1. Artemide Aste
  2. Artemide LXIII (3-4 May 2025)
  3. The Roman Empire
Lotto 587:
Faustina II (died 176 AD). AE As. Obv. FAVSTINA AVGVSTA. Draped bust right. Rev. VENERI [VICTRI]CI SC. Venus standing right, holding arm of Mars standing facing, head left, holding shield. RIC III (M. Aurel.) 1680; C. 241. AE. 10.43 g. 24.5 mm. R. Rare and good example, with attractive green patina. About EF/VF. There is an ancient legend suggesting that Faustina the Younger, wife of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, had an extramarital affair with a gladiator. This story primarily comes from later and often unreliable sources, such as the Historia Augusta, which is known for its inaccuracies and sensationalism. According to the account, Faustina became infatuated with a gladiator, and following the advice of soothsayers, Marcus Aurelius had him killed. She was then allegedly instructed to bathe in his blood before resuming her relationship with the emperor.
While there is no solid historical evidence to support this claim, this as featuring Faustina II on the obverse could be alluding to the story. The reverse bears the inscription VENERI VICTRIX, depicting Venus embracing Mars with a shield—possibly a symbolic reference to Faustina and the gladiator.
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