Faustina the Younger - New York City, NY
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Metro2
N 40° 46.720 W 073° 57.767
18T E 587523 N 4514704
Faustina the Younger was the wife of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and the daughter of Emperor Antoninus Pius.
Waymark Code: WMKFFT
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 04/06/2014
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member Ambrosia
Views: 5

This sculpture is located in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This bust of Faustina clearly seems to have been broken off of a larger sculpture. It depicts a young woman with plaited hair wearing a hood. Part of her nose has been chipped off.
A Museum placard reads:

"Marble portrait of the empress Faustina, the Younger,
wife of the Emperor Aurelius

Roman Antonine period, A.D. 161 - 180

Gift of Shelby and Leon Levy, 1986 (1986.40)

The well-formed but rather puffy features, the prominent eyes, and the deeply waved hair exemplify mid-Antonine standards of beauty and are identifying traits of the empress."

Wikipedia (visit link) informs us:

"Annia Galeria Faustina Minor (Minor is Latin for the Younger), Faustina Minor or Faustina the Younger (16 February between 125 and 130 – 175) 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. Though Roman sources give a generally negative view of her character, she was held in high esteem by soldiers and her own husband and was given divine honours after her death...

Reign as Empress

When Antoninus died on 7 March 161, Marcus and Lucius Verus ascended to the throne and became co-rulers. Faustina was given the title of Augusta and became Empress.

Unfortunately, not much has survived from the Roman sources regarding Faustina's life, but what is available does not give a good report. Cassius Dio and the Augustan History accuse Faustina of ordering deaths by poison and execution; she has also been accused of instigating the revolt of Avidius Cassius against her husband. The Augustan History mentions adultery with sailors, gladiators, and men of rank; however, Faustina and Aurelius seem to have been very close and mutually devoted.

Faustina accompanied her husband on various military campaigns and enjoyed the love and reverence of Roman soldiers. Aurelius gave her the title of Mater Castrorum or Mother of the Camp. She attempted to make her home out of an army camp. Between 170–175, she was in the north, and in 175, she accompanied Aurelius to the east."
Monarch Ranking: Emperor / Empress

Proper Title and Name of Monarch: Empress Annia Galeria Faustina Minor

Country or Empire of Influence: Roman Empire

Website for additonal information: [Web Link]

Visit Instructions:

Waymark Visitor - Must either

  • Provide a photo at the Statue
  • Answer a related question, if available, as posted on the Waymark description to the satistfaction of the Owner
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    Metro2 visited Faustina the Younger - New York City, NY 07/25/2013 Metro2 visited it