Artorius

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Artorius was a Roman gens (gens Artoria). Its members were apparently natives of Campania, and other branches appeared in Dalmatia, Africa, Gallia Narbonensis, and Aegyptus. Marcus, Gaius, and Lucius were the three praenomen used by the Artorii males. Artorius is believed by some to be the source of the name Arthur.^{[citation needed]}

Members included:

• Lucius Artorius Castus, the most famous member, a general some think to be the historical King Arthur;
• Marcus Artorius, a freedman scribe living in Pompeii at the time of the eruption
• Artoria Cleopatra, a woman in Egypt believed to have lived during the time of Marc Antony
• Artoria Flaccilla, accompanied her husband Decimus Novius Priscus in 65 into exile. Priscus was degraced and exiled by the Roman Emperor Nero. Priscus' friend was Nero's tutor Seneca, who participated in the failed revolt of 65. Due to Priscus' friendship to Seneca, Nero exiled him.

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Artorius is also a long poem by John Heath-Stubbs (1972), detailing his view of the Arthurian legend.

[edit] References

• Tacitus, Annals of Imperial Rome, Chapter 15: The Plot