Julia was the daughter of Titus and Arrecina Tertulla. When growing up, Titus offered her in marriage to his brother Domitian, but he refused because of his infatuation with Domitia Longina. After the death of her husband Julia moved into the palace with her uncle and his wife Domitia Longina. Ancient historians report that Julia was seduced by her uncle and died having an abortion forced upon her by him. Dio, for example, claimed that he "lived with [her] as husband with wife, making little effort at concealment." Modern historians regard this as likely slander invented after Domitian's assassination. Julia was deified after her death and Martial wrote a poem where in he praised her and wished for her to become the spiritual guardian of the (hoped for) future son of Domitian and Domitia whom he wished to be named "Julius" in her honor. Following Domitian's downfall their wet nurse Phyllis mixed his ashes with those of Julia to ensure they would not be thrown away.