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.