Gens

In ancient Rome,gens (pl. gentes) wasclan, or groupfamilies, that sharedcommon name (the nomen) andbelief incommon ancestor. InRoman naming convention,second name wasname ofgenswhichperson belonged.

The origins ofgentesunclear, although theyprobably not as ancient asRomans themselves thought; although some were associatedparticular cults or ceremonies, all were primarily personalfamilialnature,no specific political or public duties. Also,gentes did not usually have legendary founders that were worshipped, andgentile assembliesnot recordedhave passed any sortlegally binding resolutions.

Nevertheless,relationships ofgentes wasmajor factorpolitics; members ofsame gens were "family",therefore frequently (thought not always) political allies.

Originallyplebeianspatricians were not allowedintermarry,several patrician families had collapsed asresult, untilLex Canuleia was passed.

Amongpatrician gentes there were two categories,gentes maiores, andgentes minores. The maiores wereleading familiesRome: these wereAemilii, Claudii, Cornelii, Fabii,Valerii,they claimed special privileges both religioussecular.