A far-UV population synthesis is performed with the IUE Spectral Atlas on absolute spectrophotometry for nuclei of early-type galaxies. Two types of stellar populations may be distinguished in gas-poor galaxies: a) the bulk of evolved stars mostly contributing in the 2000 A – 3000 A wavelength range as well as in the visible. The Long Wavelength Range IUE spectra appear to be excellent indicators of the turn off age in galaxy nuclei; b) a possible young massive star population which could be the origin of the far UV excess in most cases and which is essentially contributing in the 1200 A – 2000 A wavelength range. Spectral features of massive stars may be identified.