Artorius

Artorius was a Roman gens ("gens Artoria"). It meant "plowman".Green, Thomas. [http://www.arthuriana.co.uk/historicity/arthur.htm "The Historicity and Historicisation of Arthur."] [http://www.arthuriana.co.uk/historicity/arthur.pdf PDF version] ] 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.

Members included:
*Artoria Cleopatra, a woman in Egypt believed to have lived during the time of triumvir Mark 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.
*Marcus Artorius, a freedman scribe living in Pompeii at the time of the eruption.
*Lucius Artorius Castus, the most famous member, a general some think to be the Historical basis for King Arthur.

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

References