Expertlatin
- What are ancient Roman suffixes?
- Did ancient Romans have surnames?
- Did Romans have multiple names?
- How many Roman names were there?
What are ancient Roman suffixes?
Originally, most names were formed based on the clan or gens name and adding such suffixes as -ius, -eius, -aius, -aeus, -eus, or -us. Some examples of aristocratic nomen are: Julius, Domitius, Petreius, Lucceius, Calvinus, and Sacerdus. Other nomina used indicated a gens or clan of non-Latin origin.
Did ancient Romans have surnames?
The names of Roman citizens originally had a basic format very similar to that of modern English names, as in Gaius Marius, having first a personal name and then the family name. However, as time passed, some additional features were added to the end to show wider family relationship and origin.
Did Romans have multiple names?
Roman Names
At least two names were necessary for Roman men, the praenomen (first name, given name) and nomen (principal name, gens name). The nomen usually ended in -ius. Many had a third name, the cognomen (additional name, nickname; often denoted a branch of a family).
How many Roman names were there?
About three dozen Latin praenomina were in use at the beginning of the Republic, although only about eighteen were common. This number fell gradually, until by the first century AD, about a dozen praenomina remained in widespread use, with a handful of others used by particular families.
