Matidia Minor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vibia Matidia or Matidia Minor (Latin for ‘the younger’) or Matidia the Younger (born around 80) was related to several important ancient Roman Emperors. The modern day village of Matigge, Italy is named after her.
Matidia Minor was the eldest daughter of Salonina Matidia from her first marriage to Lucius Vibius Sabinus, a man of consular rank. Her mother was a niece to Roman Emperor Trajan. Her younger sister Vibia Sabina, would be future Empress and wife to Roman Emperor Hadrian. Hadrian was also her third cousin.
Along with her grandmother, mother, her sister Sabina and other half-sisters lived and were raised in the household of her great-uncle Trajan and his wife Pompeia Plotina. Matidia never received the title of Augusta, nor did she ever marry or have any children (which was unusual at the time). Yet she was a very wealthy, cultured and influential woman.
Trajan gave her a villa where is modern Matigge, Italy. Due to this villa, the city became known in Latin as Insula 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.
Matidia paid for the restoration of the theatre of Sessa Aurunca which was probably damaged by an earthquake during the reign of Antoninus Pius (138-161). Her generousity was commemorated with a statue here.
Matidia lived to an advanced age and outlived most of her relatives. She was very close to her great-nephew, Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and his family, in her latter years. 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." [1] On her deathbed, they sealed her codicils (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 million sesterces (an ancient Roman coin currency), her estate and various other items she had. The administrator of the estate was the Empress Faustina the Younger.
