Caius Marius

Moreover, of the other two names, one was common to the whole family, as in the case of the Pompeii, the Manlii, or the Cornelii (just as a Greek might speak of the Heracleidae or the Pelopidae), and the other was a cognomen or epithet, given with reference to their natures or their actions, or to their bodily appearances or defects, Macrinus, for example, or Torquatus, or Sulla (like the Greek Mnemon, Grypus, or Callinicus).[*](The full name of a Roman citizen consisted of a praenomen (the given, or proper name), a nomen designating his family or gens, and a cognomen, which was also hereditary. Women rarely had a praenomen, or proper name, but bore the family name only. ) However, in these matters the irregularity of custom furnishes many topics for discussion.

As for the personal appearance of Marius, we have seen a marble statue of him at Ravenna in Gaul, and it very well portrays the harshness and bitterness of character which are ascribed to him. For since he was naturally virile and fond of war, and since he received a training in military rather than in civil life, his temper was fierce when he came to exercise authority.