IGII2 3389 Statue of Matidia the Elder

Statue of Matidia the Elder

IG II² 3389 Date: 117-119 AD

Matidia Augusta^[1]

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References:

IG II² 3389 (Translated text) (PHI)

Translation by: Chris de Lisle

Monument type: Base

Inscription type: Statue base

Findspot: Athens, north of leophoros Olgas (Lost?)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] This is a statue base for Salonia Matidia, the niece of Emperor Trajan (r. 97-117 AD) by his sister Ulpia Marciana. She was promoted to the rank of Augusta by Trajan, following her mother's death in 112 AD (RIC II 742, 751-761). Emperor Hadrian (r. 117-138 AD) married Matidia's daughter, Vibia Sabina, and honoured Matidia extensively, on account of his personal fondness for her and to highlight the genealogical link to Trajan that she provided to him (RIC II.3² 2450, Historia Augusta, Vit. Hadrian 9.9, 19.5). After her death in 119 AD, he delivered the funeral oration, which is partially preserved (CILL XIV 3579) and had her deified, erecting a large temple for her on the Campus Martius in Rome and issuing coins in her name (RIC II.3² 2457-63, 2804; M. T. Boatwright, AJA 112, 1991, 513-540). This statue was probably erected at this time. No dedicator is named and Matidia's name appears in the nominative, suggesting that the statue formed part of a monument or ensemble. For Hadrian's similarly close relationship with Trajan's wife, Empress Plotina, see SEG 55.250. Matidia's daughters, Matidia the Younger and Sabina, are also commemorated by statues at Athens (IG II² 3387-3388). On Hadrian and his relationship with Athens, see IG II² 5185 with notes.

Added: 17 Aug 2024
Updated: 17 Aug 2024
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ID: AIO_3042