Influential Roman Matrons

Livilla

13

She was born in 13 BC. And also was the sister of emperor Claudius. Later on she was expected to become empress with Gaius but he was killed. Livilla's fame was mainly from an affair with Senjanus and attempt with him to take power. She was at the time married to Tiberius's son, Drusus. Livilla and Senjanus were later found that they had poisoned Drusus.

Agripinna the younger

Period: 15 to 59

When Agripinna married her uncle, she became the mother of Nero. Then one day she became exiled in 39 but return in 41. In 49 she was suspected of poisoning her husband. After Agripinna survived being washed away at sea, her own son carried an order to kill her in a county house.

Fulvia

40

Fulvia had lived out the last exciting days of the Roman Republic. She even defended for husband from Cicero's linguistic attack. After her husband was beheaded, she stabbed his tongue with a hairpin after all he had said to her. Then she married Marc Antony and was seen as his partner in political career. Fulvia was on day left in charge of the city while

Horntensia

42

She was an orator. And had the biggest impact with a speech she gave before the Second Triumvirate in 42 BC. Women came with Horntensia to the forum as representatives. Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus were not happy, but they went through with Horntensia. With her speech only 400 Roman matrons were taxed.

Livia Drusilla

58

Born on January 30, 58 BC, was Livia Drusilla. She was also known as Julia Augusta. Livia married Caesar Augusta but then was divorced. Then she has married her cousin and had a child.

Cornelia Africana

100

Cornelia was the daughter of Scipio Adricanus. When she married, she gave birth to 12 children over the years. Sadly only 3 had survived. After the death of her husband she did not remarry. Then she took over the education for her children. Finally she died at the age of 90 in 100 BC.

Aurelia Cotta

Period: 120 to 54

Cotta lived 120 BC to 54. She was the mother of Julius Caesar. Cotta had also raised her granddaughter. She was considered intelligent and independent. One day, Cotta headed a petition that saved her son.

Lucilla

Period: 150 to 183

Lucilla had lived around 150. Her father was emperor Marcus Aurelius. Then she married her father's co-ruler Lucius Verus. One day, Lucia plotted to murder Commodus. She, her daughter, and cousin were executed in 182 AD.

Julia Domna

217

Julia is the elder sister of Julia Maesa. Domna had many titles when she lived. One of them was,"Mother of Army Camps."The second title was,"Mother of the Senate and of the fatherland."She was left in charge while Caracalla was on a campaign. When Domna found out the death of her husband it is said that she starved herself.

Julia Soaemias

222

She was the mother of Roman emperor, Elagabalus. Julia was also the niece of Julia Domna. Over the years Soemias was a political tool for her mother, Julia Maesa. Soemias also did not teach her son well in government. And she shamelessly took many lovers in public for herself.

Julia Maesa

224

Maesa was born to the hereditary high priest Bassianus in Emesa in Syria. She was also the sister-in-law to Roman emperor, Septimius Severus. Also a relative of Julia Domna. After she married Roman senator, Gaius Julius Avitus Alexianus, Maesa became a great influence in the government. Thanks to that influence it made two of her grandsons emperor.

Julia Mamaea

235

Mamaea was the mother of Roman emperor, Severus Alexander. Elagabalus adopted Alexander as his heir. Julia acted as regent for her son with advice of 16 council senators. She was condemned for excessive meddling with government. Mamaea and her son were both killed by Roman soldiers in 235 BC

Ulpia Severina

270

Ulpia was married to emperor Aurelian and was made to Augusta. They had given birth to a child named Ulpius Critinus. After Ulpia's husband died she ruled all by herself and had outlived Aurelian.

Aelia Pulcheria

Period: 399 to 346

Roman emperor Flavius Ardadius and Eudoxia on January 19, 399 BC, had a child named Aelia Pulcheria. She is the elder sister of Theodoius II, who was an eastern Roman emperor. Aelia had helped build many churches and after she died at the age of 53, all her possessions were left to the poor.

Theodora

527

Theodora was actually not born in an upper class. She was raised in a religious family. Then one day she had married to Justinian, heir to the throne. Theodora became a powerful presence in the court. She even improved rights for the women in the empire. One day a riot was coming, but she refused to flee. She and her husband stayed to fight.