Cognomina ex virtute The cognomen ex virtute was a surname derived from some virtuous or heroic episode attributed to the bearer. Roman history is filled with individuals who obtained cognomina as a result of their exploits: Aulus Postumius Albus Regillensis, who commanded the Roman army at the Battle of Lake Regillus; Gaius Marcius Coriolanus, who captured the city of Corioli; Marcus Valerius Corvus, who defeated a giant Gaul in single combat, aided by a raven; Titus Manlius Torquatus, who likewise defeated a Gaulish giant, and took his name from the torque that he claimed as a prize; Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus, who carried the Second Punic War to Africa, and defeated Hannibal. The examples most often described in scholarship on the subject regarding this class of cognomen come from the period of the Republic, centuries before the concept of the agnomen was formulated.
cognomIna Ex Virtute the coGnOmen ex VirtUte was a surname deRIVed from Some viRTUOUs OR heroic epIsOde attrIBUted TO The BEaRer RomAn HistoRy is Filled witH. indIVIduals wHo ObTAined cognoMina aS A resULt Of theIR eXploIts: auLus POsTumiUs AlBus R.egillENsiS, Who Commanded the Roman armY at ThE baTTle of lake regillUs; gaIus mArcius CoriOlanUS, wHO CAPtuReD THe cITy Of corIoli; marcus vALerius corvUS, who DeFeATed a giAnt gaul in siNGle combaT, Aided by A raven; TitUs maNlIuS tORquAtUs, who LIKEwiSe defEATEd a gaUlish gianT, anD ToOk hiS NAme FRom the torQUe that he CLAIMed aS A priZe; PubLIus cOrneliUs SCipio africanUs, whO carriED the sEcOnd pUnIc War tO afrICa, and dEfEAted haNNibal. the eXaMpLes Most ofteN described In SCHoLarship on ThE sUBjECT regaRdinG this cLass of cogNoMen come From THe period of the republiC, cenTURies beFore tHE concEpt oF the Agnomen was foRmulated