The gens Arria was a plebeian family at ancient Rome, which occurs in history beginning in the final century of the Republic, and became quite prominent in imperial times. The first of the gens to achieve prominence was Quintus Arrius, praetor in 72 BC. Origin The Arrii were probably of Oscan descent, as their nomen appears to be Oscan. They probably came to Rome some time during the middle or late Republic; Cicero describes the first of the Arrii mentioned in history as a man of low birth, who achieved his station through hard work, rather than by education or talent. Praenomina The Arrii of the Republic used the praenomina Quintus, Gaius, and Marcus. Gnaeus occurs in imperial times. Branches and cognomina None of the Arrii during the Republic bore any cognomen. In imperial times, we find the surnames Gallus, Varus, and Aper. Gallus and Aper belong to a widespread class of surnames derived from familiar objects and animals; Aper signified a wild boar, while Gallus refers to a cockerel, although it could also refer to a Gaul, indicating someone of Gallic descent or association. Varus, "knock-kneed", was originally given to someone whose legs were turned inward.New College Latin & English Dictionary, s. v. aper, gallus. Members Quintus Arrius, praetor in 73 BC, and apparently propraetor in the following year, during the Third Servile War. He inflicted a devastating defeat against Crixus, but was in turn defeated by Spartacus. He died while on his way to take up the government of Sicily.Cicero, In Verrem, ii. 15, iv. 20, De Divinatione, p. 383 (ed. Orelli), Brutus, 69.Scholia Gronoviana, In Ciceronis de Divinatione, p. 383 (ed. Orelli). Quintus Arrius Q. f., a friend of Cicero, sought the consulship in 59 BC, but was unsuccessful. Gaius Arrius, a neighbor of Cicero at Formiae, whose persistent company in 59 BC proved to be a nuisance. Marcus Arrius Q. f. Secundus, in 41 BC. Arria, set an example for her husband, Caecina Paetus, whom Claudius had ordered to take his own life. Stabbing herself, she handed Paetus the dagger, claiming that the act caused her no pain.Cassius Dio, lx. 16.Joannes Zonaras, Epitome Historiarum xi. 9. Arria, the daughter of Caecina Paetus and Arria, married Publius Clodius Thrasea Paetus, whom Nero had put to death in AD 67. Arria Galla, the wife of Domitius Silus, who quietly surrendered her to Gaius Calpurnius Piso, the conspirator against