Antinoan Connections: Goddesses and Antinous–Faustina the Elder

One of the most well-liked Empresses to ever live in the Roman Empire, Annia Galeria Faustina Maior or Faustina the Elder was the wife of the emperor Antoninus Pius, Hadrian’s second adopted successor. She was born on September 21 of c. 100 CE, and died sometime in October or November of 140, only two years after her husband’s accession to the principate. She was immediately deified by the grieving Antoninus Pius, commemorated with temples and a column, many coin issues, and even a charity for orphan girls in continuation of her own charitable works as a private citizen and empress. She was given the title Augusta immediately on the accession of her husband to the principate.

She was the aunt to the future emperor Marcus Aurelius, and as a result of Hadrian’s succession policy, she became his adoptive mother as well. She had four children: two sons who died before 138 and were interred in Hadrian’s Mausoleum, a daughter that also died by 135, and a further daughter who lived to adulthood, Annia Galeria Faustina Minor, who went on to marry Marcus Aurelius (so, Faustina the Elder was also his mother-in-law!). She was also related to Matidia and Sabina, and further to Appia Annia Regilla, the wife of Herodes Attikos.

She was an advocate of education for Roman girls, in addition to her other charitable activities. However, many ancient historical sources criticize her for having been excessively frank and having levity…which, I think, very few people today would say are detractions (unless they result in tactlessness and flightiness). Because she pre-deceased her husband by more than two decades, it must have been very difficult for Antoninus Pius to live without her, as their marriage was a happy one and she was so admired. The apotheosis relief depicting both Antoninus and Faustina is one of the few such reliefs that survives from ancient Rome (the other most famous one depicts the apotheosis of Diva Sabina)

Sagalassos in Turkey, the site which recently (2007) turned up a colossal statue of Hadrian, also produced a statue-head that is thought to be of Faustina the Elder.

As an extremely admirable and socially progressive woman and Diva, so important to the Antonine Dynasty and to Hadrian’s adopted successor, Faustina the Elder certainly deserves our devotion.

Ave Diva Faustina Augusta! Ave Dive Antonine Pie! Ave Ave Antinoe!