Roscĭus, i, m., the name of a Roman gens.
I L. Roscius, a Roman ambassador , slain in a revolt at Fidenae , Liv. 4, 17, 2.—
II L. Roscius Otho, a friend of Cicero , who , when tribune of the people , A. U.C. 686, carried through a law that fourteen rows of seats in the theatre next to those of the senators should be appropriated to the knights , Cic. Mur. 19, 40; Liv. Epit. 99; Ascon. ap. Cornel. p. 784; Vell. 2, 32, 3; Plin. 7, 30, 31, § 117; Juv. 14, 324. The law just referred to was called Lex Roscia, Cic. Phil. 2, 18, 44; Hor. Ep. 1, 1, 62; Tac. A. 15, 32.—
III Q. Roscius Gallus, a freedman from Lanuvium , a very celebrated actor , the intimate friend of Cicero , who defended him in an oration still extant. His excellence soon became proverbial: videtisne, quam nihil ab eo (sc. Roscio) nisi perfecte, nihil nisi cum summā venustate flat, etc.... Itaque hoc jam diu est consecutus, ut in quo quisque artificio excelleret, is in suo genere Roscius diceretur, Cic. de Or. 1, 28, 130; 59, 251; id. Arch. 8, 17; cf. id. Brut. 84, 290; Hor. Ep. 2, 1, 82. — Hence,
B Roscĭā-nus , a, um, adj., Roscian : imitatio senis, Roscius’s , Cic. de Or. 2, 59, 242.—
IV Sex. Roscius, of Ameria , defended by Cicero , A. U. C. 674, in an oration still extant , Cic. Off. 2, 14, 51; id. Brut. 90, 312.—
V Lucius Roscius, who commanded a legion under Caesar , Caes. B. G. 7, 53; id. B. C. 1, 10.