Cognomen

Cognomen is a term used in Ancient Rome to refer to the third name of a citizen, which was part of the traditional Roman naming conventions. The cognomen was originally a nickname, but it eventually became hereditary and was used to distinguish different branches of a gens (clan).

History

In the early Roman Republic, Roman citizens typically had two names: the praenomen (personal name) and the nomen (clan name). As the population grew and the number of citizens with the same praenomen and nomen increased, the cognomen was introduced to provide additional distinction. Over time, the cognomen became an integral part of the Roman naming system.

Structure

A full Roman name, or tria nomina, consisted of three parts:

• Praenomen: The personal name given at birth.
• Nomen: The name of the gens or clan.
• Cognomen: Initially a nickname, later a hereditary family name.

For example, in the name Gaius Julius Caesar, "Gaius" is the praenomen, "Julius" is the nomen, and "Caesar" is the cognomen.

Types of Cognomina

Cognomina could be descriptive, referring to physical characteristics, personality traits, or notable achievements. Some common types include:

• Descriptive Cognomina: Based on physical traits (e.g., Cicero, meaning "chickpea" due to a wart resembling a chickpea).
• Honorific Cognomina: Awarded for military or political achievements (e.g., Africanus, given to Scipio Africanus for his victories in Africa).
• Adoptive Cognomina: Used when a person was adopted into another family, often combining elements of both families' names.

Decline and Legacy

The use of cognomina declined during the Late Roman Empire as the naming conventions evolved. However, the concept of a family name persisted and influenced the development of surnames in many modern cultures.

Related Pages

• Ancient Rome
• Roman naming conventions
• Praenomen
• Nomen
• Gens
• Tria nomina
• Scipio Africanus
• Gaius Julius Caesar