Birth of Empress Lucilla

Birth of Empress Lucilla

Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla, was born in Rome on the 7th March 150 AD.
As one of the eldest daughters of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and Empress Faustina the Younger, her family was as prestigious as it gets.

Lucilla spent her childhood in the company of her powerful family.
At the unbelievably young age of 11 years old, Lucilla was thrust into her first marital engagement by her father.
Thankfully, she had a longer than normal engagement, but even that small gift would only delay her inevitable destiny.

Three years after becoming engaged, and still only 14 years old, Lucilla finally got married.
Her wedding was quite the event and Lucilla’s wedding dress featured an intricate knot called the “Knot of Hercules.”
An important part of the wedding night for newlyweds was when the groom untied this special knot.
This may even be where the phrase “tying the knot” came from.

Now married, Lucilla’s life was changing drastically.
But with a noble background such as hers, Lucilla’s marriage couldn’t be to just any Roman man.
It wasn’t even simply to a wealthy aristocrat—it was to someone much more important.
Lucilla married Lucius Verus, another Emperor of Rome.

For the first time in Roman history, there were actually two co-Emperors of Rome, ruling together at the same time.
The second Emperor, Lucius Verus, was the adopted brother of Lucilla’s father…and he was now also Lucilla’s husband.
But that wasn’t the only uncomfortable aspect of their relationship…he was about 18 years older!

At 14, Lucilla’s new husband was old enough to be her father.
As ridiculous as their age gap was, Lucilla’s new life and status as Empress, came with some impressive benefits.
Her new husband was a dashing man, and quite desirable.
Not only did she gain more power and influence, the title of Augusta was also bestowed on her.
This made her one of the most powerful and influential women in Rome.

Lucilla relished her power and authority.
She became accustomed to status and indulgence, and she was more than happy with her newfound influence.
She had the best seats in the theatre, wealth, power, and a handsome and charming husband ~ what could go wrong?
It seemed like life was turning out beautifully for her.
But even her status and power couldn’t protect her from the harsh nature of life in ancient Rome.

One of the most dangerous parts of a woman’s life was pregnancy and childbirth.
Survival rates for childbirth were often low, and being so young, Lucilla was at particularly high risk of complications that could threaten her own life as well as that of a child.

Although her young body wasn’t really prepared for the stresses and risks of motherhood, she didn’t have a choice.
The year after she wed her husband, she quickly became pregnant with her first child.
Lucilla and her husband happily welcomed a baby girl to the world in 165 AD.
But just as it seemed like their fairy tale was coming true, Lucilla’s new baby girl tragically didn’t make it past infancy, leaving Lucilla heartbroken.
Lucilla and her husband grieved deeply for the loss of their first child.
But as awful as the experience was for Lucilla, she wouldn’t have to wait long for a second chance.

After the anguish of losing her daughter so quickly, Lucilla became pregnant with her second child that same year.
Lucilla was still only about 15-16 years old at this point and would face the same risks trying to give birth again so young.
Thankfully, her second child, another girl named Lucilla Plautia, was born healthy in about 165 AD.

Lucilla spared no time in getting pregnant for the third time. Still unbelievably young to be pregnant, let alone on her third, Lucilla was still at extreme risk of life-threatening complications. Sadly, this time fate was not on her side.
Lucilla and her new baby did manage to survive childbirth.
But her sweet little boy’s health went downhill, and he didn’t make it past his first year.

Lucilla, still not even 20 years old, had now endured the heartbreaking loss of two infants.
But even that pain couldn’t prepare her for what happened next.
Only a few years later, her husband died unexpectedly.
Lucilla lost her beloved husband, partner, and friend.
After the shock wore off, Lucilla had to find a way to come to terms with her new reality.

Lucilla was completely devastated at the unexpected loss of her husband only five years after their wedding, she loved her husband dearly.
But as much as Lucilla adored her husband, that wasn’t the only thing she lost.
As soon as Lucilla lost her husband, she also lost her cherished status as Empress.
For someone so used to enjoying luxury and power, this was a huge step down and Lucilla was absolutely miserable.
Her father chose to honor her with the title of Empress as long as he was still alive and unmarried.

Her prestigious position in society as the daughter and wife of the co-Emperors of Rome, meant that when Lucilla went back on the marriage market, she didn’t stay there very long.
Yet, even as Empress of Rome, Lucilla still had no freedom to select her next husband.
Her father would once again make the choice for her.

Once again subjected to the whims of her father, Lucilla was set up with Tiberius Claudius Pompeianus for her second marriage.
He happened to be an ally of her father’s, as well as an accomplished Syrian-Roman general.
Pompeianus and Lucilla married in 170 AD, leaving Lucilla barely enough time to mourn the loss of her first husband.

Her new husband may have been considered a hero amongst his own men and impressed her father, but Lucilla was not enchanted in the least.
Pompeianus was not just a few years older than Lucilla, he was at least twice her age, and while this didn’t bother Lucilla in her first marriage, this time she was beyond disgusted.

As much as she despised the match, Lucilla had no choice but to unhappily accept it.
But thankfully, there was at least one bright spot for Lucilla in her dismal new marriage.
In 170 AD, not long after marrying her husband, Lucilla gave birth to a son.
While she may have disliked her husband, a healthy child was still a joyous occasion.

In 180 AD, Lucilla’s father was on a military campaign in the area of Vindobona.
While in his quarters, her father died from unknown causes at the age of 58.
With Lucilla’s father gone, the position of Emperor now passed to her only surviving brother, the young Commodus.

If her brother were to get married, the title of Empress would be taken from Lucilla, and immediately given to her brother’s wife.
Not long after becoming Emperor, Commodus found someone he wished to marry.
It was the day Lucilla had been dreading, and she was powerless to stop it.
Commodus got married and his new wife, Bruttia Crispina, became the Empress of Rome.
After her brother’s marriage, Lucilla had to live as a regular citizen of Rome with her husband and son, with none of the benefits she felt she deserved.
Lucilla’s life changed drastically, and she blamed one person……

Lucilla may not have been Empress anymore, but she wasn’t about to let it go easily.
She felt robbed and she lay the blame for her loss squarely on her new sister-in-law.
Lucilla’s relationship with her brother’s wife overflowed with tension and resentment.
But her loss of title would lead to much more than simply an uncomfortable situation.

Commodus, was still a young 19 years old when their father died, with blond hair and blue eyes, he was quite handsome.
But unlike his father, Commodus was naïve, impressionable, and cowardly.
As he settled into his new role, he began to unravel in dangerous ways.

Commodus’ behavior started to become increasingly erratic and dangerous.
Since he was so easily influenced, he was susceptible to corruption and often disregarded useful advice.
He ignored many of the official duties he had as Emperor, leaving them for others to deal with.
Over time, he became more paranoid and cold-hearted, eliminating anyone he thought had betrayed him.

Lucilla’s brother was becoming known for some much more dangerous and concerning behavior.
His behaviour caught the attention of other members of Roman society, and plots to eliminate or dethrone the Emperor began to surface.
Commodus killed many men and women he believed to be plotting against him, and Lucilla feared the worst for Rome.

Commodus’ unpredictable behavior was still going strong and Lucilla worried that her brother could lead not only himself to ruin, but all of Rome.
What was once a prosperous and powerful society could crumble into dust.
Lucilla may not have been the Empress any longer, but she also wasn’t about to stand by and let Rome deteriorate under her brother’s watch.
The only option was to eliminate him.

Once Commodus was removed, Lucilla looked to appoint a new Emperor and Empress to replace him.
But Lucilla wasn’t happy with just anyone becoming the new rulers, she nominated herself and her husband for the role.
And she wasn’t the only one prepared to act on this bold and dangerous plan.
Despite the help from her co-conspirators, Lucilla’s plan was heading for complete disaster.

As much as Lucilla wanted her brother out of the way, for her own sake and for the good of Rome, she also had something else on her mind.
Lucilla still despised her second husband immensely.
By convincing him to get involved, Lucilla thought that she might finally be rid of her crazy brother.
If the plan failed, she figured she could at least be rid of the husband she detested so much.

Lucilla and her cohorts decided that her husband’s nephew Quintianus, would be the one to actually carry out the act of assassinating Commodus.
Their nephew intended to stab the Emperor as he was leaving the hunting theater, and waited in the darkness for the right moment to do the terrible deed.

Wielding a knife, Quintianus attempted to stab the Emperor.
But he was too slow and gave himself away before he could even get close to the Emperor.
The guards grabbed and stopped him, ending his one chance to get to the unhinged Emperor.
This was the worst-case scenario for Lucilla and her collaborators, leaving all of them in a very vulnerable and dangerous position.

Commodus was furious at the attempt to assassinate him.
He immediately ordered the execution of Lucilla’s nephew for his role in the plot, but not before finding out the identities of the others involved.
Upon discovering the other collaborators, the Emperor showed no mercy.
Lucilla and her daughter may have believed they would emerge unscathed, but they were about to pay the price for their actions, and the cost would be much higher than they feared.

When he discovered her involvement in the plot to eliminate him, he didn’t murder them as he did the others, he banished Lucilla, her daughter, and her other cousin to the island of Capri.
Later that same year, once the investigation of the conspiracy was over, the Emperor returned to his vicious ways.
Instead of allowing his sister and her relatives to live, the Emperor sent someone to Capri to kill all three of them.
In the end, Lucilla did get one of her wishes, she never had to see her husband again.
Sadly, it didn’t happen the way she had hoped.

Lucilla paid the ultimate price for her choices, as did her young daughter.
Ironically, after everything Lucilla endured, the husband she despised so much was spared, and he retired from public life.
But family tragedy continued for Lucilla even after she was gone.

Lucilla’s son Aurelius Pompeianus had no part in Lucilla’s scheme to eliminate the Emperor, and was now the only legacy that Lucilla left behind.
He went on to serve politically for many years under both Commodus’ rule as well as another Emperor.
Pompeianus was eventually murdered in cold blood, he may have escaped his mother’s terrible fate temporarily, but the same tragic destiny still snatched his life away in the end.