Faustina the Younger: Misunderstood victim?

[guy]

I recently watched on the History Channel a well-done program,

Edited November 12, 2008 by guy

[Caesar CXXXVII]

I hope this helps - "Generatoins of male historians have maligned his wife, Faustina, while contributing to the apotheosis of Marcus Aurelius . Faustina, so the gossip goes, strayed from the conjugal embraces of her platitudinous husband (as what woman of spirit would not?) and sought felicity in a society less odorous of tuberoses and calla lilies" (prometheans: Ancient and Modern, By Burton Rascoe, Published by Kessinger Publishing, 2005) .

 

If so, the History channel was right !

[ASCLEPIADES]

Am I missing something or was she really a misunderstood victim of her times? I had always thought the na

Edited December 1, 2008 by ASCLEPIADES

[caldrail]

The reputation of Faustina the Younger stems from gossip of her contemporaries. Commodus was so unlike his father in build and temperament, never mind his inclination to fight as a gladiator, who were after all social scumbags by custom. Emperors posturing in the arena was nothing new. Caligula had done so, and had reportedly deliberately killed a helpless sparring partner with considerable glee. Claudius, did not, but was known for his fascination with gladiators, having the swords of fallen men retrieved and turned into pocket knives. Nero of course was not so inclined toward combat, but he did srut his stuff in a chariot for nothing else than self-aggrandisement.

 

Commodus took this to an entirely new level. The public were hugely interested in the arena in this period, it was big business, and the sight of an emperor who reputedly fought 735 times (mostly beast hunts) was to roman eyes extraordinary. Commodus of course understood the entertainment value, and it suited his personality to portray himself as a virile hero despite any social mores to the contrary. Roman superstitions also arose with gladiators (as claudius demonstrated) in that association with them was supposed to be beneficial. A woman being married should have her hair parted with a gladiators spear for instance. Good luck charms and so forth.

 

So when Commodus appears frequently in the arena it naturally gives rise to speculation. Surely the philosophical Marcus Aurelius could not have sired such a violent man? It was not unusual for women of quality to attend the training schools, usually covertly, in order to meet their favourite fighter or indulge themselves at the palus playing the role. It isn't so suprising them that gossip about Faustina's activities - and in Rome, nothing escapes somebodies notice - linked Commodus as the bastard son of an unnamed gladiator.

 

Is Faustina guilty? I don't know. Nor did any roman with any certainty (except perhaps that forgotten fighter). What is clear is that her behaviour invited such comment. Since her husband and his civic duties seem to have bored her, never mind his absences dealing with foreign incursions and such, it might not be so far-fetched.

[ASCLEPIADES]

Writing almost a century later, the emperor Julianus (aka Apostate) is a frequently overlooked source on this period.

Edited December 1, 2008 by ASCLEPIADES