Caere, n. indecl. (gen. Caerĭtis. f., Verg. A. 8, 597; abl. Caerēte, id. ib. 10, 183),
I = Καίρη Steph., Καιρέα Strab., a very ancient city of Etruria , one of the twelve; previously called Agylla, now Cerveteri , 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 Caere , Caeritic : 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 Caere , 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 Caere : amnis, Plin. 3, 5, 8, § 51.—Subst.
1 Cae-rētānum , i, n., a country-seat near Caere , Col. 3, 3, 3.—
2 Caerētāna , ōrum, n. (sc. vina), wine from Caere , Mart. 13, 124.—
3 Caerētāni , ōrum, m., the inhabitants of Caere , Val. Max. 1, 1, 1.