Maelĭus, a,
I the name of a Roman gens, of which the most celebrated member is Sp. Maelius, who, under suspicion of aiming at kingly power, was slain, at the command of the dictator L. Quinctius Cincinnatus, by the magister equitum C. Servilius Ahala , Liv. 4, 13 sq.; Cic. Cat. 1, 1, 3; id. Sen. 16, 56; id. Phil. 2, 44, 114; cf. Aequimaelium.—Hence,
II Maelĭānus , a, um, adj., of or belonging to Maelius, Maelian : caedes, i. e. the murder of Sp. Maelius, Liv. 4, 16.—Subst.: Maelĭāni , ōrum, m., the partisans of Maelius, Maelians , Liv. 4, 14.