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A Mother-Daughter Power Team: How Did Two Faustinas Transform Roman Society?

A Mother-Daughter Power Team: How Did Two Faustinas Transform Roman Society?

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If you think that girl power is a modern idea from songs created in the 90s, you should read the story of a mother and daughter whose bright minds and dose of independence had a remarkable impact on ancient Rome. While their husbands ruled as emperors, the two women were changing the world they knew into a better one. Moreover, the eternal fame they gained placed them in the pantheon of goddesses.

Let's be honest, being an empress in Rome wasn’t an easy task. Apart from the pressure to provide a heir, the ruler’s wife had to fight against countless dangers. Two women who lived during the 2nd century AD proved that being the wife of the most powerful man in the empire is not only a dangerous task, but also a generous gift - which could bring many benefits.

The 2nd century AD was one of the glorious times in the history of the Roman Empire. The reigns of Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius affected the future of the world, but two of the most significant people of their lives were women known by the same name – Faustina. These two extraordinary women created an enclave of intelligence and open minded discussions that affected the entire Empire.

Faustina the Elder, The Mother Goddess

Annia Galeria Faustina, in history known as Faustina the Elder (or Faustina I) was born on February 16, 100 AD as a daughter of the Consul and prefect Marcus Annius Verus and the noblewoman Rupilia Faustina. Her family was related to the famous emperor Trajan. 

Faustina received a good education - which made her more than just an incubator for royal children. Her intelligence made her the passion, desire, and fascination of her husband, Antoninus Pius. The couple got married around 110 AD.

Bust of Faustina in the Musei Capitolini (side view; note the distinctive hairstyle).

Bust of Faustina in the Musei Capitolini (side view; note the distinctive hairstyle). (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Faustina was known as a generous empress; whose heart was always open to the poor. She created a system of sponsoring the education of Roman children whose parents couldn't afford the cost. She was mostly interested in supporting the education of girls. Due to this fact, Faustina had a massive support of women who saw her as a goddess of wisdom and someone who opened the cages on “marital slavery.”

''Since there is no description of Faustina's appearance, we have no idea if her portraits bear any close relationship to the way she really looked. There must have been an attempt to prompt and immediate identification between her actual appearances in public (if only for a few years, and later as effigies, seen from a distance) and her artistic representations, but the mechanical reproduction of imperial portraits warns against seeing them as direct imitations. The administration in Rome sent out miniature templates of her profile for the die-cutters of coins and medals and models for sculptors and painters. The copying of these models in the provinces produced series of nearly identical Faustina portraits on conventional body types for ''empress' established by the first Augusta, Livia, a century and a half before.  Livia, in turn, had been inspired by the images of Hellenistic queens, whose individualized heads often were combined with the classical bodies of Greek goddesses.'' (Bettina Bergmannand Wandy, M. Watson)

When Faustina died in 140, Antoninus was heartbroken. The records related to her demise show the real love that connected these two people. It was known that her wisdom improved his rule, and without her charm, intelligence, and lovely personality he wasn't the same man.

Bust of Antoninus Pius, at Glyptothek, Munich

Bust of Antoninus Pius, at Glyptothek, Munich. (Public Domain)

Faustina and Antoninus had four children. Sadly, most of them died very young. Two sons, Marcus Aurelius Fulvius Antoninus and Marcus Galerius Aurelius Antoninus died before 138. Also, the daughter Aurelia Fadilla, who married Aelius Lamia Silvanus or Syllanus, died in 135. The only daughter that survived married her cousin - Marcus Aurelius. She soon followed in her mother’s footsteps.

Faustina the Younger, An Empress Whose Fame is Eternal like Rome

Annia Galeria Faustina Minor, known as Faustina the Younger or Faustina II, grew up in her parents’ court. Her mother taught her to be brave and to read a lot. Her political and intellectual skills were unique. She married Marcus Aurelius, who later became a famous emperor and philosopher, in April or May 145. It seems that these two people were a perfect match for each other. Both were intellectually prepared for a demanding life and were able to realize extraordinary visions for their kingdom.

Faustina the Younger.

Faustina the Younger. (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Sadly, not too many details about their relationship (or the life of Faustina the Younger in general) have survived until now. However, it is known that her relationship with Aurelius was adamant. Even when she was accused of supporting the revolt against the emperor, he was by her side. She was his company in philosophical analysis and during military campaigns. She followed her husband to many parts of the empire. She wasn't a burden and her bravery brought her an enormous amount of respect from the soldiers. It appears that she had a tremendous impact on the strength of the Emperor’s protectors. Faustina was her husband’s most faithful servant, but also a woman who was strong enough to stand up for equality between men and women.

Faustina the Younger influenced the reign of Aurelius with an interest in the fate of the poor and women. She made her opinions known. Apart from being an active politician and empress, she used her skills as a model wife. She bore thirteen children, including the famous Lucilla and Commodus. The number of children made her very respected in the Empire but it didn't take away from her intellectual pursuits. She continued her mother’s remarkable mission. Her busy life was stopped by death when Faustina was about 45 years old. Similar to Antoninus. Aurelius mentally collapsed after her demise.

Bust of Marcus Aurelius in the Musée Saint-Raymond, Toulouse, France.

Bust of Marcus Aurelius in the Musée Saint-Raymond, Toulouse, France. (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Remembering the Faustinas

The Mother and daughter Faustinas became a part of the glorious past of the Roman Empire. They were model wives, but also extraordinary influencers in their husbands’ courts. Their understanding for women’s needs transformed the lives of Roman ladies. Their bright minds allowed them to become respected and included as deities after death. Nowadays, coins dedicated to both women are still very popular in the market.

Faustina the Younger

Faustina the Younger (CC BY-SA 3.0)

A denarius struck in honor of Faustina Major.

A denarius struck in honor of Faustina Major. (CC BY-SA 2.5)

In ancient times, women liked to have these coins depicting the Faustinas and they treated them like amulets. It was believed the two Faustinas could bring them happiness, wealth, and good luck. Many people still think about these two Faustinas with the esteem they deserve.

Top image: [left] Faustina the Younger. (CC BY-SA 3.0) [right] Faustina Major (CC BY 3.0)

By Natalia Klimczak

References:

Aleksander Krawczuk, Poczet Cesarzowych Rzymu, 1998.

Anthony R. Birley, Marcus Aurelius: A Biography, 1966.

Annelise Freisenbruch, The First Ladies of Rome: The Women Behind the Caesars, 2010.

Marcus Aurelius, available at:
http://www.roman-emperors.org/marcaur.htm

Antoninus Pius, available at:
http://www.roman-emperors.org/tonypis.htm

Faustina the Younger, "Mater Castrorum" by Mary T.Boatwright, available at:
https://www.academia.edu/9874004/Faustina_the_Younger_Mater_Castrorum_

The Moon and the Stars: Afterlife of a Roman Empress (Faustina the Elder) by Bettina Bergmannand Wandy M. Watson, available at:
https://www.academia.edu/2152702/The_Moon_and_the_Stars_Afterlife_of_a_Roman_Empress_Faustina_the_Elder

 

Comments

"The couple got married around 110 BC."

Making them the oldest Romans who ever lived.

Natalia

Natalia Klimczak is an historian, journalist and writer and is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at the Faculty of Languages, University of Gdansk. Natalia does research in Narratology, Historiography, History of Galicia (Spain) and Ancient History of Egypt, Rome and Celts. She... Read More

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