A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

7. C.ValeriusPotitusFlaccus, probably son or grandson of No. 6, was consul B. C. 331, with M. Claudius Marcellus. Livy says, that in some annals Valerius appeared with the cognomen of Potitus, and in others with that of Flaccus (Liv. 8.18). Orosius, who mentions Valerius (3.10), calls him simply Valerius Flaccus, without the cognomen of Potitus. It is probable that he was the first of the family who assumed the surname of Flaccus, and that his descendants dropped the name of Potitus. If this supposition is correct, the Flacci, who became afterwards a distinguished family of the Valeria gens, would be sprung from this Valerius Potitus. [FLACCUS, VALERIUS.]