A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Κορνήλιος Many plebeians of this name frequently occur towards the end of the republic without any cognomen. [CORNELIA GENS.] Their great number is no doubt owing to the fact mentioned by Appian (App. BC 1.100), that the dictator Sulla bestowed the Roman franchise upon 10,000 slaves, and called them after his own name, " Cornelii," that he might always have a large number among the people to support him. Of these the most important are:--