[160] Varro, R. R. i. 2. 10.
[161] Unless Sp. Cassius, consul 502, 493, 486 B.C. and author of the first agrarian rogation, is a myth; cf. Drumann-Gröbe, Gesch. Roms, ii. 94.
[162] Cf. Cic. Orat. i. 39. 176. The patrician and plebeian branches are sometimes spoken of as distinct gentes; Suet. Tib. 1.
[163] Mommsen, Röm. Forsch. i. 113 f.; Drumann-Gröbe, ibid. 359.
[164] Cic. Phil. i. 13. 32; Gell. ix. 2. 11; Fest. ep. 125.
[165] Mommsen, ibid. 116.
[166] L. Poplilius Volscus, patrician; Livy v. 12. 10. Q. Publilius Philo, plebeian; Livy viii. 15. 9.
[167] This patrician gens included an Aebutius who was tribune of the plebs (Cic. Leg. Agr. ii. 8. 21) and several other plebeians; Klebs, in Pauly-Wissowa, Real-Encycl. i. 442 f.
[168] Mommsen, ibid. 117 ff.
[169] V. 14. 4: “Comitiis auspicato quae fierent indignum dis visum honores volgari discriminaque gentium confundi.”