plebeian, is mentioned for the first time in the tribunate of C. Gracchus, but it never attained much importance during the republic. In the imperial period the Rubrii became more distinguished; and one of them, namely C. Rubrius Gallus, obtained the consulship in A. D. 101. The surnames of the Rubrii in the time of the republic are Ruya, Varro, and Dossenus, the latter of which occurs only on coins [DOSSENUS]. Under the empire we meet with a few more surnames, which are given below.
A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology
Smith, William
A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890