Silanus is the cognomen of a patrician branch of the gens Junia, a noble family of ancient Rome which came to prominence during the Empire.
Important members of this family included three brothers who lived in the reigns of Claudius and Nero. They were descended via their mother, Aemilia Lepida, from the emperor Augustus. All three brothers came to tragic ends.
- Marcus Junius Silanus Torquatus (14- by November, 54), who was consul in 46.
- Decimus Junius Silanus Torquatus (d. 64, forced to commit suicide) who was consul in 53.
- Lucius Junius Silanus Torquatus the elder (committed suicide on New Year's Day, 49), praetor in 48 who was engaged to Claudius's daughter Claudia Octavia until Agrippina the Younger spread false rumors about his alleged incest with his sister Junia Calvina.
Earlier prominent members of this family were:
- Quintus Caecilius Metellus Creticus Silanus, consul 7 AD, governor of Syria 13 AD to 17 AD.
- Caius Junius Silanus, consul 10 AD, charged and convicted of treason under Tiberius.
- Decimus Junius Silanus (consul), consul in 62 BC, who, as the senior consul-elect, was an important figure in the crushing of the Catilinarian Conspiracy shortly beforehand.
- Titus Turpilius Silanus, according to Sallust in his history of the Jugurthine War, Titus Turpilius Silanus was the commander of the Roman garrison at Vaga, and the only Roman to survive when the native Numidians rose up against the garrison. Silanus was subsequently tried and executed by the proconsul, Metellus, for suspected treason.