Roman Names Notes 1 Mens Names Roman men

Men’s Names Roman men who were citizens NORMALLY had 3 names. Each part of

Praenomen • This was the first of the three names • There were only

Praenomen • Some praenomens would correspond with numbers such as: – Quintus: “Fifth” –

Nomen • This was the second of the three names • It designated the

Social Classes • There were two primary social classes in ancient Rome. They were:

Nomen • We get some modern day names from the nomen of Romans. Here

Cognomen • This was the third of three names. • Often this was a

Agnomen • Sometimes a Roman would have a fourth name called an “Agnomen” •

• On occasion (but rarely) a person could have more than one agnomen.

Girl Names • Women had only two names: Nomen Cognomen

Nomen (Females) • First of two names • Dad’s nomen was put in the

Cognomen (Females) • Second of two names • Husband’s nomen in the feminine form.

Exceptions • What if there are two girls born to the same family? •

Dies Lustricus • Girls were named on the 8 th day • Boys were

BULLA Relief of a Roman boy wearing a bulla http: //en. wikipedia. org/wi ki/File:

BULLA Bulla picturing Daedalus and Icarus http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/ File: Etruscan__Bulla_with_Daedalus_and_Ic arus_-_Walters_57371__Side_A. jpg

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Roman Names Notes #1

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

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: Nomen Cognomen

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

BULLA Relief of a Roman boy wearing a bulla http: //en. wikipedia. org/wi ki/File: Roman_boy_wearin g_bulla. jpg

BULLA Bulla picturing Daedalus and Icarus http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/ File: Etruscan__Bulla_with_Daedalus_and_Ic arus_-_Walters_57371__Side_A. jpg