Matidia Minor
Encyclopedia
Mindia Matidia or Matidia Minor (Minor Latin for the younger, 85-after 161) was related to several important ancient Roman Emperor
s. The modern village of Matigge
Italy
, is named after her.
Matidia Minor was the daughter of Salonina Matidia
from her second marriage to the unattested Roman Aristocrat Lucius Mindius
. Her mother was a niece to Roman Emperor Trajan
. Her half-sister Vibia Sabina
, would be future Empress and wife to Roman Emperor Hadrian
. Hadrian was also her third cousin.
After her father’s death in 85, Matidia along with her half-sisters lived with their grandmother, mother and were raised in the household of Trajan, his wife Pompeia Plotina
and her stepfather. Matidia never received the title of Augusta, nor did she ever marry or have any children (which was unusual at the time). Yet she was a very wealthy, cultured and influential woman.
Trajan gave her a villa where is modern Matigge
, Italy. Due to this villa, the city became known in Latin as Insula Matidiae (modern Matigge, Italy
). Matidia became competent in her affairs and when her sister became Empress she would often travel with her and her brother-in-law.
Matidia paid for the restoration of the theatre of Sessa Aurunca
which was probably damaged by an earthquake during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius
(138
-161
). Her generosity was commemorated with a statue here.
Matidia lived to an advanced age and outlived most of her relatives. She was very close to her great-nephew, Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and his family, in her latter years. Marcus Aurelius would sometimes allow his daughters to stay with his great-aunt.
Matidia, like many other childless women, "attracted a number of hangers-on who hoped to be remembered in her will". On her deathbed, they sealed her codicils
(additions to her will) assuring their validity and ensuring that they would inherit some of her substantial estate. From her will, various family members and associates received a million Sestertius
(an ancient Roman coin currency), her estate and various other items she had. The administrator of the estate was the Empress Faustina the Younger
.
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
s. The modern village of Matigge
Matigge
Matigge is a village of 1095 inhabitants in the Italian province of Perugia in east central Umbria, located at 294 m above sea-level on the lower flank of Mt. Puranno, 42°54N 12°44E...
Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, is named after her.
Matidia Minor was the daughter of Salonina Matidia
Salonina Matidia
Salonina Matidia was the daughter and only child of Ulpia Marciana and wealthy praetor Gaius Salonius Matidius Patruinus. Her maternal uncle was the Roman emperor Trajan. Trajan had no children and treated her like his daughter...
from her second marriage to the unattested Roman Aristocrat Lucius Mindius
Lucius Mindius
Lucius Mindius is an unattested Roman Aristocrat that lived in the Roman Empire in the second half of the 1st century. Mindius was a Roman Senator of Consular rank. Little is known on his origins. In 84, Mindius married a noblewoman called Salonina Matidia as her second husband and the niece of...
. Her mother was a niece to Roman Emperor Trajan
Trajan
Trajan , was Roman Emperor from 98 to 117 AD. Born into a non-patrician family in the province of Hispania Baetica, in Spain Trajan rose to prominence during the reign of emperor Domitian. Serving as a legatus legionis in Hispania Tarraconensis, in Spain, in 89 Trajan supported the emperor against...
. Her half-sister Vibia Sabina
Vibia Sabina
Vibia Sabina was a Roman Empress, wife and second cousin, once removed, to Roman Emperor Hadrian. She was the daughter to Salonina Matidia , and suffect consul Lucius Vibius Sabinus...
, would be future Empress and wife to Roman Emperor Hadrian
Hadrian
Hadrian , was Roman Emperor from 117 to 138. He is best known for building Hadrian's Wall, which marked the northern limit of Roman Britain. In Rome, he re-built the Pantheon and constructed the Temple of Venus and Roma. In addition to being emperor, Hadrian was a humanist and was philhellene in...
. Hadrian was also her third cousin.
After her father’s death in 85, Matidia along with her half-sisters lived with their grandmother, mother and were raised in the household of Trajan, his wife Pompeia Plotina
Pompeia Plotina
Pompeia Plotina Claudia Phoebe Piso or Pompeia Plotina was a Roman Empress and wife of Roman Emperor Trajan. She was renowned for her interest in philosophy, and her virtue, dignity and simplicity. She was particularly devoted to the Epicurean philosophical school in Athens, Greece...
and her stepfather. Matidia never received the title of Augusta, nor did she ever marry or have any children (which was unusual at the time). Yet she was a very wealthy, cultured and influential woman.
Trajan gave her a villa where is modern Matigge
Matigge
Matigge is a village of 1095 inhabitants in the Italian province of Perugia in east central Umbria, located at 294 m above sea-level on the lower flank of Mt. Puranno, 42°54N 12°44E...
, Italy. Due to this villa, the city became known in Latin as Insula Matidiae (modern Matigge, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
). Matidia became competent in her affairs and when her sister became Empress she would often travel with her and her brother-in-law.
Matidia paid for the restoration of the theatre of Sessa Aurunca
Sessa Aurunca
Sessa Aurunca is a town and comune of Campania, Italy, in the province of Caserta. It located on the south west slope of the extinct volcano of Roccamonfina, 40 km by rail west north west of Caserta and 30 km east of Formia....
which was probably damaged by an earthquake during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius
Antoninus Pius
Antoninus Pius , also known as Antoninus, was Roman Emperor from 138 to 161. He was a member of the Nerva-Antonine dynasty and the Aurelii. He did not possess the sobriquet "Pius" until after his accession to the throne...
(138
138
Year 138 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Niger and Camerinus...
-161
161
Year 161 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Caesar and Aurelius...
). Her generosity was commemorated with a statue here.
Matidia lived to an advanced age and outlived most of her relatives. She was very close to her great-nephew, Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and his family, in her latter years. Marcus Aurelius would sometimes allow his daughters to stay with his great-aunt.
Matidia, like many other childless women, "attracted a number of hangers-on who hoped to be remembered in her will". On her deathbed, they sealed her codicils
Codicil (will)
A codicil is a document that amends, rather than replaces, a previously executed will. Amendments made by a codicil may add or revoke small provisions , or may completely change the majority, or all, of the gifts under the will...
(additions to her will) assuring their validity and ensuring that they would inherit some of her substantial estate. From her will, various family members and associates received a million Sestertius
Sestertius
The sestertius, or sesterce, was an ancient Roman coin. During the Roman Republic it was a small, silver coin issued only on rare occasions...
(an ancient Roman coin currency), her estate and various other items she had. The administrator of the estate was the Empress Faustina the Younger
Faustina the Younger
Annia Galeria Faustina Minor , Faustina Minor or Faustina the Younger was a daughter of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius and Roman Empress Faustina the Elder. She was a Roman Empress and wife to her maternal cousin Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius...
.
External Links
- Marble bust of Matidia Minor
- http://www.comunemonteargentario.it/english/history.htm