Are there currently people tracing their lineage from ancient Romans?

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the patrician families of Ancient Rome ceased to exist. However, even now, 15 centuries after the demise of “the last Roman” Aetius, there are people in Italy and beyond whose lineage can be traced back to the noble families of that distant era. These lineages are not just a matter of historical curiosity; they continue to shape the social and cultural landscape of modern society, often carrying with them a sense of prestige and a connection to a rich cultural heritage.

John IV Kantakouzenos, illustration from a 14th-century Greek manuscript.

Most of them are concentrated in Italy, typically in Rome, Venice, and Genoa. This is unsurprising given these cities’ important role in history, especially in modern times. However, an exception exists — the Romanian Kantakouzenos family traces its lineage to the imperial Kantakouzenos family that ruled Byzantium. One of the representatives of this lineage was the late Petru Petruvich Kantakouzenos, an Orthodox bishop of Geneva and Western Europe.

Quintus Fabius Maximus, 18th-century sculpture.

The princely House of Massimo is the most famous aristocratic family in Italy and claims to be a descendant of ancient Roman patricians. A 16th-century Italian historian, Onofrio…