Aequi

See also: aequi and æqui-

Latin

Etymology

The name is of unclear origin, but likely from Aequian. The extended version of their name, Aequīculi, possibly derives from a locative form of aequum (“plain”), suggesting they were initially "inhabitants of the plain." However, historically, they resided in predominantly hilly regions.

The presence of the -q- in the name might trace back to a Proto-Indo-European *kʷ-. This suggests a connection to the Latin family, which retains this sound, unlike the Volscian, Umbrian, and Samnite dialects where it becomes p- (e.g., Latin quis versus Oscan 𐌐𐌉𐌔 (pis)). Alternatively, the *kʷ- could stem from an original Indo-European "k" + "u" combination, akin to the transformation seen in Latin equus and Umbrian 𐌄𐌊𐌅𐌏𐌍 (ekvon). Although the adjective Aequicus could imply a relationship with the Volscians or Sabines, it does not seem to have been used as an actual ethnic designation.

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /ˈae̯.kʷiː/, [ˈäe̯kʷiː]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈe.kwi/, [ˈɛːkwi]

Proper noun

Aequī m pl (genitive Aequōrum); second declension

1. An Italic tribe of northeast Latium and the central Apennines of Italy who appear in the early history of ancient Rome.

Declension

Second-declension noun, with locative, plural only.

Case	Plural
Nominative	Aequī
Genitive	Aequōrum
Dative	Aequīs
Accusative	Aequōs
Ablative	Aequīs
Vocative	Aequī
Locative	Aequīs

References

• “Aequi”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• Aequi in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette.