Raecia gens
The gens Raecia, also spelled Racia, was a minor plebeian family at ancient Rome. Members of this gens are first mentioned at the time of the Second Punic War. Marcus Raecius was praetor in 170 BC. However, after this the family fell into obscurity until imperial times. Origin The nomen Raecius appears to be of Oscan origin, indicating that the Raecii were probably descended from one of the Oscan-speaking peoples of central and southern Italy, such as the Sabines or the Samnites. The nomen Racilia may have been derived from Raecia, using the common diminutive suffix . Branches and cognomina None of the Raecii who appear in history during the Republic bore any cognomen, but the Raecii of imperial times used a variety of common surnames. Taurus, a bull, Gallus, a cockerel, and Leo, a lion, belong to a common type of cognomina derived from the names of familiar objects and animals. Rufus, red, was usually bestowed on someone with red hair, while Constans indicated someone steadfast or faithful. Members Marcus Raecius, one of two ambassadors sent to Massilia in 208 BC, in order to gather intelligence concerning the approach of Hasdrubal, who invaded Italy the following spring. Marcus Raecius,