Roman Imperial Diva Marciana

Ulpia Marciana was Trajan's beloved elder sister. Born in August in an uncertain year during the reign of Claudius, she was married to the Roman senator Gaius Salonius Matidius Patruinus, to whom she delivered a daughter, Salonina Matidia. When Patruinus died in 78, Marciana and Matidia went to live with Trajan and his wife Plotina.

Trajan adored his elder sister, who therefore served as his advisor, travelling in the imperial entourage on several occasions. Sometime between 100 and 105, the emperor bestowed the title of Augusta upon Marciana - the first time an emperor's sister would carry this epithet - and he even had two cities named after her, namely Colonia Marciana Ulpia Traiana Thamugadi [modern-day Timgad in...

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