Afranius

Afranius is a Latin cognomen, a designation commonly used in ancient Rome. While not a praenomen (given name) or nomen (family name), it was a distinguishing epithet within a family or clan. The most prominent figure to bear this name was Titus Afranius, a Roman poet who lived in the late 2nd and early 1st centuries BCE. He was known for his comedies, which were popular in his time, though unfortunately, none of his works have survived. Afranius's plays were reportedly written in the Atellan farce tradition, characterized by stock characters and improvised dialogue, and were often compared to those of his contemporaries, Plautus and Terence. Another notable individual was Lucius Afranius, a contemporary of Julius Caesar. He was a senator and a staunch supporter of Pompey during the Civil War. Afranius commanded Pompey's forces in Hispania but was eventually defeated and captured by Caesar's legions. His military career ended with his death, though the exact circumstances remain debated. The cognomen Afranius thus appears in both literary and military contexts within Roman history.