Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology/Cicero (Claudii)

by William Smith

Ci´cero, the name of a family, little distinguished in history, belonging to the plebeian Claudia gens, the only member of which mentioned is C. Claudius Cicero, tribune of the plebs in b. c. 454. (Liv. iii. 31.) The word seems to be connected with deer, and may have been originally applied by way of distinction to some individual celebrated for his skill in raising that kind of pulse, by whom the epithet would be transmitted to his descendants. Thus the designation will be precisely analogous to Bulbus, Fabius, Lentulus, Piso, Tubero, and the like. [ W. R. ]