Our brand, FAUSTINA®, mostly refers to, and was inspired by, a roman empress bearing the name Faustina Minor (Full name: Annia Galeria Faustina Minor). Named after her mother, Faustina the Elder, she is estimated by historians to have been birthed on the 21st of September in 130 AD, born and raised in ancient Rome. She lived for many years up to her senior at approximately 45-50.
Not much is known about the history of Faustina Minor, but then again, the same can be said for many female historical figures throughout our time on this Earth. What we do know is that she was the daughter of Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, and Roman Empress Faustina the Elder.
In her youth, she was officially betrothed to Lucius Verus, who was also just a boy at the time. This engagement was officially arranged by her father and great uncle, Emperor Hadrian. It is said that Verus’ father was Hadrian’s first adopted son and intended heir, until Verus’ father met his fate. Hadrian chose Faustina’s father to be his second adopted son, making him his new official successor. Faustina’s father promptly ended the engagement between Verus and his daughter, and instead arranged for her to be betrothed to her maternal cousin, Marcus Aurelius. Incidentally, Marcus was also adopted by her father.
By her 15th year, she became officially married to Marcus, as was planned since 138 AD (married in 145 AD). During this time, she was officially recognized as an imperial heiress. Due to the fact that Marcus had been adopted by Faustina’s father prior to the ceremony, he was essentially marrying his sister under Roman law, meaning Antonius would have had to formally release one of them from his paternal authority for the wedding to take place.
By then, coins were minted and issued with heads of the couple engraved into them, and Antonius would have officiated. Faustina was given the title of Augusta on December 1st, 147 AD after the birth of her first child, Domitia Faustina.
Her reign as Empress began when her father, Antonius, died on March 7th, 161 AD. She and her husband Marcus ascended to the throne and became co-rulers together. Reports on Faustina’s life remain conflicted, as the little information we do have do not give a clear indication of her character and time as Empress. It is largely believed that Faustina and Marcus were very close and devoted to one another, despite reports claiming she may have participated in bouts of adultery with important persons and men of rank.
She accompanied her husband on multiple military campaigns and would frequently bask in the love and reverence of Roman soldiers. So much so, that her husband Marcus gave her the title “Mater Castrorum” (Mother of the Camp).
It is believed that Marcus fell ill at one point. His general, Cassius, was proclaimed Roman Emperor after the false news of Marcus’ death. Sources indicate that Cassius was encouraged by Faustina, who was concerned for her husband’s health at the time, to the point of believing him to be on the verge of death, and thus felt the need for Cassius to act as a protector in this untimely event, due to the fact that her son Commodus was quite young at the time (approximately 13 years of age). By the time Marcus recovered, Cassius was already acclaimed by the Egyptian legions.
Much to everyone’s dismay, Faustina would soon meet her own fate and died after an accident, at a military camp. Marcus grieved deeply for his wife, and would soon honour her life by adorning and deifying her grave with a marble statue of her. A temple was also dedicated to her in her honour. The city in which she died, Halala, was renamed to Faustinopolis, and Marcus opened charity schools for orphan girls called Puellae Faustinianae (Girls of Faustina). The Baths of Faustina in Miletus are named after her.
Source: Wikipedia
In conclusion, we chose the name Faustina for its beautiful phonetics, and the lovely, nurturing nature and personality that Faustina Minor portrayed. Overall, she was shown to be sweet, charming, and had a very strong devotion to people and subjects she cared deeply for.
It makes us happy; as such, we want our products to make our customers feel beautiful and happy, too.
