Empress Faustina the Younger at the Archaeological Museum of Venice

“Empress Faustina the Younger”

Sculpture – Marble (Height 54 cm) 161–170 AD

Faustina the Younger (125/130–175), daughter of Emperor Antoninus Pius, was married to Marcus Aurelius, her father’s adopted son and successor.

Faustina the Younger According to Antoninus, Emperor Hadrian, Faustina’s great-uncle, had initially planned to marry her to Lucius Verus.

But after Hadrian’s death, Antoninus Pius broke off Faustina’s engagement, and asked her to marry his adopted son and future emperor, Marcus Aurelius.

This is how she became empress and was granted the prestigious title of Augusta, in memory of Emperor Augustus.

Her involvement in the affairs of the Empire is confirmed by the fact that she accompanied Marcus Aurelius on his military campaigns.

This is why the Roman soldiers had nicknamed her ‘Mater Castorum’, the mother of the camps.

In 175, she died following an accident whilst at the military camp at Halala in Cappadocia, Turkey.

Faustina the Younger