Roman Names Notes #1

Men’s Names Roman men who were citizens NORMALLY had 3 names. Each part of the name had a “title”: PraenomenNomenCognomen

Praenomen This was the first of the three names There were only about 20 in use for ALL of the Roman men! This was the name that members of your family or close friends would call you.

Praenomen Some praenomens would correspond with numbers such as: – Quintus: “Fifth” – Sextus: “Sixth” – Decimus: “Tenth”

Nomen This was the second of the three names It designated the gens or “clan” that you belonged to This was the name that people would use in a public setting and is hereditary It also designated social class

Social Classes There were two primary social classes in ancient Rome. They were: – Patricians (The upper class; wealthy citizens) – Plebians (The lower class; moderate to poor citizens)

Nomen We get some modern day names from the nomen of Romans. Here are some examples: – Claudius Claude (M.) Claudia (F.) – Livius Oliver (M.) Olivia (F.) – Iulius Julius; Jules (M.) Julia; Julie (F.)

Cognomen This was the third of three names. Often this was a second last name, and could often be witty or descriptive o Agricola: Farmer o Maximus: Very Big o Petrus: Rock

Agnomen Sometimes a Roman would have a fourth name called an “Agnomen” This acted as a second cognomen It was also descriptive: May have been given after a certain achievement by senatorial decree Gaius Iulius Caesar Octavianus – 8 th person to be adopted Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus – Served in the military in Africa

On occasion (but rarely) a person could have more than one agnomen. – Gaius Iulius Caesar Octavianus Augustus Augustus: The honored one

Girl Names Women had only two names: NomenCognomen

Nomen (Females) First of two names Dad’s nomen was put in the Feminine form. Example: – If the girl’s father’s nomen was “Claudius”, she would be named “Claudia”

Cognomen (Females) Second of two names Husband’s nomen in the feminine form. Example: – If Claudia got married to “Iulius” she would be named “Claudia Iulia”

Exceptions What if there are two girls born to the same family? Three girls would all share the same nomen, however their cognomens would differ. – Polla Prima – Polla Secunda – Polla Tertia

Dies Lustricus Girls were named on the 8 th day Boys were named on the 9 th day Guests, refreshments, gifts, wreath BULLA

Relief of a Roman boy wearing a bulla ki/File:Roman_boy_wearin g_bulla.jpg

BULLA Bulla picturing Daedalus and Icarus ile:Etruscan_- _Bulla_with_Daedalus_and_Ic arus_-_Walters_57371_- _Side_A.jpg