Iulus
/aɪˈjuːləs/noun
A taxonomic name used for a genus of millipedes and, in classical mythology, an alternate name for Ascanius, son of Aeneas.
Did you know?The name Iulus belongs to both a millipede genus and Ascanius, the mythic founder-ancestor of the Julian Roman dynasty, linking natural history with imperial genealogy.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἴουλος (íoulos)
“A millipede or similar many-legged creature; the word could also refer to facial down or a caterpillar-like form.”
Classical Latin
Latin
iūlus
“A millipede, especially a long, cylindrical many-legged animal.”
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Latin
Iulus
“A poetic or alternate name for Ascanius, son of Aeneas and legendary ancestor of the Julian family.”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Iulus
“A genus name assigned to millipedes, preserving the ancient Latin zoological term.”
Modern English
English
Iulus
“A taxonomic genus name for millipedes; it also appears in classical and mythological writing as Ascanius’s name.”