Chapters
In Roman forums, monuments once stood, immortalizing her likeness: a beautiful face, a proud profile, hair carefully braided into an intricate hairstyle. Faustina the Younger, the wife of Marcus Aurelius, was a figure who went down in history not only as an empress, but as a woman who managed to find harmony between duty and passion in difficult times. Some adored her, others whispered, attributing numerous scandals to her. Who was she really?
Promise of Marriage to Verus
Faustina was born in 125 CE, the daughter of Antoninus Pius and Faustina the Elder. From a young age, she was prepared to be the emperor’s wife. It was originally planned that her husband would be Lucius Verus, her father’s adopted son. Fate, however, had other plans – political calculations required Faustina to marry another adopted son of Antoninus, Marcus Aurelius. Many years later, Lucius Verus became Faustina’s son-in-law, marrying her daughter, Lucilla.
Love, Intellect and Art
The marriage to Marcus Aurelius was an unusual union. Although the ruler was considered a philosopher and a man who valued Stoic principles, Faustina brought a lightness and love of art to their relationship. Together they shared a passion for literature, theatre and Greco-Roman culture, which strengthened their bond. She was not only a wife, but also a confidante, and their correspondence and conversations – as some sources claim – covered both state affairs and philosophical dilemmas.
Faustina continued the traditions of other ladies, accompanying Marcus Aurelius on numerous expeditions. In difficult camp conditions, she created an atmosphere reminiscent of home – she was responsible for organizing everyday life, taking care of morale, and even caring for the soldiers. Thanks to her, the imperial camps were places where warriors could feel a semblance of normality, which earned her respect and envy.
In the shadow of conspiracies and gossip
However, there were also darker aspects to her life. Faustina was credited with affairs with handsome sailors or gladiators. Chroniclers did not spare accusations, probably exaggerated, about her promiscuity.
In 175 CE, one of the greatest crises in Faustina’s life occurred – the rebellion of Gaius Avidius Cassius. Cassius, a loyal general of Marcus Aurelius, declared himself emperor, claiming that he had received Faustina’s support.
Some ancient historians suggest that Faustina and Cassius may have been connected not only by political interests, but also by a romance. Although there is no clear evidence for this, the accusation contributed to her downfall in the eyes of many Romans.
Death
Faustina died in 175 CE in a military camp in Asia Minor, shortly after the suppression of Cassius’s rebellion. Officially, her death was attributed to illness, but there is no shortage of speculation that it may have been suicide. Her involvement in the rebellion, as well as rumours of an affair with Cassius, may have driven her to desperation. Another theory is that Marcus Aurelius, despite his love for his wife, yielded to pressure from the aristocracy and may have forced her to make this decision to avoid further scandal.
Later, the emperor himself not only paid homage to her but also made her a goddess – her cult was to symbolize the virtues of the imperial wife. Cities in the empire bore her name, and her charitable work, including a foundation supporting widows and orphans, became part of the legacy of the Antonine dynasty.
Record-breaking mother of the empire
Faustina the Younger gave birth to at least 13 children, making her one of the most prolific empresses in history. Her offspring became a symbol of the success of the Antonine dynasty, but also a source of tragedy. Of Faustina’s children, only five survived to adulthood. One of them was Commodus, who became emperor after his father’s death.
His mother had a huge influence on him, both through her lifestyle and the way she dealt with the pressures of being an empress. Faustina was a passionate and strong-willed person, which may have shaped the character of the young Commodus. However, her reputation, full of rumours of affairs and intrigues, may also have contributed to his mental instability and brutal rule.
Inheritance
Faustina the Younger was a complex figure: mother, wife, empress, and a woman whose life oscillated between great deeds and controversial episodes. For some, she was the embodiment of virtue, for others – a symbol of human weakness. Regardless of the assessments, her story continues to inspire and intrigue, revealing the lights and shadows of life at the top of Roman power.
