Publius

Publius is a Latin praenomen used in ancient Rome. Derived from publicus, the term carries the sense “of the people” or “public.” In Roman naming practice, Publius was often abbreviated P. and was borne by many officials, military leaders, and private citizens across the Republic and Empire.

Throughout Roman history, numerous individuals bore the name Publius, illustrating its wide usage. One notable bearer is Publius Valerius Publicola, a consul in 509 BC who helped establish the Roman Republic and advocated popular rights. The form Publius appears in a variety of Roman names, frequently as part of a longer nomenclature.

The best-known modern association with the name is the collective pseudonym Publius used by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay when writing The Federalist Papers. Published in 1787 and 1788 to advocate the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, the essays appeared in New York newspapers under the name Publius and were later compiled into a book. The choice of a single classical name was intended to present a unified, principled argument.

In contemporary usage, Publius survives as a given name or surname in some cultures and contexts, though it remains relatively uncommon in everyday modern usage. The name continues to be recognized primarily for its historical association with Roman antiquity and its prominent role in American political literature.