A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Ἀηνόβαρβος, the name of a plebeian family of the DOMITIAGENS, so called from the red hair which many of this family had. To explain this name, which signifies "Red-Beard," and to assign a high antiquity to their family, it was said that the Dioscuri announced to one of their

ancestors the victory of the Romans over the Latins at lake Regillus (B. C. 496), and, to confirm the truth of what they said, that they stroked his black hair and beard, which immediately became red. (Suet. Nero 1; Plut. Aemil. 25, Coriol. 3 ; Dionys. A. R. 6.13; Tertull. Apol. 22.)