Roman Matrons

Lucretia

509 BCE

Lucretia was married to Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus, but was raped by Sextus Tarquinius. Because of this she stabbed herself to death which caused a rebellion that drove the Tarquins from Rome. This also caused the roman kingdom to transition into an empire in 509 B.C.

Claudia Quinta

204 BCE

Claudia Quinta brought the goddess Cybele in 204 b.c. by towing a ship to shore by praying to a goddess. She was known as one of the most purest and most virtuous into Rome.

Cornelia

154 BCE

Cornelia was known as the Mother of Gracchi because she had 12 children and gave birth ti the famous Gracchi brothers.Her husband passed away in 154 B.C. and that is when she devoted her life to her children.

Fulvia

83 BCE

Fulvia was born in 83 B.C. She married Publius Clodius Pulcher and Gaius Scribonius Curio, but was deeply in love with Mark Antony. She conspired with Lucius Antonius against Octavian and died in Sicyon Greece.

Porcia

42 BCE

Porcia was the daughter of Cato. She was the only women that knew about the assassination by proving she would not tell conspiracies even under torture. After she found out her husband had died she killed herself in 42 B.C.

Hortensia

42 BCE

Hotensia was the daughter of Quintus Hortensius. She spoke against taxing women for wars they had no part in. She spoke against it in 42 b.c. The triumvirs were mad about the speechbut reduced the taxes.

Octavia the Younger

40 BCE

Octavia was Octavian's older sister who he highly respected. She married Mark Antony in 40 b.c. after her first husband died. She was the negotiator for Antony and Octavian.

Aurelia Cotta

12 BCE

Aurelia was born in 120 b.c. and died in 54 b.c. She was the mother of Julius Ceasar and also raised his daughter after his wife passed away. She was known for for being intelligent and independent.

Agrippina the Elder

29

Agrippina the Elder was the granddaughter of Augusts. Her and Tiberius had many conflicts that led to her being banished on false charges in 29 a.d.and lost an eye from abuse.

Agrippina the Younger

39

Agrippina the Younger was emperor Nero's mother. She was very much involved in making Nero the emperor because of this he hated his mother and exiled her in 39 a.d. but came back in 41 a.d. Nero executed her in 59 a.d.

Valeria Messalina

49

Valeria Messalina was a cousin of Nero. She married Claudius in 49 A.D. and used his affection to get whatever she wanted.

Livia Drusilla

58

Livia Drusilla was married to emperor Augustus for 51 years and they had Tiberius. After Augustus died she and her descendants held the throne. After Livia died she was claimed to become the goddess, The Divine Augusta.

Claudia Octavia

62

Claudia Octavia was the dauhter of the Emperor Claudius. Her siblings were Britannicus and Claudia Antonia. Claudia was emperor Nero's first wife. She died in 62 A.D.

Julia Domna

193

Julia's father was Julius Bassianus. After she married Emperor Septimius Severus, they had two sons, Caracalla and Geta. She earned the title of Mater Castrorum in 193 A.D.

Julia Soaemias

204

Julia was born in Apamea, Syria. She was known as the mother of the saecular festival of 204.

Julia Maesa

218

Julia Maesa was the sister in law of Septimius Severus. After Macrinus died she induced the Syrian legions to make her grandson, Elagabalus, emperor.

Helena

250

Helena was very kind and a christian which made her known to be a saint. Her son was the first christian emperor. She was born in 250.

Ulpia Severina

275

After her husband, Aurelien, passed awayin 275, Ulpia was the forst women emperor for quite some time. After her ruling she helped choose the next emperor

Aelia Pulcheria

414

Aelia Pulcheria was born on January 19, 399. She was a very devout christian that spent all her wealth on the church. She took a vow of virginity so she could not be forced into marriage. In 414 the Senate made her empress and regent for her brother.

Theodora

527

Theodora was not born in high society, her mother was an actress and her father was a bear trainer. She married Justinian with many legal difficulties. Theodora's reign was from 527-548 A.D. She was known for being very powerful and persuasive in court.