A list of 50 Ancient Roman Women

Posted by Giovanni on 5.20.24 in Ancient Rome, Roman law, society and government

Women had a huge impact in the development of Roman society. Even though records and historiography was primarily about men, women had a considerable and explicit role captured in Roman foundational mythology. The list of ancient Roman women below is a simple first pass of significant and famous Roman women in the history and mythology of Rome, ordered chronologically from the mythical and early kingdom periods through to the most recent:

Mythical and Early Kingdom Period

1. Rhea Silvia (8th century BCE): Mother of Romulus and Remus.
2. Sabine Women (8th century BCE): Abducted by Romulus’s men.
3. Hersilia (8th century BCE): Wife of Romulus, mediator between Romans and Sabines.
4. Tanaquil (7th century BCE): Wife of Tarquinius Priscus, known for her prophetic abilities.
5. Lucretia (d. 509 BCE): Her tragic fate led to the overthrow of the Roman monarchy.
6. Tarpeia (Legendary period): Betrayed Rome to the Sabines. She was lured by the gold armbands and bracelets worn by the Sabines to whom she opened the city gates, only to be killed under the weight of their shields.
7. Cloelia (Early 5th century BCE): Escaped Etruscan captivity.
8. Verginia (449 BCE): Her death led to political reform.
9. Venus (Mythical): Mother of Aeneas, significant deity.
10. Vestal Virgins (Throughout Roman history): Priestesses of Vesta, central to Roman religion.

List of ancient Roman women in the Republican Period

11. Claudia Quinta (204 BCE): Ensured the safe arrival of the Magna Mater’s statue.
12. Cornelia Africana (c. 190 BCE – c. 100 BCE): Mother of the Gracchi brothers, celebrated for her virtue.
13. Servilia Caepionis (c. 107 BCE – after 42 BCE): Mistress of Julius Caesar and mother of Brutus.
14. Fulvia (c. 83 BCE – 40 BCE): Wife of Mark Antony, extremely active in politics. First Roman woman to have her portrait on coinage.
15. Calpurnia (75 BCE – after 44 BCE): Last wife of Julius Caesar.
16. Scribonia (c. 70 BCE – after 16 CE): Second wife of Augustus, mother of Julia the Elder.
17. Octavia Minor (69 BCE – 11 BCE): Sister of Augustus and wife of Mark Antony. Mother of Antonia Minor (see below) who’s son Claudius became emperor…
18. Cleopatra (69 BCE – 30 BCE): Queen of Egypt, involved with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony.
19. Livia Drusilla (58 BCE – 29 CE): Wife of Augustus, highly influential in Roman politics from the time of Augustus, through the reign of Tiberius and later.
20. Julia the Elder (39 BCE – 14 CE): Daughter of Augustus, involved in political marriages.

List of Roman Women in the Early Empire

21. Livilla (13 BCE – 31 CE): Niece of Tiberius, involved in court intrigues.
22. Antonia Minor (36 BCE – 37 CE): Daughter of Mark Antony, mother of Emperor Claudius. Considering the fate of Mark Antony as loser in the civil wars against Octavian it is notable that several of his offspring fared considerably well.
23. Agrippina the Elder (14 BCE – 33 CE): Wife of Germanicus and mother of Caligula. Further information is provided about Agrippina on the page about Famous ancient Roman women – Agrippina
24. Agrippina the Younger – a real piece of work, mother of Nero, was murdered by her own son.
25. Valeria Messalina (c. 17/20 CE – 48 CE): 3rd wife of Emperor Claudius, infamous for her alleged debauchery and promiscuity. Not to be confused with Statilia Messalina (AD35-68) 3rd wife of Nero.
26. Claudia Octavia (c. AD39 – June 9 AD62): Daughter of Emperor Claudius and Messalina, became stepsister and also wife to Nero. An unhappy marriage which ended up with him cheating on her and having her executed.
27. Poppaea Sabina (30 CE – 65 CE): Second wife of Emperor Nero, known for her ambition.
28. Boudicca (d. 60/61 CE): Leader of a major uprising against Roman rule in Britain.
29. Plautia Urgulanilla (1st century CE): First wife of Emperor Claudius. Divorced in 24AD because she was suspected of murder as well as numerous socially embarrassing love affairs.
30. Turia (1st century BCE): Celebrated for her loyalty and bravery. She hid her husband in a secret compartment in the roof in the proscriptions of 43BC. His name was eventually removed from the list and he progressed his career through to becoming Consul in 19BC. A tombstone is known referring to a Turia, possibly the same.
31. Julia Soaemias (180 CE – 222 CE): Mother of Emperor Elagabalus, influential in his rise to power.
32. Julia Maesa (c. 165 CE – 224 CE): Grandmother of Emperors Elagabalus and Alexander Severus.
33. Julia Domna (c. 160 CE – 217 CE): Wife of Emperor Septimius Severus, philosopher.
34. Faustina the Elder (c. 100 CE – 140 CE): Wife of Emperor Antoninus Pius.
35. Domitia Lucilla (c. 100 CE – c. 155 CE): Mother of Marcus Aurelius, influential in his upbringing.
36. Faustina the Younger (130 CE – 175 CE): Daughter of Antoninus Pius and wife of Marcus Aurelius.
37. Ulpia Marciana (48 CE – 112 CE): Sister of Emperor Trajan, highly honored.
38. Pompeia Plotina (d. 121/122 CE): Wife of Emperor Trajan, known for her virtue.
39. Salonia Matidia (68 CE – 119 CE): Niece of Emperor Trajan, honored for her piety.
40. Annia Galeria Faustina (147 CE – after 165 CE): Daughter of Marcus Aurelius, known for charity.
41. Vibia Sabina (83 CE – 136/137 CE): Wife of Emperor Hadrian, known for her independent spirit.
42. Tranquillina (c. 225 CE – after 244 CE): Wife of Emperor Gordian III.
43. Julia Avita Mamaea (c. 180 CE – 235 CE): Mother of Emperor Alexander Severus, influential in his administration.

A short list of Roman women in the Late Empire and Christian period.

44. Helena (c. 246/250 CE – c. 330 CE): Mother of Emperor Constantine, significant in early Christianity. Particularly known for her piety, for having found and brought back “The True Cross” of Christ and for the wonderful porphyry sarcophagus in which she was buried.

45. Galla Placidia (c. 388 CE – 450 CE): Daughter of Emperor Theodosius I, influential regent.

46. Aelia Pulcheria (398 CE – 453 CE): Sister of Theodosius II, regent and empress.

47. Eudoxia (c. 422 CE – 493 CE): Wife of Emperor Arcadius, influential in Eastern Roman Empire.

48. Sophia (c. 520 CE – after 601 CE): Wife of Emperor Justin II, active in politics.

List of ancient Roman women with Indeterminate backgrounds or Multiple Timeframes

• Venus (Mythical): Mother of Aeneas, significant deity.
• Vestal Virgins (Throughout Roman history): Priestesses of Vesta, central to Roman religion.
• Tarpeia (Legendary period): Betrayed Rome to the Sabines.
• Hersilia (8th century BCE): Wife of Romulus, mediator between Romans and Sabines.
• Claudia Acte should be added to the list above as a particularly intriguing character – the true love of Nero who ensured him a burial with all due honours.
• Eumachia is a name notorious from Pompeii. We must assume there were many others such as her, honoured in different cities at different times for their enterprising spirit and public service though not of noble blood line.

Venus may be considered an unfair addition which opens up the path to inclusion of the many ancient Roman goddesses – for whom we have reserved a separate page.