The death of a Roman empress has long been shrouded in mystery and speculation. Some historians believe it was suicide, while others suggest it could have been an accident or even assassination.
One of the most intriguing theories is that her own husband, the emperor, may have been involved in her demise. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating story of the empress’s death and explore the evidence surrounding the controversial theory that Marcus Aurelius played a role in it.
Join us as we uncover the truth behind one of ancient Rome’s most enduring mysteries.
Did Marcus Aurelius Kill Faustina
The question of whether Marcus Aurelius was involved in the death of his wife, the empress, is a contentious one. While there is no concrete evidence to support the theory, some historians have pointed to certain factors that suggest the possibility.
One of the main arguments in favor of the theory is the fact that Faustina died while accompanying her husband on a military campaign. Some have suggested that this was a convenient opportunity for Marcus Aurelius to eliminate his wife without arousing suspicion.
Another factor that has been cited is the emperor’s stoic philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of duty and self-control. Some have argued that Marcus Aurelius may have seen his wife’s behavior as a threat to his own reputation and felt compelled to take action.
However, there are also many reasons to doubt the theory. For one thing, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that Marcus Aurelius was involved in his wife’s death. Additionally, the emperor was known for his devotion to his family and it seems unlikely that he would have taken such drastic action against his own wife.
Furthermore, there are other plausible explanations for Faustina’s death. She was known to suffer from health problems and it is possible that she died from natural causes or an accident.
Introduction To Faustina And Marcus Aurelius
Faustina the Younger was the wife of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, and together they had at least 11 children, including the future emperor Commodus. Faustina was an important figure in Roman history during the 2nd century AD, and was commemorated extensively in visual media such as sculpture and coinage during her lifetime. She was engaged to marry Lucius Verus at a young age, but her father ended the engagement and arranged for her to marry her maternal cousin, Marcus Aurelius, after Hadrian’s death. Faustina bore Marcus at least 12 children, and was given the title augusta by the Senate after her first child was born.
Marcus Aurelius was known for his stoic philosophy, which emphasized duty and self-control. He was a devoted family man, and it seems unlikely that he would have taken drastic action against his own wife without concrete evidence or a compelling reason. However, the question of whether he was involved in Faustina’s death remains contentious among historians. Some argue that her death while accompanying Marcus Aurelius on a military campaign was a convenient opportunity for him to eliminate her without arousing suspicion.
While there is no concrete evidence to support this theory, it is important to consider all possibilities when examining the life and death of historical figures like Faustina and Marcus Aurelius. In the following sections, we will explore different perspectives on this controversial topic to gain a better understanding of what may have happened to Faustina.
The Death Of Faustina: Suicide, Accident, Or Murder?
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, some historians have suggested that Faustina’s death may have been the result of suicide, accident, or even murder by someone other than Marcus Aurelius.
One theory is that Faustina may have taken her own life due to personal troubles or depression. However, there is no clear evidence to support this theory.
Another possibility is that Faustina’s death was accidental. This could have been the result of a fall or other mishap while on the military campaign with her husband.
Finally, some have suggested that Faustina may have been murdered by someone other than Marcus Aurelius. This could have been the result of political intrigue or personal vendettas.
The Theory Of Marcus Aurelius’ Involvement
Despite the lack of concrete evidence, some historians have suggested that Marcus Aurelius may have been involved in his wife’s death. One theory is that Faustina’s behavior may have been seen as a threat to the emperor’s reputation and he felt compelled to take action. As a stoic philosopher, Marcus Aurelius placed great emphasis on duty and self-control, which could have led him to view his wife’s actions as a personal failure. Additionally, the fact that Faustina died while accompanying her husband on a military campaign has led some to speculate that this was a convenient opportunity for Marcus Aurelius to eliminate his wife without arousing suspicion. However, it is important to note that there is no concrete evidence to support this theory and there are other plausible explanations for Faustina’s death. Ultimately, the true cause of her death remains unknown.
Evidence Supporting The Theory
While there is no definitive evidence to support the theory that Marcus Aurelius was involved in his wife’s death, some historians have pointed to certain factors that suggest the possibility. One of the main arguments in favor of the theory is the fact that Faustina died while accompanying her husband on a military campaign. This would have provided Marcus Aurelius with a convenient opportunity to eliminate his wife without arousing suspicion, as they were in a remote location and surrounded by soldiers who were loyal to the emperor.
Another factor that has been cited is Marcus Aurelius’ stoic philosophy. Stoicism emphasizes the importance of duty and self-control, and some have argued that Marcus Aurelius may have seen his wife’s behavior as a threat to his own reputation and felt compelled to take action. Faustina was known for her extravagant lifestyle and her involvement in various scandals, which may have reflected poorly on her husband’s leadership.
However, it is important to note that there are also many reasons to doubt the theory. For one thing, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that Marcus Aurelius was involved in his wife’s death. Additionally, the emperor was known for his devotion to his family and it seems unlikely that he would have taken such drastic action against his own wife.
Furthermore, there are other plausible explanations for Faustina’s death. She was known to suffer from health problems and it is possible that she died from natural causes or an accident. Cassius Dio tells us that she either died from gout or killed herself to avoid punishment for conspiring with a provincial governor to overthrow her husband. This charge was almost certainly false and, in any case, Marcus was so lenient in dealing with the rebellion that he regretted the death of Cassius and certainly would never have punished his own wife. The Historia Augusta says she died from a sudden illness.
Counterarguments And Alternative Theories
Despite the arguments in favor of the theory that Marcus Aurelius killed Faustina, there are several counterarguments and alternative theories that should be considered.
One possibility is that Faustina died from natural causes. As mentioned above, she was known to have health problems and it is possible that her death was simply a result of her poor health.
Another theory is that Faustina died in an accident. Given that she was accompanying her husband on a military campaign, it is possible that she was killed or injured during battle or while traveling.
It is also worth noting that the sources that suggest Marcus Aurelius was involved in his wife’s death are largely unreliable. Many of these sources were written long after the events in question and may have been influenced by political or personal biases.
Conclusion: What Really Happened To Faustina?
In conclusion, while the question of whether Marcus Aurelius was involved in the death of his wife, Faustina, remains a topic of debate among historians, there is no concrete evidence to support the theory that he had a role in her demise. While some have pointed to factors such as the emperor’s stoic philosophy and Faustina’s behavior as potential motives for foul play, there are also many reasons to doubt these claims. Faustina’s health problems and the possibility of natural causes or accidents also provide plausible explanations for her death. Ultimately, the truth behind Faustina’s passing may never be fully known, but it is important to approach this historical question with an open mind and a critical eye towards the available evidence.
