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PEOPLE AND PERSONALITIES OF ROME

Plotina

Key information:

Official Name: POMPEIA PLOTINA CLAUDIA PHOEBE PISO AUGUSTA

Birthdate: Circa 70 CE

Birthplace: Nemausus (modern-day Nîmes, France)

(Historia Augusta, Life of Hadrian, Part 1.12)

Reign: Trajan, Plotina’s husband, became emperor in 98 CE. She held the title of empress until his death in 117 CE. 

(Cassius Dio, Roman History, 68.5 & 68.33)

Marriages:

Trajan (? – 117 CE)

(Cassius Dio, Roman History, 68.5 & 68.33)

Death: Plotina died of natural causes around 122 CE.

(Cassius Dio, Roman History, 69.10)

Head of Plotina set in a later bust, Vatican Museums,  Vatican City, April 2017
Plotina set in a Cameo with Trajan, British Museum, July 2nd 2021
Sardonic Agate cameo of Trajan, Plotina Marciana and Matidia, Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, October 12th 2019

Famous facts and dates

100
In 100 CE, Plotina was given the prestigious title “augusta” by her husband Trajan.
RIC II Trajan 733 (denarius)
100
Plotina was very close to Hadrian, Trajan’s cousin. In 100 CE, she arranged Hadrian’s marriage to Vibia Sabina, Trajan’s niece. She also ensured that Hadrian succeeded Trajan as emperor after his death in 117 CE.
(Cassius Dio, Roman History, 69.1) (Historia Augusta, Life of Hadrian, Part 1.2 & Part 1.4)

 

122
After her death, Plotina was deified by Hadrian. He also had a temple built in her honor in the city of Nemausus (modern-day Nîmes, France).
(Historia Augusta, Life of Hadrian, Part 1.12) (Cassius Dio, Roman History, 69.10) 
RIC II, Part 3 (second edition) Hadrian 1419-1420

 

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Cite this page as: Darius Arya, The American Institute for Roman Culture, “Plotina” Ancient Rome Live. Last modified 12/10/2021. https://ancientromelive.org/plotina/

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