Marius Black was a Squib, third child of Cygnus Black II and Violetta Bulstrode, and brother of Pollux Black, Cassiopeia Black, and Dorea Black. Marius was disowned and removed from the Black family tree tapestry for being a Squib[1], as his family believed strongly in the importance of blood purity and disdained Squibs, who are generally treated as second-class citizens in the Wizarding world[2].
Marius's date of birth is unknown, but given when his siblings were born, Marius was likely born between 1915 and 1920.
Etymology
Marius is a Roman name derived from Mars, the Roman god of war. It was the name of several Roman generals, a philosopher, and an emperor. One of those Roman generals was renowned for his revolutionary military reforms and for being elected consul an unprecedented seven times. The name is also sometimes used as a masculine version of the name Maria[3], which is derived from the Hebrew name Miriam, the meaning of which is usually theorized to be "sea of bitterness"[4]. Marius is also the name of one of the main characters in Victor Hugo's Les Misérables.
Marius is also the name of a moon crater , which fits in with the Black family tradition of naming children after stars.
Behind the scenes
- He may have had descendants (which may have been Muggles or Squibs) but because he was disowned by his family, they did not appear on the family tree.
- Since in the wizarding world, Squibs were considered as the worst blood status, Marius may have been the House of Black’s greatest shame.
- While it is possible that he might have died by 1996 as it was stated that Sirius was the last of the Blacks who died, it is also possible that he was still alive but living in the Muggle world, unknown to the magical community.
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) (Appears on Black family tapestry)