Changes

Despite frequent modern reference to [[Gaius Julius Caesar|Julius Caesar]], Julius is not his first name, but rather his '''nomen''' representing his father's linage: his first name, or [[praenomen]], is Gaius while ''Caesar'' was his [[cognomen]].

Despite frequent modern reference to [[Gaius Julius Caesar|Julius Caesar]], Julius is not his first name, but rather his '''nomen''' representing his father's linage: his first name, or [[praenomen]], is Gaius while ''Caesar'' was his [[cognomen]].

Thus when [[Gaius Julius Caesar]] adopted his nefew in his will, [[Gaius Octavius Thurinus]] ("octavian" being his family name), he changed his '''nomen gentilicium''' to "Julius" and accepted the associated [[cognomen]] of "Caesar".  But [[Octavian]] logically kept his first name/[[praenomen]] of "Gaius".  It must also be noted at that time [[Octavian]] had not yet been honoured with the [[agnomen]] of "Augustus".

Thus when [[Gaius Julius Caesar]] adopted his nephew in his will, [[Gaius Octavius Thurinus]] ("octavian" being his family name), he changed his '''nomen gentilicium''' to "Julius" and accepted the associated [[cognomen]] of "Caesar".  But [[Octavian]] logically kept his first name/[[praenomen]] of "Gaius".  It must also be noted at that time [[Octavian]] had not yet been honoured with the [[agnomen]] of "Augustus".

==Etymology==

==Etymology==