docoflove1974

So, following that logic, if you were the child (or just son?) of the main wife, the one with money and familial power, chances are you were 'eligible' to have the maternal cognomina. But if you were the child/son of a lesser wife, then no dice. Right?

So it really came down to distinguishing names...makes sense. Do we know if this practice--both the disuse of the praenomen and the increased used of the maternal line--was pervasive in Roman society, both patrician and plebeian? Or only in the upper upper crust?

Certainly sounds right! As you said, Roman naming conventions had become quite flexible by that time, as evidenced by the fact that Roman women were acquiring names of more variety, adopting their own distinctive, feminine cognomina. -- Nephele This might be too off-topic to keep in here, and perhaps should be split off...I'll let the mods take care of that. But... Why was this acceptable at the time of Vespasian? Were women given more rights in society, and therefore adding the feminine-line to the name was acceptable? Or was it simply to be more distinguished? It would seem to me that if it became acceptable to put the feminine-line to the name, then matrons of the family (not necessarily matriarchs) started to weild more influence and/or power. It's a big step in such a patriarchal world. I know that, as a whole, (patrician) women in Rome had more power and rights (for lack of better terms) than the (elite) women of ancient Greece, but they still weren't exactly 'liberated' in the modern sense.

It could be worse...at least you were greeted as "Mr. Guest." You could have been told to sod off by the computer.

I joined a new gym a week ago, and it's taken that long to get my shit together and get into the pool. Aw man, I forgot how awesome it is to get into a clean, clear pool and do my laps! It's been about 8 months, and this new gym is quite motivating...almost like the one I used to go to when I lived in San Mateo. Great equipment, full amenities, and nothing is overcrowded. Ok, so I didn't do my usual mile and a half...to say the least, my body wasn't going to allow that. But still, 1200 yards is fine for a start. But it was just amazing to glide through the water again, to practice strokes that I've done for years and years...to feel my gills fling open with life! And to dry off in the sun afterwards...it feels just like it did a year ago at the old gym. I tell ya, this new place (which is just 5 blocks from my apartment...if that's not reason enough to get my fat ass outta here) is the key to reaching that ultimate goal.

That, and my general lack of knowledge of chemical elements...

17 points...I still say that #6 is Mercury.

AKA Compost!

When I first read this, I thought it was another episode of my favorite comic strip, "The Elderberries." Instead I've come to realize that it's the next installment of my second favorite comic strip, "Don Tomato!"

LOL I guess that's a way to look at it! Keep improving, and who knows! You could do this as a true side job!

You lost me right after "Greetings & Salutations"

That's quite interesting, but quite logical...if I recall correctly, the notion of patriarchy was quite strong, such that most things would have to be 'approved' by the patriarch (or at the very least the father). But did this also go for plebs who were adopted by patricians? Did they have to get permission from the patriarch/father first? Or was it simply an obvious move and therefore didn't require permission?

That is an extremely dangerous thing to do

Did they put a suffix on the name of the sponsoring family, in this case? Much like the -anus on the adopted names?

That would be great...like I hope that the Habs/Bruins series lit a fire under that one. I know several Bruins fans who gave up, until this series. Hopefully it'll be reinvigorated in future.

Sorry, that's Don Tomato's other alias.

If he's in the US (and I believe he is), that's not for another 3 years for him.

Don't even get me started. Game 6 was a [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted] [expletive deleted]-fest. I guess game 7 made up for it, but seriously, it's like they need a major cluster of dynomite up their arses just to get motivated. This had better change, and toot-sweet. The Canadiens *should* go through, you're right, but I think the Flyers will make it tight. Pens...I really hope so. I so want them to do well. Mario has a soft-spot in my heart, even if he's not on the ice anymore. Avs don't have a chance, I don't think. I really believe the Sharks will do better this round, but Lord knows what'll happen.

You're right...and when he was brought out for the 1999 All Star Game, he did doff his cap. He was 're-embraced' as the Boston legend that he is.

Have a great one, dude!

Yup...Heffeweissen. Never understood why. Man Law: Don't fruit the beer!

That's about what I would gather, too, G-Manicus, but was curious as to the social structure in that case. My thought is that should a Patrician family decide to adopt a Plebeian, it would 'lower' their status...as if to say that they mind being associated with 'riff-raff', so to speak.

Along these same lines: would a patrician family ever adopt a plebeian? Or would that be out of the question with regard to social ranks?

Uh, Teddy Ballgame DID doff his cap...1999...All-Star Game...

Yeah, I just got them: 29 July we fly in...so I guess we'll be there the night of the 30th and 31st (although this night we'll be at the game). I'll take a poll, too. Sweet!