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PEOPLE AND PERSONALITIES OF ROME

Faustina the Younger

Key information:

Official Name: ANNIA GALERIA FAUSTINA AUGUSTA MINOR

Birthdate: September, circa 130 CE.

(Historia Augusta, Life of Marcus Aurelius, 6.6) (Dura-Europos Military Calendar – Feriale Duranum)

Birthplace: Unknown.

Reign: Marcus Aurelius, Faustina’s husband, became emperor in 161 CE. She held the title of empress until her death in       175 CE.

(Historia Augusta, Life of Antoninus Pius, 12.4) (Historia Augusta, Life of Marcus Aurelius, 7 & 26)

Marriages:

Marcus Aurelius (145 – 175 CE)

(Historia Augusta, Life of Marcus Aurelius, 7 & 26)

Children: Faustina and Marcus Aurelius had thirteen children together. Only six survived till adulthood.

Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla (daughter)

Annia Aurelia Galeria Faustina (daughter)

Annia Aurelia Fadilla (daughter)

​​Annia Cornificia Faustina Minor (daughter)

Lucius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus (son)

Vibia Aurelia Sabina (daughter)

Death:

Faustina died in 175 CE in Halala, a city in the Taurus Mountains in the province of Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey). The cause of her death is disputed. Some ancient historians believe she died of a sudden illness, while others claim she committed suicide.

(Historia Augusta, Life of Marcus Aurelius, 26) (Cassius Dio, Roman History, 72.29)

Statue of Faustina Minor, Palazzo Massimo, Rome, February 2019
Portrait of Faustina Minor Copenhagen Glyptothek, Copenhagen, October 2018
Head of Faustina Minor, Palazzo Massimo, Rome, February 2018

Famous facts and dates

145
Faustina was married to Marcus Aurelius for thirty years and the two were extremely close. During his life, Marcus Aurelius gave Faustina several prestigious titles such as Augusta and Mater Castrorum (mother of the camp).
(Cassius Dio, Roman History, 72.10) (RIC III Marcus Aurelius 676)
175
Faustina may have inadvertently inspired a revolt against her husband. In 175 CE, a Roman general named Avidius Cassius declared himself emperor because he received news from Faustina that Marcus Aurelius was on his deathbed. Marcus Aurelius eventually recovered, and he marched against Cassius with his legions. However, before the two armies could meet, Cassius was assassinated by his soldiers.
(Cassius Dio, Roman History, 72.22 & 72.27)

 

175
Marcus Aurelius was extremely devoted to Faustina. After her death in 175 CE, he declared her a goddess, built her a temple, and founded a city in her honor.
(Historia Augusta, Life of Marcus Aurelius, 26)

 

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Cite this page as: Darius Arya, The American Institute for Roman Culture, “Faustina the Younger” Ancient Rome Live. Last modified 2/8/2022. https://ancientromelive.org/faustina2/

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