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Talk:Manius Acilius Glabrio Gnaeus Cornelius Severus

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About his name

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One detail I would like to comment on, but I do not know enough to accurately explain it in the article, is his name: Manius Acilius Glabrio Gnaeus Cornelius Severus. It is polyonomous, having several parts to his name (as can be seen by the two praenomen, a usage that violates the tria nomina of the Republic & Principate). From my rudimentary knowledge of 2nd century naming practices, the two larger elements in his name at first glance suggest that he was born Cn. Cornelius Severus, & adopted the M'. Acilius Glabrio portion because he had been adopted by a member of the Acilii Glabriones. However, in the first inscription mentioned in the article, it is clear he was born a Acilius Glabrio, & for some reason added the Cn. Cornelius Severus portion to his name. He may have done it as a condition of receiving a legacy -- a common reason. Or his mother may have been a member of the Cornelii Severi, & he added that element to acknowledge that portion of his family history. In either case, the usual practice is to put that element at the beginning of one's name. But as I said, I don't really know the Roman naming practices of the 2nd century, so I'm not comfortable discussing this in the article without further research. Until then, this note on this unusual character of his name will have to do. -- llywrch (talk) 23:47, 17 November 2016 (UTC)[reply]