Julius

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For other meanings of Julius see Julius (disambiguation)

Julius (fem. Julia) is the nomen of the gens Julia, an important patrician family of ancient Rome supposed to have descended from Julus, and thus from the goddess Venus. (See also: Julio-Claudian dynasty - Julia Caesaris). They apparently originated from Alba Longa[1], which was reputedly founded by Julus (also known as Ascanius), son of Aeneas (reputed ancestor of Romulus and Remus).

The name is also seen as Iulius and Iulia. There were many thousands of people bearing it, since the freedman took the gens name of their previous owners, thus many freedmen of the Julio-Claudian emperors received this name. The name lives on as a personal name.

Julii Caesares, all with the 'Julius Caesar' nomen and cognomen combination, but differing praenomens, most famously:

Members of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty:

Several other emperors:

Other people:

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Tacitus, Annals XI.23