36. The minute diligence of antiquarians has not been able
to verify these extraordinary names I am of opinion that
they were invented by the historian himself, who was afraid
of any personal satire or application. It is certain,
however, that the simple denominations of the Romans were
gradually lengthened to the number of four, five, or even
seven, pompous surnames; as, for instance, Marcus Maecius
Maemmius Furius Balburius Cacilianus Placidus. See Norris,
Cenotaph. Pisan. Dissert. iv. p. 438.