Caere, n. indecl.
(
- I. gen. Caerĭtis. f., Verg. A. 8, 597; abl. Caerēte, id. ib. 10, 183), = Καιρη Steph., Καιρέα Strab., a very ancient city of Etruria, one of the twelve; previously called Agylla, now Cervetri, Plin. 3, 5, 8, § 51; Serv. ad Verg. A. 8, 597; 10, 183; Liv 1, 60, 2.
- II. Derivv.
- A. Caeres, ĭtis and ētis, adj., of or pertaining to Cœre, Cœritic: populus, Liv. 7, 19, 6: aquae, Val. Max. 1, 6, 9; cf. Liv. 22, 1, 10.
In plur.: Caerĭtes (Caerētes), um, m., the inhabitants of Cœre, Liv. 7, 19, 8 and 10; 7, 20, 1; 5, 50, 3. In consequence of assisting the Romans in the Gallic war, they received the privilege of Roman citizenship, but without the jus suffragii. Hence the catalogues of such quasi-citizens were called tabulae Caerites or Caeritum, and Roman citizens, in consequence of disfranchisement inflicted by the censor, were enrolled in these, being deprived of the right of voting; hence the odious access. idea of the expression in tabulas Caerites (um) referri, to be degraded. Ascon. Cic. Div. in Caecil. 3, 8; Gell. 16, 13, 7 sq.
Hence: Caerite cerā ( = tabulā) digni, Hor. Ep 1, 6, 62 (notā infamiae et omni ignominiā digni sumus, Schol. Crucq.).
- B. Caerētā-nus, a, um, adj., of or belonging to Cœre: amnis, Plin. 3, 5, 8, § 51.
Subst.
- 1. Cae-rētānum, i, n., a country-seat near Cœre, Col. 3, 3, 3.
- 2. Caerētāna, ōrum, n. (sc. vina), wine from Cœre, Mart. 13, 124.
- 3. Caerētāni, ōrum, m., the inhabitants of Cœre, Val. Max. 1, 1, 1.