| Matidia Minor | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 85 |
| Died | after 161 |
| House | Nerva–Antonine dynasty |
| Father | Lucius Mindius |
| Mother | Salonia Matidia |
Mindia Matidia, also known asMatidia Minor (Minor being Latin forthe younger, 85 – after 161) was aRoman imperial noblewoman in the early second century AD. She was related to several ancientRoman Emperors, as a great-niece toTrajan and half-sister toVibia Sabina, who was the wife ofHadrian. The modern village ofMatigge, Italy, is perhaps named after her.
Matidia Minor was the daughter ofSalonia Matidia from her second marriage to the otherwise unattested Roman aristocratLucius Mindius. Her mother Salonia Matidia was the daughter ofUlpia Marciana, sister of Roman emperorTrajan, and therefore was a niece of the emperor. Matidia Minor's half-sisterVibia Sabina was to become empress and wife of the Roman emperorHadrian. Hadrian was also her third cousin.[citation needed]
After her father's death in 85, Matidia along with her half-sisters lived with their grandmother and mother and were raised in the household of Trajan, his wifePlotina and her stepfather.[citation needed] Matidia Minor never received the title ofAugusta and there is little evidence of her involvement in state affairs. Her husband or children, if they ever existed, did not register in historical records, and she remained single for the rest of her life (which was unusual at the time).
Trajan gave her a villa where modernMatigge, Italy is now located. Due to this villa, the city became known in Latin asInsula 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.[citation needed]
During the time she was single, she was in full control of her wealth, part of which she distributed as a benefaction. Her involvement ineuergetism yielded inscriptions thanking her across different parts of the empire, mostly during the reign ofAntoninus Pius.[1]
Excavations in the area ofSessa Aurunca showed that Matidia was a major benefactress in the city, attesting her wealth, culture and influence. Matidia underwrote the restoration of the theatre of Sessa Aurunca which was probably damaged by an earthquake during the rule of emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161). Her generosity was commemorated with a statue and inscriptions in the theatre.[2]
Matidia lived to an advanced age and outlived most of her relatives. In her later years, she was very close to her great-nephew, the future emperorMarcus Aurelius, and his family. 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 hercodicils (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 millionsesterces (an ancient Roman unit of currency), her estate, and various other items she had. The administrator of the estate was the empressFaustina the Younger.[citation needed]
Nerva–Antonine family tree | |
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| Notes: Except where otherwise noted, the notes below indicate that an individual's parentage is as shown in the above family tree.
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