Roman Naming Practices.

[Doug Strong]

Hi Doug,

Fine choise for a Roman name. But here are some clarifications.

Fortus should be Fortis, that's the correct word for strong. Fortis is a well known cognomen and very suitable for a soldier.

Cornelia is a Roman tribus and a sure sign that you are a Roman citizen. Since you want to reenact 1st century AD you would be joining the legions rather than the auxiliaries (non-citizen troops, although some citizens joined auxilia, but that's more a trend from the 2nd century AD onwards).

Names were usually abreviated.

Titus Fabricius Fortus Cornelia will become T. Fabricius Cor. Fortis.
You might want to add an patronymicon like Caii filius (abbreviated: Cf)

Then you get: T Fabricius Cf Cor Fortis

usually only your praenomen, gentilicium and cognomen is used.

Hans

So if understand correctly, it should be T Fabricius Cor Fortis which would woudl be appropriate for a Roman serving in the legions in the first century.

Is this a very time specific name? Would it work a century eariler or later?

I am also confused a bit about patronimics. Assuming a I am the first son might my father be named T Fabricius Cor Fortis and would my borthers then be Q Fabricius Cor Fortis, P Fabricius Cor Fortis and M Fabricius Cor Fortis?

This is a very humbling experience for me. I am used to being the answer guy for all things 14th century. I am really out of my depth.