proper noun · masculinesecond declension
Potītius1
Potītius m sg (genitive Potītiī or Potītī)
Classical[pɔˈtiː.ti.ʊs]Ecclesiastical[poˈtit.t͡si.us]
Meaning
- a Roman nomen gentile, gens or "family name"
Declension
| form | singular | plural |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | Potītius | — |
| genitive | Potītiī Potītī | — |
| dative | Potītiō | — |
| accusative | Potītium | — |
| ablative | Potītiō | — |
| vocative | Potītī | — |
Pŏtītĭus, a,
I. name of a Roman gens.
I. Adj., Potitian:
gens Potitia, Liv. 9, 29. —Origins
Multiple theories relating to the standing of the Potitii in the cult of Hercules: * Denis van Berchem suggests an archaic form of potītus, past participle of potior (“take possession”), indicating that they were slaves of the god on the model of Eastern temple practice. * Jérôme Carcopino derives the term from Ancient Greek ποτίζω (potízō, “water, nourish”), in the sense of officiating at sacred meals.