_Gentes and Familiae; Names of the Romans, &c._
The Romans were divided into various clans, (gentes,) and each clan into
several families. Those of the same gens were called gentiles, and those
of the same family, agnati. But relations by the father's side were also
called agnati, to distinguish them from cognati, relations only by the
mother's side.
The Romans had three names, to mark the different clans and families,
and distinguish the individuals of the same family--the praenomen, nomen
and cognomen.
The praenomen was put first, and marked the individual. It was commonly
written with one letter; as A. for Aulus: C. for Caius--sometimes with
two; as Ap. for Appius.
The nomen was put after the praenomen, to mark the gens, and commonly
ended in ius; as Cornelius, Fabius. The cognomen was put last, and
marked the family; as Cicero, Caesar.
Sometimes there was also a fourth name, called the agnomen, added from
some illustrious action, or remarkable event. Thus, Scipio was called
Africanus, from the conquest of Carthage and Africa: for a similar
reason, his brother was called Asiaticus.
These names were not always used; commonly two, and sometimes only the
sirname. But in speaking to any one, the praenomen was generally used as
being peculiar to citizens, for slaves had no praenomen.
The sirnames were derived from various circumstances, either from some
quality of the mind; as Cato, from catus, wise: or from the habit of the
body; as Calvus, Crassus, &c.: or from cultivating particular fruits; as
Lentulus, Piso, &c. Quintus Cincinnatus was called Serranus, because the
ambassadors from the senate found him sowing, when they brought him word
that he was made dictator.
The praenomen was given to boys on the ninth day, which was called _dies
lustr{)i}cus_, or the day of purification, when certain religious
ceremonies were performed. The eldest son of the family usually received
the praenomen of his father. The rest were named from their uncles or
other relations.
When there was only one daughter in the family, she was called by the
name of the gens: thus, Tullia, the daughter of Cicero; and retained the
same after marriage. When there were two daughters, one was called
major, and the other minor. If there were more than two, they were
distinguished by their number; thus--prima, secunda, tertia, &c.
Those were called _liberi_, free, who had the power of doing what they
pleased. Those who were born of parents who had been always free, were
called _ingenui_. Slaves made free were called _liberti_, in relation to
their masters; and _libertini_, in relation to free born citizens.