5 ms·

> Can anyone explain this? Slave names were sometimes numbers. Naming conventions in Roman culture were apparently also fairly formal.[0] I would guess there

> Can anyone explain this? Slave names were sometimes numbers. Naming conventions in Roman culture were apparently also fairly formal.[0] I would guess there's sufficient evidence here that a ratio of free to slave could be estimated. In general, it seems like being a slave was not a great experience.[1] [0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_in_ancient_Rome#Treatment_and_daily_life https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_in_ancient_Rome#Treatm... [1]: among other stories, the one concerning the murder of Lucius Pedanius Secundus sticks in my mind: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucius_Pedanius_Secundus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucius_Pedanius_Secundus

brazzy 3y ago
> Slave names were sometimes numbers. Senators' and emperors' names were quite often numbers. That is definitely not the distinction you're looking for.
- dumdumchan 3y ago
  "Janus the fifth" and "KD6-3.7"
  - mcpackieh 3y ago
    > "Janus the fifth" You're thinking along the lines of generational suffixes? There were Roman emperors who's family name (nomen gentilicium) was a number, the same number being used by son, father, grandfather... not incrementing with each generation. There were also Roman emperors who's fathers had been slaves. Lucius Septimius Severus - family name means 7th Publius Helvius Pertinax - family name means honey-yellow. Son of a freed slave.
  - brazzy 3y ago
    That's not at all how it worked. "The fifth slave I bought" and "the fifth son of this super rich senator" would have exactly the same name, Quintus.
    - Pigalowda 3y ago
      Cicero’s less famous brother was named Quintus. Pompey Magnus had a son, Sextus (6th), that was relatively famous for his opposition to Octavius.
    - memling 3y ago
      Not sure precisely why you're being downvoted for bringing some additional light to the conversation. Been busy here but appreciate the insights; this isn't my field. Are there good sources that clarify the complexities of Roman naming conventions?
sedatk 3y ago
> it seems like being a slave was not a great experience It was definitely frowned upon.

brazzy 3y ago

> Slave names were sometimes numbers. Senators' and emperors' names were quite often numbers. That is definitely not the distinction you're looking for.

dumdumchan 3y ago
"Janus the fifth" and "KD6-3.7"
- mcpackieh 3y ago
  > "Janus the fifth" You're thinking along the lines of generational suffixes? There were Roman emperors who's family name (nomen gentilicium) was a number, the same number being used by son, father, grandfather... not incrementing with each generation. There were also Roman emperors who's fathers had been slaves. Lucius Septimius Severus - family name means 7th Publius Helvius Pertinax - family name means honey-yellow. Son of a freed slave.
- brazzy 3y ago
  That's not at all how it worked. "The fifth slave I bought" and "the fifth son of this super rich senator" would have exactly the same name, Quintus.
  - Pigalowda 3y ago
    Cicero’s less famous brother was named Quintus. Pompey Magnus had a son, Sextus (6th), that was relatively famous for his opposition to Octavius.
  - memling 3y ago
    Not sure precisely why you're being downvoted for bringing some additional light to the conversation. Been busy here but appreciate the insights; this isn't my field. Are there good sources that clarify the complexities of Roman naming conventions?

sedatk 3y ago

> it seems like being a slave was not a great experience It was definitely frowned upon.