Flavius Lucianus
A tombstone from Shirva near Auchendavy commemorates Flavius Lucianus, a miles of Legio II Augusta. Latin text (very brief): “D(is) M(anibus) / FLA LVCIANVS MILES / LEG II AVG.” Found c.1729; now in the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow; usually dated to the Antonine occupation (AD 142–180). romaninscriptionsofbritain.org+1
There are a few more “Flavius Lucianus” attestations besides the Antonine-Wall tombstone (RIB 2181):
| Province/Region | Site / Findspot | Date (approx.) | Text (excerpt) | Role / Unit | Reference(s) | Notes |
| Britannia (Scotland) | Shirva near Auchendavy (Antonine Wall); now Hunterian Museum (Glasgow) | AD 142–180 (Antonine period) | D M / FLA LVCIANVS MILES / LEG II AVG | Soldier (miles), Legio II Augusta | RIB (Britain); Hunterian Museum record | Tombstone; discovered c. 1729 |
| Africa Proconsularis | Aïn-Zerres (Tunisia) | 2nd–3rd c. AD (approx.) | T(itus) Flavius Lucianus, veteranus; vixit annis 45 m(ensibus) 6 d(iebus) 20 | Veteran (veteranus) | AE 1980, 909; EDH HD005974 | Funerary inscription |
| Provincia Arabia | Umm al-Jimāl (Jordan) | Mid-4th c. AD (Constantius II) | Greek epitaph for Flavios Loukianos, praepositus; from Philippopolis; tribunus minor | Praepositus; tribunus minor | Published in regional corpora; museum/EDH listings | Greek text; later imperial usage of nomen Flavius |
Where the name comes from (naming mechanics)
Flavius is the nomen (gentilicium). In the early empire it could reflect descent or manumission under the Flavian dynasty; by Late Antiquity it became an honorific/status marker widely borne by officials and soldiers (often added or replacing an older nomen).
Lucianus is the cognomen, a formation from Lucius (ultimately from lux “light”), also common via Greek Loukianos—hence you see it across Latin and Greek spheres.
Quick take
“Flavius Lucianus” isn’t a single family you can track; it’s a common Late-Roman name pattern (imperial “Flavius” + very widespread “Lucianus”). Epigraphically, we have solid hits in Britain, Pannonia, Africa Proconsularis, and Arabia/Thrace—different men, different careers.
