There does not seem any clear proof that the surnames which the
Hellenistic kings in Asia and Egypt bore were necessarily connected
with the cult, even if they were used to describe the various kings in
religious ceremonies. Some had doubtless a religious colour, _Theos,
Epiphanes, Soter_; others a dynastic, _Phitopator, Philometor,
Philadelphus_. Under what circumstances, and by whose selection, the
surname was attached to a king, is obscure. It is noteworthy that
while modern books commonly speak of the surnames as _assumed_, the
explanations given by our ancient authorities almost invariably
suppose them to be given as marks of homage or gratitude (_English
Historical Review_, xvi. 629 (1901). The official surnames must not,
of course, be confused with the popular nicknames which were naturally
not recognized by the court, e.g. _Ceraunus_ ("Thunder"), _Hierax_
("Hawk"), _Physcon_ ("Pot-belly"), _Lathyrus_ ("Chick-pea").