Plotina
Wife of Trajan
Born 70 AD – Died 129 AD
Pompeia Plotina was born in Nemausus (Nimes) in Gaul around 70 AD. Plotina married Trajan before he was elevated to the throne and apparently never bore any children. She was famed for her simplicity, dignity, and virtue and the historian Cassio Dio tells us that when Plotina entered the imperial palace she turned and spoke to the crowd.
“I enter here such a woman as I would wish to be when I leave.”
Plotina did engage in some intrigue by encouraging her favorite Hadrian to marry Trajan’s niece Sabina (granddaughter of Trajan’s sister Marciana) against the Emperor’s wishes. This, however, was not the only family link between Hadrian and Trajan. Apparently, Trajan’s father was the brother of Hadrian’s grandfather. Nonetheless, Plotina was largely responsible for the succession of Hadrian in 117 AD. Some stories accused her of forging documents that sealed the adoption of Hadrian making him heir to the thrown. Indeed, Hadrian was never raised to the rank of Caesar but appears to have been a close friend. Whether or not Plotina forged the documents is not certain but at the very least Trajan certainly waited until the very last minute. Plotina died during Hadrian’s reign in 129 AD and was duly consecrated.
Monetary System
Mints: Rome
Obverse legends:
PLOTINA AVG IMP TRAJANI
DENOMINATIONS
AU Aureus (7.28 grams)
AR Denarius (3.00 grams)
AE Sestertius
AU Aureus (reverse with Matidia)
AU Aureus (Divus Trajan/Plotina)
AU Aureus (Hadrian/Trajan facing Plotina)
