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Faustina the Elder

From open-encyclopedia.com - the free encyclopedia.

Annia Galeria Faustina, "the Elder", (died c. 140) was the wife of the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, an aunt of Marcus Aurelius, and mother of Faustina the Younger.

She was the daughter of the consul Marcus Annius Verus, and married Antoninus around 110 AD. They had two sons and two daughters. She became Augusta upon the accession of her husband.

Although the (late and unreliable) Augustan History impugned her character, criticizing her for "excessive frankness" and "levity", she and Antoninus seem to have been happily married until her death in 140 or 141; Antoninus consecrated her and created a new alimenta (charity), the Puellae Faustinianae, in her name.

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