Aesernĭa (Es-), ae, f.,
I a town in Samnium , on the river Vulturnus , now Isernia , Cic. Att. 8, 11, D, § 2; Vell. 1, 14; Liv. Epit. 72, 73 al.
II —Hence, Aesernīnus , a, um, adj. pertaining to or a native of , Aesernia : ager, Liv. 10, 31: turma, id. 44, 40.—Also a surname of M. Marcellus , who was taken prisoner there by the Samnites , Liv. Epit. 73; Plin. 12, 1, 5, § 12.— Aesernīni , ōrum, m., the inhabitants of Aesernia , Liv. 27, 10. —Aeserninus was also the name of a renowned gladiator; hence the proverb: Aeserninus cum Pacidiano, one champion against another , when two equally great men are compared together or engaged in mutual conflict, Lucil. ap. Non. 393, 28; Cic. Q. Fr. 3, 4; id. Opt. Gen. Orat. 6 (cf.: cum Bitho Bacchius, Hor. S. 1, 7, 20).