To some extent, the pronunciation of classical Latin is still debated, but there are definite conventions among scholars. Liturgical Latin and medieval Latin are pronounced somewhat differently than classical Latin. None of which need worry the reader unduly. The aim of this little section is simply to offer guidelines for those readers without Latin.
One convention adhered to in pronouncing classical Latin is to sound the consonantal v like our English w: thus, the word veritas is properly pronounced weritas. But the rule is not hard and fast, even among scholars, so in the interests of reader comfort, I shall proceed to ignore it.
The diphthong ae should not be pronounced as in “say,” but rather as in “eye”; this convention I have adhered to.
We have several more consonants in English than the Latin language did. The one which concerns the reader most is j. It has been customary in the English language for centuries to spell those Latin words commencing in consonantal i with a j. Thus, Julius should really be lulius, and pronounced Yoo-lee-uss, not Joo-lee-uss. However, I have elected to go with English j.
The Latin g has only one sound, which I shall call guh, as in “gain”—”get”—”give”—”gone”—”gun.” The other g sound in English, which I shall call juh, as in “ginger,” is never used in pronouncing Latin.
Rather than adopt one of the current lexicographic systems of pronunciation, I have elected to use a phonetic system of my own, rhyming the Latin with some ordinary English word pronounced identically on both sides of the Atlantic as well as in the Antipodes—where possible!
And, last but by no means least, none of it really matters save to the purist. The most important thing is that the reader discover and enjoy the world of Republican Rome. Do not feel uncomfortable with the names. Latin is a major root of the English language, and that is a major help in itself. (Note: in some cases I have given the standard English pronunciation first, and put the more correct pronunciation in parentheses, in the lists below.)
The Praenomen (the First Name)
Appius |
Ah-pee-uss (ah as in “pa,” “ma”—uss as in “puss”) |
Aulus |
Ow-luss (ow as in “cow”) |
Gaius |
Gye-uss (gye as in “eye”) |
Gnaeus |
Nye-uss (nye as in “eye”) |
Lucius |
Loo-shuss (more correctly, Loo-kee-uss) |
Mamercus |
Mah-mer-kuss (mah as in “pa”—mer as in “her”) |
Manius |
Mah-nee-uss (mah as in “pa”) |
Marcus |
Mar-kuss |
Publius |
Pub-lee-uss (pub has the same u sound as “put”) |
Quintus |
Kwin-tuss (kwin as in “twin”) |
Servius |
Ser-vee-uss (ser as in “her”) |
Sextus |
Sex-tuss (sex as in “sex”) |
Spurius |
Spoo-ree-uss (spoo as in “too”) |
Tiberius |
Tye-beer-ee-uss (more correctly, Tee-bear-ee-uss) |
Titus |
Tye-tuss (more correctly, Tee-tuss) |
The Nomen (the Family or Gentilicial Name, Indicating the Gens)
Aelius |
Eye-lee-uss (eye as in “eye”—uss as in “puss”) |
Aemilius |
Eye-mil-ee-uss (mil as in “will”) |
Annius |
An-nee-uss (an as in “tan”) |
Antistius |
Ahn-tist-ee-uss (ahn as in “gone”—list as in “fist”) |
Antonius |
An-toh-nee-uss (an as in “tan”—toh as in “so”) |
Appuleius |
Ah-poo-lay-ee-uss (poo as in “too”—lay as in “say”) |
Aquillius |
Ah-kwill-ee-uss (kwill as in “will”) |
Atilius |
Ah-tee-lee-uss |
Aurelius |
Or-ree-lee-uss (more correctly, Ow-ray-lee-uss) |
Baebius |
Bye-bee-uss (bye as in “eye”) |
Billienus |
Bill-ee-ay-nuss (bill as in “will”—ay as in “say”) |
Caecilius |
Kye-kill-ee-uss (kye as in “eye”—kill as in “will”) |
Caelius |
Kye-lee-uss |
Calpurnius |
Kahl-purr-nee-uss (kahl as in “doll”) |
Cassius |
Kass-ee-uss (kass as in “lass”) |
Claudius |
Klaw-dee-uss (klaw as in “paw”)—the English way; Klow-dee-uss (klow as in “cow”)—the correct Latin way |
Clodius |
Kloh-dee-uss (kloh as in “so”) |
Coelius |
Koy-lee-uss (koy as in “boy”) |
Cornelius |
Kor-nee-lee-uss (strictly, Kor-nay-lee-uss) |
Curtius |
Koor-tee-uss (koor as in “poor”) |
Decius |
Deck-ee-uss (deck as in “peck”) |
Decumius |
Deck-oo-mee-uss (oo as in “too”) |
Didius |
Did-ee-uss (did as in “bid”) |
Domitius |
Dom-it-ee-uss (dom as in “torn”—it as in “fit”) |
Equitius |
Ay-kwit-ee-uss (ay as in “say”—kwit as in “fit”) |
Fabius |
Fay-bee-uss (strictly, Fab-ee-uss, fab as in “cab”) |
Fabricius |
Fab-rick-ee-uss (fab as in “cab”—rick as in “kick”) |
Fannius |
Fan-nee-uss (fan as in “tan”) |
Flavius |
Flay-vee-uss (strictly, Flah-vee-uss) |
Fraucus |
Frow-kuss (frow as in “cow”) |
Fulvius |
Full-vee-uss (strictly, Fool-vee-uss) |
Furius |
Few-ree-uss (strictly, Foo-ree-uss) |
Gavius |
Gah-vee-uss (gah as in “pa”) |
Granius |
Grah-nee-uss (grah as in “pa”) |
Gratidius |
Grah-tid-ee-uss (tid as in “bid”) |
Herennius |
Her-en-ee-uss |
Hortensius |
Hor-ten-see-uss (hor as in “or”—ten as in “ten”) |
Julius |
Joo-lee-uss (joo as in “too”) |
Junius |
Joo-nee-uss |
Labienus |
Lab-ee-ay-nuss (lab as in “cab”—ay as in “say”) |
Licinius |
Lick-in-ee-uss (lick as in “kick”—in as in “sin”) |
Livius |
Liv-ee-uss (liv as in “spiv”) |
Lucilius |
Loo-kill-ee-uss |
Lusius |
Loo-see-uss |
Lutatius |
Loo-tah-tee-uss (tah as in “pa”) |
Macrinus |
Mah-kree-nuss (mah as in “pa”) |
Maelius |
Mye-lee-uss (mye as in “eye”) |
Magius |
Mah-gee-uss (the g as in “gear”) |
Mallius |
Mah-lee-uss |
Mamilius |
Mah-mill-ee-uss (mill as in “will”) |
Manlius |
Mahn-lee-uss |
Marcius |
Mar-shuss (more correctly, Mar-kee-uss) |
Marius |
Mah-ree-uss |
Matius |
Mat-ee-uss (mat as in “pat”) |
Memmius |
Mem-ee-uss (mem as in “them”) |
Minucius |
Min-oo-kee-uss (min as in “sin”—oo as in “too”) |
Mucius |
Mew-shuss (more correctly, Moo-kee-uss) |
Nonius |
Noh-nee-uss (noh as in “so”) |
Norbanus |
Nor-bah-nuss (nor as in “or”—bah as in “pa”) |
Octavius |
Ock-tay-vee-uss (more correctly, Ock-tah-vee-uss) |
Opimius |
Oh-pee-mee-uss |
Oppius |
Op-ee-uss (op as in “top”) |
Papirius |
Pah-pee-ree-uss |
Perquitienus |
Pair-kwit-ee-ay-nuss (pair as in “air”) |
Petreius |
Pet-ray-uss (pet as in “yet”) |
Plautius |
Plow-tee-uss (plow as in “cow”) |
Plotius |
Ploh-tee-uss (ploh as in “so”) |
Pompeius |
Pom-pay-ee-uss (pom as in “torn”—-pay as in “say”) |
Pomponius |
Pom-poh-nee-uss (poh as in “so”) |
Popillius |
Pop-ill-ee-uss (pop as in “top”—ill as in “will”) |
Poppaedius |
Pop-eye-dee-uss (pop as in “top”) |
Porcius |
Por-shuss (more correctly, Por-kee-uss) |
Postumius |
Poh-stoo-mee-uss (poh as in “so”—stoo as in “too”) |
Rutilius |
Roo-tee-lee-uss |
Saufeius |
Sow-fay-ee-uss (sow as in “cow”—fay as in “say”) |
Sempronius |
Sem-proh-nee-uss (sem as in “hem”—proh as in “so”) |
Sergius |
Sair-gee-uss (sair as in “air”—the g as in “gear”) |
Sertorius |
Sair-tor-ee-uss (tor as in “or”) |
Servilius |
Sair-vee-lee-uss |
Siccius |
Sick-ee-uss (sick as in “kick”) |
Sosius |
Soh-see-uss (soh as in “so”) |
Sulpicius |
Sool-pick-ee-uss (sool as in “fool”—pick as in “kick”) |
Terentius |
Tair-en-tee-uss (fair as in “air”—en as in “ten”) |
Thorius |
Thor-ee-uss (thor as in “or”) |
Titius |
Tit-ee-uss (tit as in “fit”) |
Tullius |
Too-lee-uss |
Turpilius |
Tur-pill-ee-uss (tur as in “fur”—pill as in “will”) |
Vagiennius |
Vah-gee-en-ee-uss (the g as in “gear”) |
Vettius |
Vet-ee-uss (vet as in “yet”) |
The Cognomen (the Last Name, Surname, or Distinguishing Name)
These names had definite meanings, so I shall give the meanings where we know them, as well as a guide to pronunciation.
Africanus |
Ah-frick-ah-nuss “of Africa” |
Agelastus |
Ah-gel-ah-stuss “never smiles” (the g as in “get”) |
Ahala |
Ah-hah-lah unknown |
Ahenobarbus |
Ah-hay-noh-barb-uss “red-or bronze bearded” |
Albinus |
Ahl-bee-nuss “whitish” |
Augur |
Ow-goor (goor as in “good”) “an augur” |
Balearicus |
Bah-lay-ah-rick-uss “of the Balearic Isles” |
Bambalio |
Bahm-bah-lee-oh unknown |
Bestia |
Best-ee-ah (best as in “rest”) “the beast” |
Brocchus |
Broh-kuss “buck-toothed” |
Brutus |
Broo-tuss “animal stupidity |
Caecus |
Kye-kuss “blind” |
Caepio |
Kye-pee-oh “the onion vendor” |
Caesar |
See-zar (Latin, Kye-sar) “a fine head of hair |
Caesoninus |
Kye-soh-nee-nuss unknown |
Caldus |
Kahl-duss “lukewarm” |
Calvus |
Kahl-vuss “bald” |
Camillus |
Kah-mill-uss unknown |
Caprarius |
Kah-prah-ree-uss “billy goat” |
Carbo |
Kar-boh “burned out” or “cinder” |
Cato |
Kay-toh (Latin, Kah-toh) “shrewd but up-tight |
Catulus |
Kah-too-luss “pup” or “cub” |
Cicero |
Siss-er-oh (Latin, Kick-er-oh) “chick-pea” |
Cotta |
Kot-tah (kot as in “pot”) “wine splash”(?) |
Crassus |
Krass-uss (krass as in “ass”) “thick” |
Cunctator |
Koonk-tah-tor “he who holds back” |
Dalmaticus |
Dahl-mah-tee-kuss “of Dalmatia” |
Dentatus |
Den-tah-tuss (den as in “ten”) “born with teeth” |
Diadematus |
Dee-ah-dem-ah-tuss “of a royal head-band |
Dives |
Dee-vays “the heavenly one” |
Drusus |
Droo-suss (droo as in “too”) unknown |
Eburnus |
Ay-boor-nuss “made of ivory” |
Fimbria |
Fim-bree-ah (fim as in “Him”) “hair worn in a fringe” |
Flaccus |
Flah-kuss “big ears” |
Galba |
Gahl-bah “potbelly” |
Getha |
Gay-thah “from the ends of the earth” |
Glaucia |
Glow-kee-ah (glow as in “cow”) “grey-green” |
Gracchus |
Grah-kuss “jackdaw”(?) |
Laenas |
Lye-nahss (sibilant ending “priestly mantle” |
Lentulus |
Len-too-luss (len as in “ten” “tardy” or “slow” |
Lepidus |
Lep-id-uss (lep as in “step”) “a wonderful fellow” |
Limetanus |
Lim-ay-tah-nuss (lim as in “dim”) “of a boundary” |
Longinus |
Long-gee-nuss (the g as in “get”) “in the far distance |
Lucullus |
Loo-kull-uss (kull as in “pull”) “a little grove of trees” |
Macedonicus |
Mahn-ked-on-ee-kuss “of Macedonia” |
Mactator |
Mahk-tah-tor “slaughterman” |
Magnus |
Mahg-nuss “great” |
Mancinus |
Mahn-kee-nuss “of a cripple” |
Margarita |
Mar-gah-ree-tah “pearl” |
Maximus |
Mahx-ee-muss “greatest” |
Meminius |
Mem-in-ee-uss (mem as in “hem”) “of the Gallic Meminii” “hem”) |
Merula |
Me-roo-lah (me as in “met”) “blackbird” |
Metellus |
Met-ell-uss (met as in “get”) “a liberated mercenary” |
Mus |
Moos “rat” or “mouse” |
Nasica |
Nah-see-kah “nosy” |
Nerva |
Nair-vah (nair as in “air”) “stringy” or “tough” |
Numidicus |
Noo-mid-ee-kuss (mid as in “bid”) “of Numidia” |
Orator |
Oh-rah-tor “the public speaker” |
Orestes |
Oh-rest-ays (rest as in “nest”) “mother died in birth” |
Paullus |
Pow-luss (pow as “cow”) “wee one” or “trifle” |
Philippus |
Fill-ip-uss (fill as in “will”) “of Philippi” |
Pipinna |
Pip-in-ah (pip as in “hip) “little boy’s penis” |
Piso |
Pee-soh “I grind down” |
Porcella |
Por-kell-ah “piglet” or “little girl’s genitals” |
Postumus |
Poss-too-muss (poss as in “boss”) “born after father died” |
Pulcher |
Pool-ker “beautiful” |
Ravilla |
Rah-vill-ah (vill as in “will”) “talked himself hoarse” |
Reginus |
Ray-gee-nuss (the “of a queen” g as in “get”) |
Rex |
Rayx “king” |
Rufinus |
Roo-fee-nuss “of a red-haired family” |
Rufus |
Roo-fuss (fuss as in “puss”) “red-haired” |
Ruso |
Roo-soh “a country bumpkin” |
Saturninus |
Sah-tur-nee-nuss “of Saturn” |
Scaevola |
Skye-voh-lah “left-handed” |
Scaurus |
Skow-russ (show as in “cow” “puffy feet” or “dropsical” |
Scipio |
Skee-pee-oh “a ceremonial rod” |
Serranus |
Se-rah-nuss (se as in “set”) “of a saw” or “serrated” |
Sesquiculus |
Say-skwee-koo-luss “an arsehole and a half” |
Siculus |
See-koo-luss “of Sicily” |
Silanus |
See-lah-nuss “ugly puggy face” |
Silo |
See-loh “snub-nosed” |
Stichus |
Stick-uss (stick as in “kick”) slave’s name (Greek) |
Strabo |
Stray-boh (Latin, Strah-boh) “cross-eyed” |
Sulla |
Soo-lah unknown |
Tubero |
Too-bear-oh “hump” or “morally bad” |
Varro |
Vah-roh “bandy-legged” |
Vatia |
Vah-tee-ah “knock-kneed” |
Verrucosis |
Ve-roo-koh-sus (ve as in “vet”) “covered in warts” |
Vopiscus |
Voh-piss-kuss “survivor of twins” |