Flavius - Definition and Overview

Flavius was the name of a gens in ancient Rome, meaning "blonde." The feminine form was Flavia. After the end of the popular Flavian dynasty of emperors, Flavius/Flavia became a praenomen, common especially among royalty (Constantine the Great, Justinian) or high-ranking officials (Aetius, Belisarius).

Famous Flavians included:

• Gaius Flavius Fimbria, consul in 104 BC
• Gaius Flavius Antoninus, assassin of Julius Caesar
• Titus Flavius Vespasianus (Emperor Vespasian)
• Titus Flavius Vespasianus (Emperor Titus)
• Titus Flavius Domitianus (Emperor Domitian)
• Julia Flavia, daughter of Titus and mistress of Domitian
• Titus Flavius Sabinus, consul in 82
• Titus Flavius Clemens, consul in 95
• Patriarch Flavianus (Fravitta of Constantinople)
• Virius Nicomachus Flavianus

See also:

• Flavian dynasty
• Flavian

1st century Jewish historian Josephus is also sometimes called Flavius Josephus.