Servius (praenomen)

This article is about the Latin praenomen. For the sixth king of Rome, see Servius Tullius. For the jurist, see Servius Sulpicius Rufus. For the grammarian, see Servius the Grammarian.

Servius (Classical Latin: [ˈsɛru̯iʊs]), feminine Servia, is a Latin praenomen, or personal name, which was used throughout the period of the Roman Republic, and well into imperial times. It was used by both patrician and plebeian families, and gave rise to the patronymic gens Servilia. The name was regularly abbreviated Ser.[1][2]

Servius was never one of the most common praenomina; about ten other names were used more frequently. Most families did not use it, although it was a favorite of the gens Cornelii and the gens Sulpicii, two of the greatest patrician houses at Rome. The name gradually became less common towards the end of the Republic, but was still used in imperial times.[3][4]

  1. ^ Dictionary of Greek & Roman Biography & Mythology
  2. ^ Mika Kajava, Roman Female Praenomina: Studies in the Nomenclature of Roman Women (1994)
  3. ^ Dictionary of Greek & Roman Biography & Mythology
  4. ^ Realencyclopädie der Classischen Altertumswissenschaft