Plautian

Plautian is a term encountered in historical and onomastic contexts to denote relation to the Roman gens Plautia. In scholarly use, it can function as an adjective describing things connected with Plautia or, less commonly, as a root in proper names derived from the gens.

Etymology and forms: Plautian derives from Plautius, the nomen of the plebeian Plautia gens, with the addition of an adjectival suffix. The form Plautian appears in comparative or analytic discussions of naming patterns, while more common Latin names from the same gens include Plautius, Plautia, Plautianus, and Plautilla. In modern reconstructions, Plautian may be used to discuss individuals or artifacts associated with Plautia in a concise or abbreviated way.

Usage in historical sources: The Plautia gens produced several notable members in the Roman Republic and Empire. While Plautian is not widely attested as an independent given name in primary sources, it may appear in modern scholarly or genealogical discussions as a shorthand for “belonging to Plautia” or as a stem in names related to the gens. The more frequently encountered forms in ancient texts are Plautius, Plautianus, and related derivatives.

Modern usage: In contemporary scholarship, Plautian is primarily of interest to students of Roman onomastics and prosopography. It helps describe naming conventions within the Plautia gens and provides a concise way to refer to affiliations without repeating the full gens name.

See also: Plautia gens, Plautius, Plautianus, Roman naming conventions.