In this paper I shall take issue with those historical narratives (mainly from Cassio Dio and the Historia Augusta) testifying to an active political role played by Marcus Aurelius' wife, Faustina Minor, on the occasion of the usurpation of the rector totius Orientis Avidius Cassius that took place in 175 AD. Such narratives, contradictory and partly antithetical to each other, probably aim at covering up the actual responsibilities of the revolt, given that they tend to shift the blame to a single person. It should be stressed, however, that in the II century AD the Augustae are finally credited with a concrete role in the Imperial politics, as it is emphasized by the bestowal of the title mater castrorum to Faustina Minor herself.
Faustina Minore, Avidio Cassio, Marco Aurelio
CENERINI, FRANCESCA
2017
Abstract
In this paper I shall take issue with those historical narratives (mainly from Cassio Dio and the Historia Augusta) testifying to an active political role played by Marcus Aurelius' wife, Faustina Minor, on the occasion of the usurpation of the rector totius Orientis Avidius Cassius that took place in 175 AD. Such narratives, contradictory and partly antithetical to each other, probably aim at covering up the actual responsibilities of the revolt, given that they tend to shift the blame to a single person. It should be stressed, however, that in the II century AD the Augustae are finally credited with a concrete role in the Imperial politics, as it is emphasized by the bestowal of the title mater castrorum to Faustina Minor herself.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
