Aventinensis

the name of a plebeian family of the Genucia gens. The name was derived from the hill Aventinus, which was the quarter of Rome peculiar to the plebeians. The family was descended from the tribune Cn. Genucius, who was murdered in B. C. 473.

1. L. Genucius Cn. N. Aventinensis, M. F., consul B. C. 365, and again in 362, was killed in battle against the Hernicans in the latter of these years, and his army routed. His defeat and death caused the patricians great joy, as he was the first consul who had marched against the enemy with plebeian auspices. (Liv. 7.1, 4, 6; Diod. 15.90, 16.4; Eutrop. 2.4; Oros. 3.4; Lyd. de Mag. i. 46.)

2. Cn. Genucius Aventinensis, M. F. M. N., consul B. C. 363, in which year the senate was chiefly occupied in endeavouring to appease the anger of the gods. (Liv. 7.3; Diod. 16.2.)

3. L. Genucius (Aventinensis), tribune of the plebs, B. C. 342, probably belonged to this family. He brought forward a law for the abolition of usury, and was probably the author of many of the other reforms in the same year mentioned by Livy. (7.42.)

4. L. Genucius (L. F. M. N.) Aventinensis, consul B. C. 303. (Liv. 10.1; Diod. 20.102.)