Searching for neurological diseases in the Julio-Claudian dynasty of the Roman Empire

ABSTRACT The gens Julia was one of the oldest families in ancient Rome, whose members reached the highest positions of power. They made history because Julius Caesar, perpetual dictator, great-uncle of the first emperor, Augustus, passed his name on to the Julio-Claudian dynasty with the emperors Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero. Descriptions of the diseases of these emperors and some of his family members may indicate diagnoses such as epilepsy, dystonia, dementia, encephalitis, neurosyphilis, peripheral neuropathies, dyslexia, migraine and sleep disorders. In the historical context of ancient Rome, the possibility of infectious diseases related to the libertine way of life is quite large. However, there is a possibility that some of these diseases occurred from genetic transmission.

摘要：尤利乌斯氏族（gens Julia）是古罗马最古老的氏族之一，族中成员曾身居最高权力职位。该家族之所以载入史册，是因为终身独裁官尤利乌斯·恺撒——第一位皇帝奥古斯都的外叔祖父——将自己的姓氏传给了尤利乌斯-克劳狄王朝，该王朝的统治者包括提比略、卡利古拉、克劳狄乌斯与尼禄。对这些皇帝及其部分家族成员的病症记载，可对应癫痫、肌张力障碍、痴呆、脑炎、神经梅毒、周围神经病、诵读困难、偏头痛与睡眠障碍等诊断结果。结合古罗马的历史背景，与奢靡放纵的生活方式相关的传染病可能性极高。不过，其中部分病症也有可能由遗传传递引发。