FAUSTINA, ANNIA GALERIA

born c. 125 died 176 byname Annia Galeria Faustina The Younger cousin and wife of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (ruled 161180) and his companion on several of his military campaigns. The daughter of the emperor Antoninus Pius (ruled 138160) and Annia Galeria Faustina the Elder, Faustina married Marcus in 145; and the following year, when he became co-ruler in a limited capacity with Antoninus Pius, she was granted the title augusta by the Senate. Because she accompanied her husband from 170 to 174 on his wars against the Danubian tribes, Faustina became known as mater castrorum (mother of the camps). She went with Marcus when he travelled east (175176) to confront the rebel general Avidius Cassius, but she died suddenly during the journey. Divine honours were bestowed upon her, and a school for the education of the daughters of the poor was established in her memory.