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.
Kuigi mõnede arvates pärines ta Hispaaniast, osutab tema nimi sellele, et ta põlvnes Pontiidest – Lõuna - Itaalia samniidide hõimu aristokraatide suguharust.