Praenomen (Noun)
Meaning
The first name of a citizen of ancient Rome.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The praenomen of the famous Roman general was Lucius, which means "bringer of light".
- In ancient Rome, a child was typically given a praenomen at birth, such as Marcus or Julia.
- The traditional praenomen of the Julian clan was Gaius, which was also the name of the famous statesman Julius Caesar.
- A Roman's praenomen was often used in formal situations, such as when addressing a public forum or writing a letter.
- The praenomen Felix, meaning "happy" or "lucky", was a popular choice among Roman parents during the late Republic period.