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Claudius (gens)

The gens Claudia was one of the oldest families in ancient Rome, and for centuries its members were regularly leaders of the city and empire.

The family was traditionally held to have begun with Attius Clausus, a Sabine who favored peace with Rome, an unpopular position that led to him leaving Regillus with his followers around 504 BC. Rome was welcoming however, making his followers citizens and giving them land, and making Appius Claudius Sabinus (as his name was said in the Roman dialect) a senator.

Clodius was a "plebeian" spelling used by some members of the gens, while Claudia (and Clodia) were the forms used by women.

Claudius Salmasius is "Claude Saumaise" Latinized, as was formerly common for European scholars.