Terentia: What’s in a name?
We're often asked, “Why the name Terentia?” For us, Terentia is more than just a name. It embodies our mission of empowering museums and cultural institutions.
In today’s world, terms like digital, cloud-native, and SaaS represent modern ways of interacting and working.
Yet when choosing our name, we looked to the past.
Reflecting on our commitment to culture, arts, and humanities, we found ourselves drawn to Terentia—a remarkable woman from ancient Rome who embodied strength, dedication, and patronage of the arts.
The Historical Terentia
Historic records doesn’t reveal much about Terentia. Most of what we know comes from scattered letters and documents from her time, around 98 BC to AD 6.
Born into a wealthy family, Terentia stood out in Roman society. She married the famous orator and politician Cicero, and unlike many women of her era, Terentia controlled much of her own finances and served as Cicero’s benefactor.
Her financial independence wasn’t common in those days, but it allowed her to wield influence, dedicating time and resources to the arts and her community.
Terentia’s legacy is one of strength and cultural contribution—a fitting symbol for our mission.
Why Terentia?
To say we love cultural institutions is an understatement.
We believe deeply in the role cultural institutions—such as museums, libraries, archives, galleries, and performing arts centers—play in educating and inspiring communities worldwide.
These institutions fill gaps in knowledge, spark creativity, and foster discovery. They are, in a way, the “guardians of humanity.”
For us, the historical Terentia represents the collaborative spirit and dedication we admire and seek to emulate. She was a true patron of culture, as we aspire to be for today’s institutions.
At Terentia, our mission is to empower our clients to reach beyond their local communities, democratize access to education, and inspire curiosity everywhere.
Learn more about our namesake
Interested in learning more about Terentia of Rome and her legacy?
Consider delving into these resources:
Terentia, Tullia and Publilia: The Women of Cicero's Family - Susan Treggiari
Encyclopedia of Women in the Ancient World - Joyce E. Salisbury
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