Topic: Roman Praenomina

[Strategy]

This is a question from the old message board that never got answered. Will post it here again, just in case...

As some of you may know, each Roman noble family had a certain stock of praenomina which they exclusively used. This is often used by some researchers to find out whether some Roman mentioned in the sources was actually a member of the noble line, or just some poor cousin. Thus, for example, the Scipio Cornelii used the names Publius, Gnaeus, and Lucius, but not e.g., Mamercus (at least as far as I know).

These sort of details will of course be implemented into the game's database (since it's rather easy to do). However, there are a couple of families where there is only seems to be one praenomen available. Could those of you with some knowledge in this area, let me know if any additional, attested Praenomens are known for the following families, and in that case, what they are?

Fabius Maximus - the only name I've seen recorded prior to 25 BC, is Quintus.

Marius - Gaius Marius and his son being the only known characters of the lineage. Are any others known?

[Philj]

Not sure about the authenticity of this (it is from the web)
[Start quote]
Q. FABIVS L. f. Q. n. MAXIMVS

This represents Quintus Fabius Maximus. The "L. f." stands for Lucii filius, meaning "Lucius' son," and the "Q. n." stands for Quintii nepos, meaning "Quintus' grandson." Thus, the entry is "Quintus Fabius Maximus, Lucius Fabius's son, Quintus Fabius's grandson." We can guess that his father and grandfather held the cognomen Maximus,

[end quote]

from J Shelter (U Texas?) site
http://www.ghg.net/shetler/rome/...

Stop me if I'm going over ground that you have covered.

[Piteas]

The Fabii Maximi praenomina:

Marcus (the first in texts of IV b.C.) and Quintus. But all the Fabii Maximi in III and II b.c. were "Quintus".


The Cornelii Scipiones praenomina:

Publius, Lucius and Cnaeus


The Claudii Pulchri praenomina:

Publius, Appius and Caius


The Claudii Marcelii praenomina:

Marcus and Caius


The Caecilii Metelli praenomina:

Lucius, Quintus and Marcus.


The Sempronii Gracchi praenomina:

Tiberius, Publius and Caius


The Cornelii Lentuli praenomina:

Lucius, Cnaeus and Publius


The Cornelii Sullae praenomina:

Publius and Servius


The Iulii Caesari praenomina:

Lucius, Sextus and Caius


The Licinii Crassi praenomina:

Publius, Caius and Caius


The Pompeii Strabo (and Magni)

Quintus, Sextus and Cnaeus


If necessary, I can say you the civil post and the year of each family member.    


Any question?


Alejandro Carneiro, spanish historian and fan of the ancient strategy games.

[Piteas]

In II b.c. and I b.c. always were "Caius". Before itīs unknow.

Alejandro Carneiro

[Strategy]

Nope, with the Fabii Maximus handled, the only problem family left is the Marius family - but I think they will probably be removed from the game entirely as a family and just be left in as a historical character event instead.

[Catiline]

There was of course Marcus Marius Gratidianus, who was C. Marius' nephew twice over, adopted by C. Marius brother he was the son of their sister. Killed off by one Lucius Sergius Catilina during the proscriptions of Sulla... Don't know if that helps it implies the use of Marcus as a family praenomina

[Strategy]

Well, it certainly sounds as if it could be used as a name for Marius clan members. Thanks!

[R.H.I]

Since Marius himself was a Novus Homo his lineage is not very elaborate, and the sources (Sallust and Plutarch) place the focus on Marius himself and his deeds, rather than his family, as was the case with the the Scipios etc.

So it would probably be most appropraite to facialite Marius as an independent character.

[Strategy]

I think that is how Marius will probably be handled (i.e., as an independent characters), since his family line also got "eradicated" with his son. A simmilar approach is going to be taken with Gaius Laelius (Scipio's sidekick).

[Porcius]

For praenomens, go to the index of Broughton's "Magistrates of the Roman Republic".

You can find a link here:

http://www.uni-trier.de/sfb600/a2/mrr2ind.pdf

[Strategy]

I think that for Roman names we are pretty well-covered now; I have about 40 clans specified, and we certainly don't need than that.

There is a lack of female names, though - which I fear will be a general problem in the game (though the Greeks are fairly well covered).

[Porcius]

Female names in Rome were scarce because they were just the family nomen. So you get three or four Servilias or Agrippinas running around with little to distinguish them. This is a weakness of the language, much commented on by scholars.

In his novels, Robert Graves would add a dimunitive to a younger daughter. Julilla = Julia the Younger. This may be your best bet.

[Sophikrates]

Marcus Marius Gratidianus was born Marcus Gratidius.  We just don't know of enough Marii to know what other praenominae they used.  They died out almost as soon as they 'arrived'.

Yes, the women were simply given the nomen of the gens, (feminine version) as their names; but they were distinguished by (for lack of a better term) cognomenae.  One Claudius Pulcher had six daughters:  Claudia Major, Claudia Minor, Claudia Tertia, Claudia Quadrilla, Claudia Quintilla, and Claudia Sextila.  Marcus Antonius' daughters were Antonia Major and Antonia Minor.  Octavius' sisters were Octavia Major and Octavia Minor.  His aunt and mother were Atia Major and Atia Minor, etc., etc., etc.

[Strategy]

Thanks for the info. I will probably try to follow the naming scheme you mention above (although I hadn't worked it out so far, so thanks) for the Roman ladies.