Gens and traits importance

[Horst Nordfink]

A Roman name consisted of a praenomen (Caivs, Marcvs etc), a nomen (Ivlivs, Licinivs etc) and a cognomen (Caesar, Crassvs etc).

The nomen indicated which gens or clan, the bearer belonged to. The cognomen indicated to which branch of said clan the bearer belonged.

Sometimes someone would have a fourth name. This was usually because he had been adopted. For example, Gaivs Octavivs Thvrinvs (Augustus) was adopted by Gaivs Jvlivs Caesar on his death. He then became Gaivs Jvlivs Caesar Octavianvs. The suffix -anvs was added to his nomen to indicate which clan he had been adopted from.