Choosing a Roman name

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The ''nomina'' are listed in their male forms. To make the female form, just replace the ending "-us" with "-a".
 
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 [[Censor (Nova Roma)|Censores]] will consider your request.
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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 [[Censor (Nova Roma)|Censores]] will consider your request (please read before about [http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Category:Unhistorical_Gentes Unhistorical or Unattested Gentes].
  
 
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Revision as of 10:55, 11 June 2008

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Spqr-white-blue-50.gif This page is maintained under authority of the Censores. Make no unauthorized changes .

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.


File:Names.jpg
Examples of Roman names from a monument in Newcastle

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 (please read before about Unhistorical or Unattested Gentes.



Acilius

Aebutius

Aelius

Aemilius

Albius

Amatius

Annaeus

Anneius

Annius

Antonius

Arrius

Artorius

Asinius

Atilius

Atius

Aurelius

Autronius

Caecilius

Caedicius

Caelius

Calidius

Calpurnius

Cassius

Claudius

Cloelius

Cocceius

Cominius

Cornelius

Coruncanius

Curiatius

Curius

Curtius

Decius

Didius

Domitius

Duilius

Durmius

Equitius

Fabius

Fabricius

Fannius

Flavius

Fulvius

Furius

Gabinius

Galerius

Geganius

Gellius

Geminius

Genucius

Gratius

Herennius

Hirtius

Horatius

Hortensius

Hostilius

Iulius

Iunius

Iuventius

Laelius

Lartius

Licinius

Livius

Lucilius

Lucretius

Manlius

Marcius

Marius

Memmius

Menenius

Minicius

Minius

Minucius

Modius

Mucius

Naevius

Nautius

Numerius

Numicius

Octavius

Ovidius

Papirius

Petronius

Pinarius

Pompeius

Pompilius

Pontius

Popillius

Porcius

Postumius

Quinctilius

Quinctius

Rubellius

Rufius

Rutilius

Sallustius

Salonius

Salvius

Scribonius

Seius

Sempronius

Sentius

Sergius

Sertorius

Servilius

Sextius

Sicinius

Suetonius

Sulpicius

Tarpeius

Tarquitius

Terentius

Titinius

Titurius

Tuccius

Tullius

Ulpius

Valerius

Vedius

Velleius

Vergilius

Verginius

Vibius

Villius

Vipsanius

Vitellius

Vitruvius

Volumnius




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

Our society

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


Social structure of Nova Roma

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.

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.

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 the article "Using Roman names".

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