Genealogies of Roman Clans and Families

A decorative woodcut headpiece consisting of symmetrical scrolling foliage, floral motifs, and arabesque patterns. A large ornamental woodcut initial 'S' begins the main text, decorated with classical foliage and a small human figure.

SILVIA GENS The Silvia Clan.

I find exactly three families of the Silvia clan in the monuments of the ancient annals. The first of these is that of Aeneas, who, born to his father Anchises, obtained the kingdom of the Latins after the death of his father-in-law, Latinus. He left two surviving sons: Ascanius, born to his mother Creusa while Troy was still safe, and Silvius, the grandson of King Latinus born of his daughter Lavinia. Ascanius, the elder son, succeeded Aeneas in the kingdom. Silvius was excluded by Ascanius’s son Iulus, whom they proclaim as the founder of the Julian clan and the prince of his family. However, Aeneas Silvius succeeded Silvius. To Aeneas succeeded Latinus Silvius, the son of Lavinia and Melampus, and the uterine brother of the first Silvius. This is the first family of the Latin kings. The second is reported by the ancients to be the Alba Silvius. From Alba, Atis was born; from Atis, Capys; from Capys, Capetus; from Capetus, Tiberinus; from Tiberinus, Agrippa, to whom Romulus was born as a son; and to Romulus, Aventinus succeeded in the inheritance of the kingdom. From here, the third family began, when the kingdom of the Latins was transferred to Proca Silvius, from whom almost all authors of Roman history begin their account. Proca had sons, Numitor and Amulius. Amulius seized the kingdom by force; once he was killed, Numitor was restored to the throne—the maternal grandfather of Romulus and Remus. These things are generally reported by Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Livy, Virgil, and the rest of the historians of the lesser likely referring to "minor clans" or lesser-known chroniclers families, such as Velleius Paterculus, Messala Corvinus, Cassiodorus, Orosius, and Zonaras. We have called this clan the "Silvia" not so much because of the custom of other Roman clans, but because we believe something must be conceded to antiquity in this matter. For although the paternal lineage of Romulus and Remus is uncertain, the ancients traced their maternal lineage to the kings of the Latins, whom we have gladly followed.