TULLIUS2 HOSTILLIUS. Tullus Hostilius is traditionally regarded as the third king of Rome, 673-642 B.C. The Hostilius clan defended Rome against the Sabines and were regarded as founders of the Curia Hostilia (De casibus virorum illustrium III.2). Valerius Maximus tells the story of Hostilius's rise from poverty to riches in his chapter De humili loco natis, Factorum dictorumque memorabilium Liber III.iv.1.
The Old Wife quotes Valerius's story of Tullius Hostillius, WBT 1165-1167. It is doubtful that Chaucer knew Valerius Maximus at firsthand. R.A. Pratt suggests that he found the story in the Communiloquium III.iii.3 of John of Wales (second half of the thirteenth century), which shows similar language. Chaucer refers to the generosity of Tullius Hostillius, Lenvoy de Chaucer a Scogan. [Valerie]
Tullius, derived perhaps by analogy from Tullius Cicero, is the family name and appears in Valerius Maximus; Hostillius is the clan name. The two names appear in final rhyming position.