Choosing a Roman name
Home| Latíné | Deutsch | Español | Français | Italiano | Magyar | Português | Română | Русский | English
The system of Roman names was unique and distinctive in the ancient world. When a foreigner became a Roman citizen he took a new Roman name as a mark of citizenship. In Nova Roma, too, we ask that you choose a Roman name when you become a citizen.
The name you choose is the name you will be known by in Nova Roma, so choose carefully and seriously. These pages contain information to help you. If, after reading this, you have any more questions, please contact the Censores.
Contents
|
Tria Nomina
Most Romans have three names (tria nomina):
- a praenomen (plural praenomina),
- a nomen (plural nomina), and
- a cognomen (plural cognomina).
A few have no cognomen; a few others have more than one cognomen.
Praenomen
Your praenomen is a personal name which distinguishes you from other members of your family. You will not normally be called by your praenomen on its own: normally only close relatives or very close friends call each other by their praenomen alone. (See below under "Usage" for more information on how names are used in conversation.)
There are only a small number of praenomina in ordinary use. These are used by the vast majority of Novi Romani, as they were by the vast majority of ancient Romans.
There are also some rarer praenomina, most of them very old ones. If you have some good reason to want a rare praenomen, you may be allowed to have one, but such requests are very rarely granted and must be personally authorized by the Censor. We strongly recommend that you choose one of the standard ones.
Abbreviations
Note that each of the common praenomina, and some of the rare ones, has a standard abbreviation. Each abbreviation is unique to that praenomen: you cannot abbreviate a praenomen simply by using its first letter. For example, T. always means Titus, never Tiberius; Ti. always means Tiberius, never Titus.
Most of the time praenomina are abbreviated rather than written out in full, so you will normally see M. Tullius Cicero rather than Marcus Tullius Cicero.
Inheritance
Many gentes and families use only a handful of praenomina. The first child of a marriage is almost always given the same praenomen as the father; the second child will be given a different praenomen, perhaps the same one as an uncle or grandfather, for example.
Thus the elder son of P. Cornelius Scipio was named P. Cornelius Scipio (Africanus); his younger son was named L. Cornelius Scipio (Asiagenus) after his grandfather.
When choosing a Roman name you are advised to try to find out whether any such traditions are followed within the gens and family you wish to join. This can be done, for example, by contacting existing members and by looking at information about gentes on this website.
List of Standard Praenomina
These are the standard praenomina, from most common to least common.
List of Standard Praenomina
These are the standard praenomina,
from most common to least common.
Abbreviation | Male Form |
Female Form |
C. | Gaius | Gaia |
L. | Lucius | Lucia |
M. | Marcus | Marca |
P. | Publius | Publia |
Q. | Quintus | Quinta |
T. | Titus | Tita |
Ti. | Tiberius | Tiberia |
Sex. | Sextus | Sexta |
A. | Aulus | Aula |
D. | Decimus | Decima |
Cn. | Gnaeus | Gnaea |
Sp. | Spurius | Spuria |
M'. | Manius | Mania |
Ser. | Servius | Servia |
Ap. | Appius | Appia |
N. | Numerius | Numeria |
Nomen
Your nomen indicates which gens you belong to. A gens is a loose collection of families sharing the same nomen. In ancient times a new citizen would almost always join an existing gens, and similarly in Nova Roma we ask you to choose a nomen from a closed list.
Inheritance
A Roman always takes the nomen of his father.
List of Nomina
The nomina are listed in their male forms. To make the female form, just replace the ending "-us" with "-a".
Some ancient Roman nomina which are not listed here may also be acceptable. If you want to use a nomen which is not on this list, the Censores will consider your request.
To see the members of a gens, or other details of a gens, see the Album Gentium.
Cognomen
Your cognomen is a family name which would be shared by your blood relatives. Cognomina often refer to a person's appearance or other characteristics, but they do not have to. It is quite common to have a cognomen referring to a place of birth, a job, or some other thing which distinguished the person (usually an ancestor) who first bore that cognomen.
Almost everyone has a cognomen, and it is difficult to distinguish different families within a gens unless cognomina are used. However, strictly speaking, cognomina are not compulsory. If you don't choose one when you first apply for citizenship, you will still be able to add one later.
To help you choose a cognomen, there is a list of ancient Roman cognomina below. But this is not a complete list - the Romans often created new cognomina, and if you want to have one which is not on the list we will be happy to discuss this with you.
The Characteristics of Cognomina
Ancient republican cognomina had certain general characteristics. A person was not given his cognomen by his parents and did not choose it for himself: he either inherited it from his parents or was given it by general consensus within the community. In this sense a cognomen was like a nickname. For this reason, they were usually objective rather than subjective, concrete rather than abstract, and neutral or insulting rather than complimentary.
These characteristics are preserved in Nova Roma. It is important to understand that a cognomen is not a way for you to express your innermost thoughts or aspirations, or to boast about your wonderful qualities. It is just a name.
Inheritance
A Roman almost always takes his father's cognomen, especially if his father himself inherited the name from his father. Cases in which a cognomen may not be passed down from father to son are those where the cognomen is particularly closely associated with the father and would not be relevant to the son.
Agnomina are not usually inherited. Adoptive cognomina and matronymic cognomina are never inherited.
Ancient Republican Cognomina
A cognomen used in the ancient republic will normally be acceptable so long as it complies with the general characteristics noted above. Here is a list of some ancient republican cognomina with their meanings. Some cognomina were used especially by certain gentes: these are noted in the list, but they may also be used by members of other gentes.
Male Form | Female Form | Status | Meaning | Used especially by |
Aculeo | Aculeo | Prickly, unfriendly | ||
Agricola | Agricola | OVERUSED | Farmer | |
Agrippa | Agrippa | OVERUSED | Born feet first | Gens Menenia |
Ahala | Ahala | Armpit | Gens Servilia | |
Ahenobarbus | Ahenobarba | With a red beard | Gens Domitia | |
Albinus | Albina | Pale, white | Gens Postumia | |
Albus | Alba | White or fair-skinned | Gens Postumia | |
Ambustus | Ambusta | SUGGESTED | Burnt, scalded | Gens Fabia |
Annalis | Annalis | Relating to years | Gens Villia | |
Aquila | Aquila | OVERUSED | Eagle | |
Aquilinus | Aquilina | OVERUSED | Eagle-like | |
Arvina | Arvina | Fat, lard | Gens Cornelia | |
Asellio | Asellio | Keeper of donkeys | Gens Sempronia | |
Asina | Asina | Female donkey | Gens Cornelia | |
Atellus | Atella | Dark-haired or dark skinned | ||
Avitus | Avita | Grandfatherly | ||
Balbus | Balba | SUGGESTED | Stutterer | Gentes Acilia, Cornelia, Lucilia, Naevia, Octavia |
Barba | Barba | A beard | ||
Barbatus | Barbata | OVERUSED | Bearded | Gentes Cornelia, Horatia, Quinctia |
Bassus | Bassa | Plump | ||
Bestia | Bestia | Like an animal | Gens Calpurnia | |
Bibaculus | Bibacula | SUGGESTED | Drunkard | Gentes Furia, Sextia |
Bibulus | Bibula | SUGGESTED | Drunkard | Gentes Calpurnia, Publicia |
Blaesus | Blaesa | SUGGESTED | Someone who mispronounces words, slurs his speech, stammers, or lisps | Gens Sempronia |
Brocchus | Broccha | SUGGESTED | Toothy | |
Brutus | Bruta | Stupid, dull-witted | Gens Iunia | |
Bubulcus | Bubulca | SUGGESTED | Cattle-driver | Gens Iunia |
Bucco | Bucco | SUGGESTED | Fool, dolt | |
Bulbus | Bulba | SUGGESTED | Bulb, onion | Gens Atilia |
Buteo | Buteo | Buzzard | Gens Fabia | |
Caecus | Caeca | Blind | Gens Claudia | |
Caepio | Caepio | Onion-seller | Gens Servilia | |
Caesar | Caesar | DISCOURAGED | From archaic praenomen Caesar, perhaps meaning "hairy" | Gens Iulia |
Calidus | Calida | Hot-headed, rash | Gens Coelia | |
Calvinus | Calvina | From cognomen Calvus | Gentes Domitia, Veturia | |
Calvus | Calva | SUGGESTED | Bald | |
Camillus | Camilla | A child who helps during sacrifices | Gens Furia | |
Caninus | Canina | OVERUSED | Dog-like | Gens Acilia |
Canus | Cana | Golden-haired or grey-haired | ||
Capito | Capito | SUGGESTED | Big-headed | Gens Ateia |
Carbo | Carbo | Charcoal | Gens Papirii | |
Catilina | Catilina | Gens Sergia | ||
Cato | Cato | DISCOURAGED | Shrewd, prudent | Gentes Hostilia, Porcia |
Catulus | Catula | Puppy, whelp | Gens Lutatia | |
Celer | Celeris | Quick | ||
Celsus | Celsa | Tall | Gens Papia | |
Cethegus | Cethega | Gens Cornelia | ||
Cicero | Cicero | DISCOURAGED | Chick pea | Gens Tullia |
Cicurinus | Cicurina | Mild, gentle | Gens Veturia | |
Cilo | Cilo | SUGGESTED | Large forehead or large lips | Gens Flaminia |
Cincinnatus | Cincinnata | Curly-haired | Gens Quinctia | |
Cinna | Cinna | Gens Cornelia | ||
Cordus | Corda | Born late | ||
Cornicen | Cornicen | Military bugler | ||
Cornutus | Cornuta | Horned | Gens Caecilia, Sulpicia | |
Corvinus | Corvina | Crow-like | Gens Valeria | |
Corvus | Corva | OVERUSED | Crow | Gens Valeria |
Cossus | Cossa | From archaic praenomen Cossus | Gens Cornelia | |
Costa | Costa | A rib | Gens Pedania | |
Cotta | Cotta | Gens Aurelia | ||
Crassipes | Crassipes | SUGGESTED | Club-footed | Gens Furia |
Crassus | Crassa | OVERUSED | Fat | Gentes Claudia, Licinia, Otacilia, Veturia |
Crispinus | Crispina | Curly-haired | ||
Crispus | Crispa | Curly-haired | Gentes Sallustia, Vibia | |
Culleo | Culleo | SUGGESTED | Leather sack for carrying liquid | Gens Terentia |
Curio | Curio | SUGGESTED | Priest of a Curia | Gens Scribonia |
Cursor | Cursor | Runner, courier | Gens Papiria | |
Curvus | Curva | Stooping, bent | Gens Fulvia | |
Dentatus | Dentata | SUGGESTED | Toothy | |
Denter | Dentra | SUGGESTED | Toothy | Gens Caecilia |
Dento | Dento | SUGGESTED | Toothy | |
Dives | Dives | Rich, wealthy | Gens Licinia | |
Dolabella | Dolabella | Hatchet | Gens Cornelia | |
Dorsuo | Dorsuo | SUGGESTED | Large back | Gens Fabia |
Drusus | Drusa | Gens Livia | ||
Figulus | Figula | SUGGESTED | Potter | |
Fimbria | Fimbria | Edge of clothing, fringes | Gens Flavia | |
Flaccus | Flacca | SUGGESTED | Floppy ears | Gentes Aviania, Fulvia, Valeria |
Flavus | Flava | Blonde-haired | Gens Decimia | |
Florus | Flora | Light-coloured or blooming | Gens Aquilia | |
Fronto | Fronto | SUGGESTED | Prominent forehead | |
Fullo | Fullo | SUGGESTED | A fuller or launderer | Gens Apustia |
Fusus | Fusa | From archaic praenomen Fusus | Gens Furia | |
Galeo | Galeo | Helmet | ||
Gemellus | Gemella | A twin | Gentes Servilia, Veturia | |
Glabrio | Glabrio | A relative of Glaber | Gens Acilia | |
Gracchus | Graccha | Gens Sempronia | ||
Gurges | Gurges | Greedy, prodigal | Gens Fabia | |
Habitus | Habita | In good physical condition | Gens Cluentia | |
Helva | Helva | SUGGESTED | Dun-colored hair | Gens Aebutia |
Imperiosus | Imperiosa | DISCOURAGED | Domineering, dictatorial | Gens Manlia |
Iullus | Iulla | From archaic praenomen Iullus | Gens Iulia | |
Labeo | Labeo | Prominent lips | Gentes Antistia, Atinia, Fabia | |
Lactuca | Lactuca | Lettuce | Gens Valeria | |
Laenas | Laenas | A woolly cloak | Gens Popillia | |
Lanatus | Lanata | Wearing wool | Gens Menenia | |
Laevinus | Laevina | |||
Laterensis | Laterensis | Person from the hill-side | Gens Iuventia | |
Lentulus | Lentula | A bit slow | Gens Cornelia | |
Lepidus | Lepida | OVERUSED | Charming, amusing | Gens Aemilia |
Libo | Libo | SUGGESTED | Gens Marcia, Scribonia | |
Licinus | Licina | SUGGESTED | Spiky- or bristly-haired | Gens Mamilia |
Longus | Longa | SUGGESTED | Tall | Gentes Sempronia, Sulpicia |
Lucullus | Luculla | From lucus (grove) or Lucius (praenomen) | Gens Licinia | |
Lupus | Lupa | OVERUSED | Wolf | Gens Rutilia |
Lurco | Lurco | SUGGESTED | Gluttonous, greedy | |
Macer | Macra | SUGGESTED | Thin | Gens Licinia |
Macula | Macula | SUGGESTED | A spot or blemish | |
Malleolus | Malleola | Hammer | Gens Publicia | |
Mamercus | Mamerca | From rare praenomen Mamercus | Gens Aemilia | |
Marcellus | Marcella | OVERUSED | From praenomen Marcus | Gens Claudia |
Maro | Maro | SUGGESTED | Gens Vergilia | |
Merenda | Merenda | SUGGESTED | Light afternoon meal | Gentes Antonia, Cornelia |
Mergus | Merga | SUGGESTED | Sea-gull | |
Merula | Merula | Blackbird | Gens Cornelia | |
Messalla | Messalla | Gens Valeria | ||
Metellus | Metella | OVERUSED | Army follower | Gens Caecilia |
Murena | Murena | Eel | Gens Licinia | |
Mus | Mus | SUGGESTED | Mouse or rat | Gens Decia |
Musca | Musca | SUGGESTED | Fly | Gens Sempronia |
Nasica | Nasica | Big-nosed | Gens Sempronia | |
Naso | Naso | SUGGESTED | Big-nosed | Gens Ovidia |
Natta | Natta | SUGGESTED | An artisan | Gens Pinaria |
Nepos | Nepos | Grandchild | Gens Caecilia | |
Nero | Nero | From rare praenomen Nero ("strong") | Gens Claudia | |
Nerva | Nerva | Vigorous | Gens Cocceia, Licinia | |
Niger | Nigra | SUGGESTED | Black-skinned or black-haired | |
Novellus | Novella | New, new-fangled | Gens Gavilia | |
Ocella | Ocella | SUGGESTED | Small-eyed | Gens Livia |
Pacilus | Pacila | SUGGESTED | From archaic praenomen Pacilus | Gens Furia |
Paetus | Paeta | SUGGESTED | Squinty or blinking | Gens Aelia |
Pansa | Pansa | SUGGESTED | Splay-footed | Gens Vibia |
Papus | Papa | SUGGESTED | From rare praenomen Papus | Gens Aemilia |
Paterculus | Patercula | SUGGESTED | Little father | Gens Sulpicia |
Paullus | Paulla | Small | Gens Aemilia | |
Pavo | Pavo | Peacock | ||
Pera | Pera | SUGGESTED | Shoulder-bag | Gens Iunia |
Pictor | Pictrix | Painter | Gens Fabia | |
Piso | Piso | Mortar | Gens Calpurnia | |
Plancus | Planca | Flat-footed | Gens Munatia | |
Plautus | Plauta | SUGGESTED | Flat-footed | |
Poplicola | Poplicola | Friend of the people | Gens Valeria | |
Postumus | Postuma | Born after the father's death | Gens Curtia | |
Potitus | Potita | Probably derived from an archaic praenomen | Gens Valeria | |
Praeconinus | Praeconina | SUGGESTED | A relative of a herald | |
Praetextatus | Praetextata | Young (wearing the toga praetexta) | Gens Sulpicia | |
Priscus | Prisca | Very ancient | ||
Proculus | Procula | From rare praenomen Proculus, perhaps meaning "born during father's absence" | Gens Plautia | |
Publicola | Publicola | Variant of Poplicola | Gens Valeria | |
Pulcher | Pulchra | Attractive | Gens Claudia | |
Pullus | Pulla | SUGGESTED | Child | |
Pulvillus | Pulvilla | SUGGESTED | Small cushion | Gens Horatia |
Purpureo | Purpureo | SUGGESTED | Wearing purple or with a purplish complexion | |
Quadratus | Quadrata | Stocky, squarely built | ||
Ralla | Ralla | SUGGESTED | A tunic of fine fabric | Gens Marcia |
Regillus | Regilla | Prince | Gens Aemilia | |
Regulus | Regula | OVERUSED | Prince | Gens Atilia |
Rufus | Rufa | Reddish, Ginger-haired | ||
Ruga | Ruga | SUGGESTED | Wrinkly | |
Rullus | Rulla | SUGGESTED | Uncultivated, boorish | Gens Servilia |
Rutilus | Rutila | Reddish-gold hair | ||
Salinator | Salinatrix | Salt-harvester | Gens Livia | |
Saturninus | Saturnina | Dedicated to Saturnus | ||
Scaeva | Scaeva | Left-handed | Gens Iunia, Marcia | |
Scaevola | Scaevola | Left-handed | Gens Mucia | |
Scapula | Scapula | SUGGESTED | Shoulder-blade | Gens Quinctia |
Scaurus | Scaura | Lame, swollen-ankled | Gentes Aemilia, Aurelia | |
Scipio | Scipio | DISCOURAGED | Rod, staff | Gens Cornelii |
Scrofa | Scrofa | SUGGESTED | Sow | Gens Tremelia |
Seneca | Seneca | Elderly | Gens Annaea | |
Severus | Severa | OVERUSED | Strict, severe | |
Silanus | Silana | Nose, water-spout | Gens Iunia | |
Silo | Silo | SUGGESTED | Snub-nosed | Gens Sergia |
Silus | Sila | SUGGESTED | Snub-nosed | Gens Sergia |
Stolo | Stolo | SUGGESTED | Shoot of a plant | Gens Licinia |
Strabo | Strabo | Squinty | Gens Titia | |
Structus | Structa | Possibly derived from an archaic praenomen | Gens Servilia | |
Sulla | Sulla | DISCOURAGED | Gens Cornelia | |
Sura | Sura | SUGGESTED | Calf of the leg | |
Taurus | Taura | Bull | ||
Triarius | Triaria | OVERUSED | A type of soldier | Gens Valeria |
Trigeminus | Trigemina | A triplet | Gens Curiatia | |
Trio | Trio | SUGGESTED | One of the seven stars of the Plough / Big Dipper | Gens Lucretia |
Tubero | Tubero | SUGGESTED | Having a tumour or swelling | Gens Aelia, Iulia |
Tubertus | Tuberta | SUGGESTED | Having a tumour or swelling | Gens Postumia |
Tubulus | Tubula | SUGGESTED | Little tube | Gens Hostilia |
Tuditanus | Tuditana | SUGGESTED | Mallet | Gens Sempronia |
Tullus | Tulla | From rare praenomen Tullus | Gens Volcatia | |
Turdus | Turda | SUGGESTED | Thrush | Gens Papiria |
Varro | Varro | Block-head | Gens Terentia | |
Varus | Vara | Bow-legged | Gentes Atilia, Licinia, Quinctilia | |
Vatia | Vatia | Knock-kneed | Gens Servilia | |
Verres | Verres | Pig | Gens Cornelia | |
Vespillo | Vespillo | Person employed to bury people too poor for a funeral | Gens Lucretia | |
Vetus | Vetus | Old | Gens Antistia | |
Vitulus | Vitula | Calf or young cow | Gentes Mamilia, Pomponia | |
Volusus | Volusa | From rare praenomen Volusus | Gens Valeria |
Geographical Cognomina
Some people have cognomina which refer to the place where they come from, whether a city (e.g. Collatinus, "man from Collatia"), a region (e.g. Campanus, "man from Campania"), or a tribe (e.g. Sabinus, "man of the Sabines"). Names referring to whole countries or provinces (e.g. Hispanus, "man from Hispania") are not normally allowed because they are not distinctive enough: if everyone in Hispania were called Hispanus, it would be very confusing! But such names may be appropriate if you live away from your native country (e.g. a citizen from Hispania living in America might be called Hispanus).
These geographical cognomina should be distinguished from honorific cognomina like Germanicus or Britannicus. These names do not refer to a place of origin but to a military achievement. If someone is called Britannicus it does not mean he is from Britain, it means he won a great victory against the Britons. Names like this are not allowed, for obvious reasons.
If you would like to use a geographical cognomen, the Censores will work with you to find an appropriate one.
Occupational Cognomina
Another type of cognomen in ancient times was one which referred to the person's job or occupation (e.g. Pictor, "painter"; Caprarius, "goat-herd"). If you would like to use an occupational cognomen, the Censores will work with you to find an appropriate one.
Latinising your own name
Often when a foreigner became a Roman citizen in ancient times he would keep his old name as a cognomen, adjusting it to make it easier for Latin-speakers to say and giving it a Latin ending. This is also a common option in Nova Roma.
If you choose this option, you can use either your first name or your surname, or both. If you use both, they will be put in reverse order. For example, Robert Grant would take the cognomina Grandis Robertus. This is because in a Roman name the second cognomen is more individual than the first.
If you would like to use a Latin form of your own name, the Censores will work with you to find the appropriate form. Here are the Latin forms of some common names:
The Table of Latinised Names is under revision.
Other Latin Words
Many ordinary Latin nouns and adjectives can be used as cognomina. If there is some particular Latin word you would like to use as a cognomen, or if you would like a cognomen with a particular meaning, the Censores will work with you to find an appropriate name.
Multiple Cognomina
In some cases it may be appropriate to have more than one cognomen. This is normally only allowed where you use a Latinised form of your own name, but may also be appropriate if you are joining a family which contains a large number of people who all have the same nomen and cognomen. If you think you have a good reason to want more than one cognomen, the Censores will discuss it with you.
Special Cognomina
There are several types of cognomen which serve a particular purpose and which are therefore not available for new citizens.
Adoptive Cognomina
When a Roman citizen is adopted by another, he takes the name of his adoptive father, but adds a special cognomen to indicate his former identity. This cognomen is formed from his old nomen, with the -ius ending replaced with an -ianus ending.
For example, when L. Aemilius Paullus was adopted by P. Cornelius Scipio he became P. Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus.
Matronymic Cognomina
In very rare cases a Roman might use an extra cognomen formed from his mother's nomen. The -ia ending was replaced with an -ianus ending or an -inus ending.
For example, M. Porcius Cato had one son by his first wife Licinia, and another son by his second wife Salonia. Each son was called M. Porcius Cato. To tell them apart, people called them M. Porcius Cato Licinianus and M. Porcius Cato Salonianus.
Agnomina
Sometimes very eminent Romans were given honorific cognomina in recognition of their great achievements. These were the exception to the general rule that cognomina were not complimentary. Such honorific cognomina are called agnomina. Obviously a person cannot give himself an agnomen: it is always given by others.
An agnomen may refer to a victory over a particular enemy people (e.g. Britannicus, "victor over the Britons") or in a particular place (e.g. Africanus, "victor in Africa"), a particular virtue (e.g. Pius, "dutiful"; Sapiens, "prudent"), or general preeminence (e.g. Magnus, "great"; Maximus, "very great").
Other Elements
Although the tria nomina are the core of a Roman name, there are times when a Roman might include other elements in his name. These are not really part of his name as such but are additional pieces of information about him and his place in the community.
Filiation
After a person's nomen and before his cognomen a Roman may include the praenomen of his father and, sometimes, his father's father. This is done in the following way:
M. Tullius M. f. M. n. Cicero
This means "Marcus Tullius Marci filius Marci nepos Cicero", or "Marcus Tullius, son of Marcus, grandson of Marcus, Cicero".
Tribe
Citizens
Patricians - Plebeians
The equestrian order
Nobiles - Homines novi
Gens and domus, families
The 19 tribes
The 23 centuries
The 5 classes
Census points
Assidui - Capite censi
Taxes
- There are two types of tribes within Nova Roma: the regular tribes, used for the voting comitia, and the three old ceremonial tribes, used for religious purposes. The first description below is about the voting tribes, and you can learn about the ceremonial tribes in the second section of this article.
Tribes (tribus in Latin both in singular and plural) are the voting blocks of the comitia populi tributa and comitia plebis tributa. Every citizen of Nova Roma is placed into a tribe, determined by taxpayment status. There are a total of 19 tribes. Taxpaying citizens, the assidui, are distributed among the 15 rural tribes have more voting weight, as rural tribes have less citizens in them; therefore, each citizen's individual vote carries a greater weight. Non-paying citizens, the proletarii, are placed in one of the 4 urban tribes where a vote is shared with hundreds of other citizens and thus it has much less weight.
Following Roman traditions and practices, when the tribal assembly of the people of Nova Roma, the comitia populi tributa and comitia plebis tributa are called to vote, each citizen's vote is counted only within one's tribe. The overall result within a single tribe determines the vote of that tribe, and it's the vote of each tribe that is counted when calculating the results of the voting. See Article II.C.3. of the Lex Tullia de comitiis habendis for more information.
The leges that govern the tribal framework were implemented to make the social order of Nova Roma as Roman as possible under our modern circumstances, returning to the best and most classical practices of our ancestors, and regulating the centuries and tribes of the Nova Roman people in a manner that is most practical and most traditional at the same time. See the lex Arria Tullia de classibus et centuriis et de tribubus novis for detailed information. Upon obtaining citizenship or due to a change in tax-paying (assiduus) status, censors allocate citizens to either one of a small number of "urban" tribes or to one of the many "rural" tribes.
Urban tribes: The four urban tribes, are reserved for all non-paying (proletarius or capite census) citizens. These four tribes will contain the masses of inactive or disappeared citizens. They are named:
- I. Suburana
- II. Palatina
- III. Esquilina
- IV. Collina
Rural tribes: There are fifteen rural tribes of Nova Roma which are based on the 15 oldest Roman rural tribes. All tax-payer (assiduus) citizens are distributed among them.
- V. Romilia
- VI. Voltinia
- VII. Voturia
- VIII. Aemilia
- IX. Horatia
- X. Lemonia
- XI. Papiria
- XII. Pupinia
- XIII. Menenia
- XIV. Cornelia
- XV. Camilia
- XVI. Fabia
- XVII. Pollia
- XVIII. Sergia
- XIX. Galeria
Tribal officers
Each tribe shall have a varying number of officers, some automatic and others by election.
- Tribunus Aerarius: One or more tribuni aerarii may exist, which is an office automatically given to all citizens within the tribe who bear the rank of tribunus aerarius equestris.
- The duty of the tribuni aerarii is to encourage citizens to pay their Nova Roman taxes and potentially to help those who cannot pay by donating to them or finding another donor who would help them. Donating or finding a donor is not a mandatory duty, but only an encouraged activity. The term of the office of a tribunus aerarius depends on the maintenance of their status as tribunus aerarius equestris. The census points given to the tribuni aerarii for the status as tribuni aerarii equestres shall be the reward for their work.
- Curator Tribus: There is one curator tribus who is elected by a vote of the allocated equites and the tribuni aerarii of the tribe, from among the equites and tribuni aerarii equestres of the tribe.
- The duty of the curator tribus is to direct, review, encourage, support, and in case of need, to substitute, the work of the tribuni aerarii, and to help the citizens within the tribe who need representation or help getting in touch with the officials of the republic. The term of office of the curatores tribuum is not limited to time, but their work is monitored and reviewed by the three tribuni of the old tribes. The curatores lose their position if they lose their equestrian, treasury tribune equestrian, or their assiduus status. The curatores tribuum are awarded service points under III.A.7.f of the Lex Arria de censu civium aestimando, “officers of recognized corporations”, falling in the “president” category, receiving 6 CP, but they shall not receive Past Service Points for more than one year, and these Past Service Points shall be given only if they no longer hold the office.
The Old Ceremonial Tribes
All Nova Roma citizens will also be allocated to one of three special ceremonial tribes. The censores shall distribute all citizens by gentes into the three original tribes of the Roman people. All members of the same Nova Roman gens shall belong to one tribe.
Within each ceremonial tribus, the censores shall divide the gentes into ten curiae; all members of the same gens within one ceremonial tribe gens shall belong to the same curia. Each curiae shall celebrate the sacra of the curia together and the primary role of all curiae shall be the fostering of community and helping the social practice of the religio Romana and the cultus of the Roman gods. See the Lex Arria de veteribus tribubus et curiis for more information.
- "CURIAE" FORUM OF NOVA ROMA (COMMUNITY OF CEREMONIAL TRIBES): https://discord.gg/KNbcKBqgbt.
The ceremonial tribes are:
- I. Ramnes: All citizens with a gentes of Latin origin are allocated to the Ramnes tribe, or those gentes which were established in the first year of Nova Roma.
- The tribe contains the following curiae:
- I. Foriensis,
- II. Veliensis,
- III. Velitia,
- IV. Palatina,
- V. Cermalensis,
- VI. Caelia,
- VII. Cispia,
- VIII. Oppia,
- IX. Martia,
- X. Volturna.
- II. Tities: All citizens with a gentes of Sabine origin are allocated to the Tities tribe, or those gentes which were established until the Completion of the Founding of Nova Roma.
- The tribe contains the following curiae:
- I. Titia,
- II. Faucia,
- III. Acculeia,
- IV. Hersilia,
- V. Quinctia,
- VI. Fabia,
- VII. Septima,
- VIII. Octava,
- IX. Nona,
- X. Decima.
- III. Luceres: All citizens with a gentes of Etruscan origin are allocated to the Luceres tribe, or those gentes of the third decade or later.
- The tribe contains the following curiae:
- I. Rapta,
- II. Tifata,
- III. Semuria,
- IV. Solonia,
- V. Taracia,
- VI. Lateria,
- VII. Latia,
- VIII. Gabina,
- IX. Crustumina,
- X. Querquetulana.
Ceremonial tribal officers
The officers of these old ceremonial tribes and curiae shall be responsible to motivate, assist and aid the cultic practice of the individual citizens and gentes belonging to them. They shall organize programs and celebrations to engage the citizens within the curia and to celebrate Romanitas, the sacra privata and sacra publica of Nova Roma.
- See the Album of the Ceremonial Tribal Officers for the current tribal officer appointments.
Only a member of the curia can be an officer of the curia, and each officer shall hold only one office, but the Collegium Pontificum may allow for individuals to hold two or all three offices of the curia if there are no candidates for the office. The officers include:
- Curio: The Curio is the head of an individual curia. Curiones are forbidden to hold a magistracy or governorship, because their primary focus within Nova Roma should be nothing else than the promotion of the social and religious community life of the curiales (members of the curia) in their curiae (exemptions can be granted). The curio and the flamen curialis, jointly, may nominate candidates for a lictor curiatus from among the members of the curia to the Collegium Pontificum for appointment whom the Collegium Pontificum shall appoint or refuse based on the evaluation of the candidate. The tenure of this office is not limited to time, but the Collegium Pontificum may remove someone from office if their performance or behavior is deemed unsatisfactory. Service points are awarded under III.A.7.f of the Lex Arria de censu civium aestimando, “officers of recognized corporations”, falling in the “president” category, receiving 6 CP, but they shall not receive Past Service Points for more than one year, and these Past Service Points shall be given only if they no longer hold the office.
- Tribunus: The tribunus is the chief of a whole tribe. They are elected from any of the ten curiones of the tribe. The three tribuni of the old tribes are responsible to monitor and review the work of the curiones within their respective tribes, and, by a majority decision, the tribuni are empowered to remove any individual curio (except the curio maximus) from office if they find his or her work or behavior unsatisfactory. The tenure of this office is not limited to time, but the Collegium Pontificum may remove someone from office if their performance or behavior is deemed unsatisfactory. Service points are awarded under III.A.7.f of the Lex Arria de censu civium aestimando, “officers of recognized corporations”, falling in the “president” category, receiving 6 CP, but they shall not receive Past Service Points for more than one year, and these Past Service Points shall be given only if they no longer hold the office.
- Curio Maximus: The curio maximus is entitled to convene the Comitia Curiata in lieu of the pontifex maximus. The thirty curiones elected a curio maximus from among themselves. The position of the curio maximus can also be filled by one of the three tribuni if so elected by the curiones. The Comitia Curiata shall confirm the election of the curio maximus and the tribuni of the tribes. The curio maximus, shall oversee the work of the curial officers. The tenure of this office is not limited to time, but the Collegium Pontificum may remove someone from office if their performance or behavior is deemed unsatisfactory. Service points are awarded under III.A.7.f of the Lex Arria de censu civium aestimando, “officers of recognized corporations”, falling in the “president” category, receiving 6 CP, but they shall not receive Past Service Points for more than one year, and these Past Service Points shall be given only if they no longer hold the office.
- Flamen Curialis: Each curia shall nominate a candidate for flamen curialis, whom the Collegium Pontificum shall appoint or refuse based on the evaluation of the candidate. The Comitia Curiata shall witness the appointment of a flamen curalis. The priesthood of the flamen curialis is for life, but the Collegium Pontificum may remove any of them if the performance or behavior of any of them is unsatisfactory. The curio and the flamen curialis, jointly, may nominate candidates for a lictor curiatus from among the members of the curia to the Collegium Pontificum for appointment whom the Collegium Pontificum shall appoint or refuse based on the evaluation of the candidate. Service points are awarded under III.B.1 of the Lex Arria de censu civium aestimando, “other sacerdos”, receiving 20 CP.
- Lictor Curiatus: A lictor curiatus is nominated jointly by the curio and the flamen curialis from among the members of the curia to the Collegium Pontificum for appointment whom the Collegium Pontificum shall appoint or refuse based on the evaluation of the candidate. The Collegium Pontificum may select any member of the curia for appointment as lictor curiatus at any time, independently from the nomination by the curio and flamen. The tenure of this office is not limited to time, but the Collegium Pontificum may remove someone from office if their performance or behavior is deemed unsatisfactory. The lictores curiati serve on the Comitia Curiata.
How to use Roman names?
It's not enough to choose a correct Roman name, you have to use it correctly as Romans did. You can find much interesting information on using Roman names and other forms of address in tzhe article "Using Roman names".