Marcus nonius balbus biography

As you explore the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, sooner or later you will happen upon a marble equestrian statue. The little plaque fixed to the (modern) base of the statue states simply that it is a portrait of Marcus Nonius Balbus, and that it was found in the Forum area at Herculaneum.

For some reason, the plaque adds that the statue was originally donated by the inhabitants of Nuceria (today Nocera Inferiore near Naples), but this isn’t correct, as you will see in a moment.

But before I turn to the statue itself, perhaps a brief word on the man’s name.

Marcus nonius balbus biography wikipedia

“Balbus” is a common cognomen in Roman times and literally means “stammerer”. Perhaps the man indeed had a stammer, or had stammered at some point in his life, but more likely it was a nickname that he had simply inherited, in the same manner that Roman emperors would sport the cognomen “Caesar”.

Evidence from inscriptions reveal further information about the man.

Originally from Nuceria