Although some believe that he came from Spain, his name suggests that he belonged to the tribe of the Pontii ​ — Samnite nobles from southern Italy.
ورغم اعتقاد البعض انه اسباني ،‏ يشير اسمه الى انتمائه الى قبيلة پونتي ،‏ وهم نبلاء سمنيّون من جنوب ايطاليا .‏