Gens and traits importance

**Horst Nordfink** · 12-03-2007, 15:12

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.

**Akashic** · 12-03-2007, 18:50

So I should´t really bother with the gens but for roleplay? I always rejected gens Fabian because I wanted warriors and administrators, not poets!

**Horst Nordfink** · 12-03-2007, 19:00

What about Quintus Fabius Maximus Cunctator? He was dictator twice, consul five times and a famous soldier!

Which poet are you talking about called Fabius?

**Akashic** · 12-03-2007, 19:08

No one specifically... but the description for the Fabian says they were more likely to be poets and appreciate the finer things of life instead of becoming leaders like many other families.

**Pharnakes** · 12-03-2007, 19:09

If the description says so, in that case it is probably true.

**Long lost Caesar** · 12-03-2007, 19:10

sounds like a good governor to me mate.

**Horst Nordfink** · 12-03-2007, 19:23

Originally Posted by Akashic

No one specifically... but the description for the Fabian says they were more likely to be poets and appreciate the finer things of life instead of becoming leaders like many other families.

I wonder why that is? The Fabii have a long history of leading the Republic. Could an EB member explain this?

**Teleklos Archelaou** · 12-03-2007, 21:12

The ethnicities and such affect chances for the general to get certain traits - but the main determinent is their own natural abilities. Anyone with a cowardly Spartan, or an Athenian who was a country-bumpkin, or such can attest to these things. Ethnicities increase chances for trait acquisition, but I don't think it is a dramatic increase over the natural chances for that trait acquisition in the first place given their temperment/abilities/personality.