The life of a Roman emperor was often filled with political intrigue, military conquests, and personal scandals. One such emperor was known for his stoic philosophy and military victories, but also for his complicated love life.
In this article, we will explore the question of how many wives Marcus Aurelius had and delve into the fascinating stories behind his relationships. From arranged marriages to scandalous affairs, the life of this emperor is sure to captivate and intrigue readers.
So, let’s dive into the world of ancient Rome and uncover the truth about Marcus Aurelius’ romantic entanglements.
How Many Wives Did Marcus Aurelius Have
Marcus Aurelius had only one wife throughout his life. He married her at the age of 25, and they remained together until her death. However, their marriage was not without its challenges.
Marcus Aurelius’ wife was a member of the imperial family, and their marriage was arranged for political reasons. Despite this, they grew to love each other deeply and had many children together.
Introduction To Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor who lived during the 2nd century AD. He is widely regarded as one of the most famous and influential Stoic philosophers, and his writings on philosophy and ethics have been studied and admired for centuries. In addition to his philosophical contributions, Marcus Aurelius is also known for his role as the last of the Five Good Emperors of Rome, a group of rulers who were known for their humanity, competence, and authority. Despite facing numerous challenges during his reign, including wars, plagues, and political turmoil, Marcus Aurelius is remembered as a wise and virtuous leader who guided the empire with wisdom and compassion. His personal life was also marked by love and devotion to his wife, whom he married at a young age and remained faithful to until her death. Overall, Marcus Aurelius’ life and legacy continue to inspire people around the world to pursue wisdom, virtue, and a life well-lived.
The Roman Emperor’s Early Life And Marriage
Marcus Aurelius was born in 121 AD to a prominent Roman family. His father, Marcus Annius Verus, was a praetor and his mother, Domitia Calvilla, was an heiress. However, his father died when he was only three years old, and he was raised by his mother and grandfather.
As a young boy, Marcus was introduced to philosophy and studied under renowned tutors such as Herodes Atticus and Marcus Cornelius Fronto. He became well-versed in Greek and Latin and developed a deep understanding of Stoic philosophy, which would influence his reign as emperor.
At the age of 25, Marcus married his cousin Annia Galeria Faustina, the daughter of his predecessor Antoninus Pius. Their marriage was arranged for political reasons, but they grew to love each other deeply. Together they had at least 12 children, including Commodus who would succeed Marcus as emperor.
Despite their love for each other, their marriage faced challenges. There were rumors of marital problems within the immediate family of Aurelius, but these were never confirmed. Faustina died in 175 AD, and Marcus was devastated by her loss. He declared her a goddess, built her a temple, and founded a city in her honor.
The Arranged Marriage To Faustina The Younger
Faustina the Younger was the daughter of the Roman emperor Antoninus Pius and Annia Galeria Faustina the Elder. She was officially betrothed to Lucius Verus at a young age, but the engagement was ended by her father in favor of a new arrangement. Faustina was then betrothed to her maternal cousin, Marcus Aurelius, who was also adopted by her father.
Their marriage was arranged for political reasons, as was common among aristocratic families in ancient Rome. However, despite the arranged nature of their union, they grew to love each other deeply. Faustina bore Marcus at least 12 children, and they remained together until her death.
Their marriage was not without its challenges, as there were rumors of Faustina having affairs with other men, including her first husband Lucius Verus. Despite these rumors, Marcus remained devoted to his wife and even had her proclaimed “mother of the camp” for accompanying him on military campaigns.
Marcus Aurelius’ Scandalous Affair With His Niece
While Marcus Aurelius remained faithful to his wife throughout their marriage, there were rumors of a scandalous affair with his own niece. The rumors claimed that Marcus Aurelius had fallen in love with his niece, and that they had engaged in an adulterous relationship.
These rumors were likely created by those who opposed Marcus Aurelius and his family, and there is no concrete evidence to support them. However, if they were true, it would have been a major scandal in Roman society.
Incestuous relationships were frowned upon in ancient Rome, and such a scandal would have brought shame upon Marcus Aurelius and his family. It is also possible that such a scandal could have had political repercussions for Marcus Aurelius, as it would have damaged his reputation and credibility as a leader.
Despite the rumors of the scandalous affair with his niece, Marcus Aurelius remained a respected leader throughout his reign. He was known for his wisdom and philosophical teachings, and is still revered today as one of the greatest Roman emperors of all time.
The Tragic Death Of Faustina The Younger
One of the most tragic events in Marcus Aurelius’ life was the death of his beloved wife, Faustina the Younger. She was rumored to have committed adultery with a gladiator, which caused a great scandal in the Roman Empire. While these rumors were likely false and spread by her enemies, they became a lasting part of Faustina’s legacy.
According to legend, Faustina fell in love with a gladiator despite being married to Marcus Aurelius. Gladiators were seen as sex symbols in Roman times, and wealthy women often hired them as bodyguards or had affairs with them. When Marcus Aurelius found out about the affair, he took an unusual approach. He had the gladiator executed and forced Faustina to “bathe in his blood” as a way to renew passion between them.
Despite this gruesome act, Faustina and Marcus Aurelius remained together. However, their marriage was further complicated by Faustina’s father, who ended her betrothal to another man and arranged for her to marry Marcus Aurelius instead. Additionally, their marriage was taboo by today’s standards since they were cousins and technically adopted siblings.
Faustina was known for her intelligence and generosity as an empress. She supported the education of Roman children, particularly girls, and was seen as a goddess of wisdom by many women. When she died in 140 AD, Antoninus Pius was heartbroken. Their love had improved his rule, and without her charm, intelligence, and lovely personality, he was not the same man.
The death of Faustina the Younger was a tragedy that deeply affected Marcus Aurelius. Despite their challenges and controversies, their love for each other remained strong until the end of her life.
Marcus Aurelius’ Marriage To His Niece Annia Galeria Faustina Minor
Marcus Aurelius’ wife was Annia Galeria Faustina Minor, also known as Faustina the Younger. She was the daughter of Antoninus Pius, who was Marcus Aurelius’ uncle and predecessor as emperor. Faustina was engaged to marry Lucius Verus at the command of Emperor Hadrian. However, after Hadrian’s death, Antoninus Pius engaged Faustina to Marcus Aurelius, who was her cousin.
Their marriage took place in 145 when Faustina was around 15 years old. She bore Marcus Aurelius at least 12 children, of whom six survived her. Faustina was a loyal companion to her husband and accompanied him on several of his military campaigns. In recognition of her support, Marcus Aurelius had her proclaimed “mother of the camp” (mater castrorum) in 174.
Despite their strong bond, their marriage was not without controversy. There were rumors that Faustina had been unfaithful to Marcus Aurelius and had encouraged the rebellion of Gaius Avidius Cassius. However, Marcus Aurelius ignored these rumors and had her deified upon her death in 175.
In conclusion, Marcus Aurelius had only one wife throughout his life, and their marriage was a political arrangement that grew into a deep love. Despite challenges and rumors, they remained devoted to each other until Faustina’s death.
