Among the many historical rumors and myths that surround the Roman Empire, one persistent question concerns the personal life of Emperor Marcus Aurelius: did Marcus Aurelius kill his wife? This question, provocative and dramatic, invites a closer examination of the historical record and the character of one of Rome’s most revered rulers. Marcus Aurelius, known as a Stoic philosopher and a just emperor, was married to Faustina the Younger. Their marriage, like many royal unions, was as political as it was personal. To determine the truth behind this claim, one must look at the available sources, cultural context, and historical evidence.
Who Was Marcus Aurelius?
Marcus Aurelius reigned as Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 CE. He is best known for his philosophical workMeditations, which provides insight into his Stoic beliefs and personal reflections. Often regarded as the last of the ‘Five Good Emperors,’ Marcus Aurelius was praised for his sense of duty, humility, and adherence to Stoic principles of virtue, rationality, and self-discipline.
His rule was marked by wars on the empire’s frontiers, particularly against Germanic tribes, as well as internal challenges such as plagues and political tension. Despite these hardships, Marcus Aurelius is remembered as a ruler who strove for justice and wisdom in both public and private matters.
Who Was Faustina the Younger?
Faustina the Younger was the daughter of Emperor Antoninus Pius and Empress Faustina the Elder. She married Marcus Aurelius around 145 CE, before he became emperor. Their union was part of a broader political arrangement designed to solidify imperial power within the ruling dynasty. Nevertheless, ancient sources suggest that Marcus Aurelius genuinely loved his wife.
Key facts about Faustina:
- Daughter of Antoninus Pius
- Married Marcus Aurelius around age 15
- Bore at least 13 children, including future Emperor Commodus
- Died in 175 CE during a military campaign
Despite having many children, only a few survived to adulthood. Faustina accompanied Marcus on several military campaigns and was given titles such as Mater Castrorum, or Mother of the Camp, acknowledging her role alongside the army.
The Rumors Surrounding Faustina’s Character
Rumors of Faustina’s infidelity and moral conduct circulated in both ancient and modern interpretations. Some Roman historians, such as Cassius Dio and the Historia Augusta, include suggestions of her alleged promiscuity or political manipulations. These accounts, however, must be taken cautiously as they are known for including gossip, satire, or exaggeration, particularly about powerful women in Roman history.
The story that Marcus Aurelius may have killed or ordered the death of Faustina is not found in the most credible or contemporary Roman sources. Instead, it appears in later narratives and speculative retellings that are often more dramatic than factual. The ancient Roman practice of posthumous character assassination was not uncommon, particularly toward imperial women, and Faustina may have been a target of such defamation.
Why the rumors persist:
- Political intrigue and rivalry within the imperial court
- Hostility toward powerful women by Roman historians
- Gossip and fictionalized biographies, especially in the Historia Augusta
- Later dramatizations in literature and media
Evidence of Marcus Aurelius’ Devotion
Contrary to the theory that Marcus Aurelius killed his wife, surviving records suggest a relationship rooted in loyalty and affection. After Faustina’s death in 175 CE in the region of Cappadocia, Marcus had her deified by the Roman Senate, an honor reserved for respected imperial figures. He also founded a charitable institution in her name and issued coins bearing her image with inscriptions praising her virtues.
Posthumous honors include:
- Official deification by the Senate
- Coins minted with the inscription ‘Diva Faustina’ (the divine Faustina)
- Establishment of a fund for poor Roman girls in her name
These actions reflect deep respect and mourning, rather than blame or resentment. It would have been highly unusual and politically damaging for a Roman emperor to honor someone publicly if he had personally caused her death.
Stoicism and Personal Ethics
Marcus Aurelius was a dedicated Stoic. His writings emphasize the importance of justice, self-control, and rational thought. InMeditations, he writes frequently about accepting fate, dealing honorably with others, and maintaining moral integrity. While philosophical writings do not always reflect real-life actions, they do offer a consistent portrayal of his values.
A person with Marcus Aurelius’s Stoic mindset would be unlikely to act on passion, jealousy, or dishonor, especially to the extent of harming his spouse. Instead, he speaks inMeditationsof patience, kindness, and familial love.
Relevant Stoic values:
- Respect for the natural order and fate
- Moral duty to others, especially family
- Restraint from passion and impulsive actions
- Promotion of harmony and public service
The Death of Faustina
Faustina the Younger died during Marcus Aurelius’s campaign in the East, near the city of Halala in Cappadocia. Ancient sources suggest that her death was due to illness, not foul play. The city was renamed Faustinopolis in her memory. Such actions would be inconsistent with guilt or hostility from Marcus Aurelius. Had she been executed or punished, even quietly, Roman records would likely contain more scandalous or indirect references to such a disgrace.
The consistent pattern of honors after her death, from deification to coinage, further disproves the theory that Marcus Aurelius had any malicious role in her demise.
there is no credible evidence that Marcus Aurelius killed his wife, Faustina the Younger. While rumors of her alleged infidelity and scandal circulated among certain Roman writers, they remain speculative and likely exaggerated. Marcus Aurelius’s personal philosophy, public actions, and historical records indicate a relationship marked by mutual respect and imperial responsibility. Faustina was deified after her death, a strong indication of the emperor’s esteem for her. The narrative that he murdered her is unsupported by primary sources and is best understood as a sensational myth rather than historical fact.
The marriage of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina the Younger, while not free from challenges, was typical of Roman imperial life intertwined with politics, duty, and image. Instead of a tale of betrayal and murder, history supports a story of partnership, grief, and honor, consistent with the character of one of Rome’s most philosophical emperors.