Latium
/ˈleɪ.ʃi.əm/noun
An ancient region of central Italy, home to Rome.
Did you know?Latium is the name of the region, but its deeper origin is uncertain; scholars have long debated whether it connects to an older Italic tribal or geographic name rather than any dramatic “hidden meaning.”
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Italic / Pre-Roman
Italic
Latium
“The region in central Italy around the lower Tiber and the early Latin peoples”
Classical Latin
Latin
Latium
“The territory of the Latins, especially around Rome”
Late Latin
Latin
Latium
“The Roman region name preserved in historical and administrative writing”
Middle English
English
Latium
“A learned historical name for the ancient region of central Italy”
Modern English
English
Latium
“The ancient region of central Italy associated with early Rome”