Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Harold Edgeworth Butler (Translator), 1.4.25

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[25] A really keen and intelligent teacher will inquire into the origin of names derived from physical characteristics, such as Rufus or Longus, whenever their meaning is obscure, as in the case of Sulla, Burrus, Galba, Plautus, Pansa, Scaurus and the like; of names derived from accidents of birth such as Agrippa, Opiter, Cordus and Postumus, and again of names given after birth such as Vopiscus. Then there are names such as Cotta, Scipio, Laenas or Seranus,¹ which originated in various ways.

Institutio Oratoria. Quintilian. Harold Edgeworth Butler (Translator). Cambridge, Mass.. 1920-1922.

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Current edition Perseus

Institutio Oratoria (English) (Quintilian. Institutio Oratoria, Volume 1-4. Butler, Harold Edgeworth, translator. Cambridge, Mass; London: Harvard University Press, William Heinemann Ltd., 1920-1922.)

Editions (1)

Institutio Oratoria Perseus (Quintilian. Institutio Oratoria, Volume 1-4. Butler, Harold Edgeworth, editor. Cambridge, Mass; London: Harvard University Press, William Heinemann Ltd., 1920-1922.) — 1.4.25 focus

[25] scrutabitur ille praeceptor acer atque subtilis origines nominum, quae ex habitu corporis Rufos Longosque fecerunt; ubi erit aliud secretius, Sullae , Burri, Galbae, Plauti, Pansae, Scauri taliaque; et ex casu nascentium; hic Agrippa et Opiter et Cordus et Postumus erunt; et ex iis, quae post natos eveniunt, unde Vopiscus. iam Cottae, Scipiones, Laenates, Serani sunt ex variis causis.

Notes on the current edition

Institutio Oratoria

1. Sulla =? spindleshanks ( surula ). Burrus = red. Galba = caterpillar. Plautus = flat-footed. Pansa = splay-footed. Scaurus = with swollen ankles. Agrippa = born feet foremost. Opiter = one whose father died while his grandfather still lived. Cordus = late-born. Postumus = last-born, or born after the father's death. Vopiscus = a twin born alive after the premature birth and death of the other. Scipio = staff. Laenas from laena (cloak). Seranus = the sower. Cotta uncertain.

Quintilian Institutio Oratoria 1.4.25

Harold Edgeworth Butler (Translator)

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