Roman Naming Conventions: Praenomen, Nomen, Cognomen & More

What are the three components of a Roman male name?

Praenomen, Nomen, Cognomen.

What is a Praenomen in Roman naming?

A personal name that distinguishes one man in a family from another.

What is a Nomen in Roman naming?

The family name or clan name.

What is a Cognomen in Roman naming?

A name that distinguishes individuals within a family, often personal or descriptive.

What is an Agnomen?

A name given based on accomplishments or nicknames due to attributes.

Provide an example of an Agnomen.

Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus.

How did adoption affect Roman names?

The adopted individual took the name of their adoptive father and added an -anus ending to their original nomen.

What was Gaius Octavius Thurinus's adopted name?

Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus.

How did aristocratic women in Rome derive their names?

They took their father's nomen and feminized it, adding the possessive form of their husband's name.

What is the name of the daughter of Publius Clodius Pulcher?

Clodia.

How do Romans distinguish between daughters with the same name?

Using maior and minor for elder and younger, or prima, secunda, tertia, etc.

What naming convention did freedmen follow?

Freedmen retained their master's praenomen and nomen, often with a name reflecting their former status.

What is an example of a freedman's name?

Publius Terentius Afer, indicating he was formerly a slave of Publius Terentius Lucanus.

What is the significance of the name 'Barbatus'?

It is an example of an agnomen, meaning 'bearded'.

What is the role of the praenomen in Roman naming?

It serves as the personal name at the front of the full name.

How can you create a Latin name based on Roman conventions?

Choose a praenomen, add an agnomen, or take a famous Roman's name and append your own.

What does the name 'Clodia Metelli' signify?

Clodia, daughter of Publius Clodius Pulcher, and wife of Quintus Caecilius Metellus Celer.

What does the term 'virtute' refer to in the context of Agnomina?

It refers to accomplishments that may lead to receiving an agnomen.

What does the possessive form in women's names indicate?

It indicates their marital relationship to their husband.

What does 'Afer' signify in the context of a freedman's name?

It indicates the freedman was originally a slave, often referring to his origin or characteristic.

What is the significance of the phrase 'Gaius Tiberius Gracchus Atwood'?

It is an example of a modern name constructed by adding a famous Roman's name to a personal name.