Why did Faustina the Younger hold the title Mater Castrorum?

Faustina the Younger was a Roman Empress and wife to Emperor Marcus Aurelius. She was held in high esteem by both her husband and the military forces, earning her the honorific title Mater Castrorum, which means Mother of the Camp. Following her death, she was also granted divine honors.

What we know

• Faustina the Younger served as Roman empress from 161 until her death and was the wife of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. [1, 2]
• She was held in high esteem by soldiers and her husband, who referred to her by titles including Augusta and Mater Castrorum. [2, 3]
• The title Mater Castrorum translates to Mother of the Camp and formed part of the prestige associated with Augustae in the second and third centuries. [2, 3]
• After her death, Faustina the Younger was given divine honors. [2]

Where to go next

• whoWho was Marcus Aurelius?
• the bigger pictureWhat powers did an Augusta hold in ancient Rome?
• compared withHow did Julia Domna earn similar military titles?
• what followedWhat divine honors were given to Roman empresses?
• how we knowWho were the parents of Faustina the Younger?
• an unexpected connectionHow does Julia Domna's military involvement connect to camp titles?Like Faustina, later empresses such as Julia Domna were intimately connected to military campaigns and received prestigious camp-related imperial titles.

Sources

• [1]Faustina the Younger (Wikidata Q236936) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Faustina the Younger · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]List of Augustae · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Julia Domna · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Galeria Valeria · CC BY-SA 4.0