14: Temple of Antoninus and Faustina

The Temple of Antoninus and Faustina is easily recognized by the six columns that dominate its front – these are topped by an entablature that carries the dedication to “Divo Antonino et Divae Faustinae Ex S.C.” which can be translated as “To the divine Antoninus and the divine Faustina, by Senate Decree.” In fact the temple was constructed by Emperor Antoninus Pius in honor of his wife Faustina, who had died in the year 140.  Antoninus had married Annia Galeria Faustina the Elder roughly thirty years earlier sometime between the 110 and 115. Faustina was a beautiful woman and Antoninus cared for her deeply. They are believed to have enjoyed a happy marriage and together had four children, two sons and two daughters.  Faustina died at the age of 40 and Antoninus was devastated. He asked the Senate to deify her as a goddess and authorized the construction of a temple to be built in the Roman Forum in her name. He had elaborately decorated coins with her portrait minted in her honor that were inscribed with ‘DIVA FAUSTINA’. To continue his wife’s work with the young impoverished and destitute daughters of Rome, he founded a charity called the Girls of Faustina. In the end Antoninus outlived his wife by 20 years. Upon his death, his name was added to the inscription by Emperor Marcus Aurelius who rededicated the Temple to both Antoninus and Faustina.