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Zangor
12-05-2007, 04:45
Hi there!
I've mostly been lurking a while, but I have a question about Samnite naming practices. Essentially, what were they? Did they use the same names as Romans, or anything similar?

Thanks!

Sakkura
12-05-2007, 10:08
Their name was Sam.

We are Sam. Resistance is futile.

KuKulzA
12-07-2007, 06:15
it's cause their ancient leader was Sam... therefore Samnites

later there came along a Samson... heir to the Sam... his people then became the Samsonites....

while the Samnites had a unique and effective military strategy and style, they did become part of the Roman country, and later prided themselves on their great bags and cases which the Romans then used to transport tools, weapons, and loot. So while the Romans conquered, thank the Samsonites for transporting the booty and supplies, and their predecessors the Samnites for causing Rome to evolve into a regional power, thus Rome was able to roam and wreck and ravage

afterall, without secure cases for your booty and food, where would your army be?

Belts Tighten -1 Morale on the battlefield

Caelus
12-07-2007, 07:46
Well I don’t know the complete answer, but I believe they had a Praenomen (pre-name= given name) and a nomen (name= family name). I don’t think they originally used cognomina (descriptive, epithetic surnames), but then again neither did the Romans originally.

As for the actual names themselves they seemed to be linguistically similar, but that may simply be due to the fact that I have read primarily Roman sources (such as Livius), and the Romans tended to “Latinize” everything.

I don’t know of written accounts left by the Samnites, meaning we have to rely on Roman sources, so I don’t think much can be known about their language.