Cerco

• a Roman cognomen, Liv. 42, 6 init.

the name of a family of the plebeian Lutatia gens.

1. Q. Lutatius Cerco, C. F. C. N., consul with A. Manlius Torquatus Atticus, B. C. 241, in which year the first Punic war was brought to a close by the victory of C. Lutatius Catulus at the Aegates. Cerco is called by Zonaras (8.17) the brother of Catulus, which statement is confirmed by the Capitoline Fasti, in which both are described as C. f. C. n. Zonaras also says, that Cerco was sent into Sicily to regulate the affairs of the island in conjunction with his brother Catulus. After peace had been concluded with Carthage, the Falisci or people of Falerii, for some reason which is unknown, rose against the Romans: both consuls were sent against them, and the war was finished by the conquest of the infatuated people within six days. Half of their domain land was taken from them and their town destroyed. For this success, Cerco as well as his colleague obtained a triumph. (Liv. 30.44, Epit. 19; Eutrop. 2.28; Oros. 4.11; Plb. 1.65; Zonar. 8.18.) Cerco was censor in 236 with L. Cornelius Lentulus, and died in this magistracy. (Fast. Capit.)

2. Cn. Lutatius Cerco, one of the five ambassadors sent to Alexandria, B. C. 173. (Liv. 42.6.)

The annexed coin of the Lutatia gens contains on the obverse the name Cerco with the head of Pallas, and on the reverse Q. Lutati, with a ship enclosed within a wreath made of oak-leaves. The reverse probably refers to the victory of C. Lutatius Catulus, which would of course be regarded by the Cercones as well as the Catuli as conferring honour upon their gens. (Eckhel, v. p. 240.)