Valerius Martialis, was consul suffectus from the Kalends of May in AD 105. He was murdered in early July. Publius Afranius Apthorus, named in a list of donors at Veleia dating to the reign of Trajan. Afranius Priscus, named in a list of donors at Veleia in the reign of Trajan. Afrania Musa, named in a list of donors at Veleia in the reign of Trajan. Publius Afranius Flavianus, consul in AD 117. Gnaeus Afranius, the grandfather of Gnaeus Afranius Priscus Sabinianus. Gnaeus Afranius Sabinus, the father of Gnaeus Afranius Priscus Sabinianus. Gnaeus Afranius Cn. f. Cn. f. Priscus Sabinianus, buried at Aesernia in Samnium, during the second century AD. Lucius Afranius L. f. Sedatus, a native of Sutrium, was a soldier in the praetorian guard in AD 197. Gaius Afranius Victor, one of the vigiles in the time of Septimius Severus. Marcus Afranius Hannibal, tribune of a cohort in the thirtieth legion in Pannonia, some time in the late third century. Afranius Hannibalianus, a senator and military officer, consul in AD 292. Afranius Syagrius, consul in AD 382.