Rubellius Plautus (33–62 AD) was a Roman noble and a political rival of Emperor Nero. Through his mother Julia Livia, he was a member of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Julia was the daughter of Drusus Julius Caesar, son of emperor Tiberius.
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Parentage
Plautus' father was Gaius Rubellius Blandus. Blandus' family originated from Tibur (modern Tivoli) and were of the Equestrian class. His mother Julia Livia was the daughter of Drusus, son of emperor Tiberius. Through his mother he was also descended from Livilla, Vipsania Agrippina, Nero Claudius Drusus, Antonia Minor, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Mark Antony, and Octavia the Younger.
Plautus derived his cognomen from his father's maternal grandfather Lucius Sergius Plautus, and may have used his ancestor's nomen gentilicium Sergius as his own praenomen as a lead pipe is attested with the name "Sergius Rubellius Plautus", but this person may have been his son.
Plautus father died in 38. Between 43 and 45, his mother Julia became an innocent victim to the intrigues of Empress Valeria Messalina. One possibility is that the young Plautus was seen by Messalina as a rival to her son Britannicus. Emperor Claudius (who was husband to Messalina, father to Brittanicus and maternal uncle to Julia) did not secure any legal defense for his niece. Consequently, Julia was executed. However Julia was considered to be a virtuous person by those who knew her.