CRISPINA (177-183)

"Venus Felix" Bruttia Crispina was the first and only legal wife of the Roman Emperor Commodus. She came from a wealthy southern Italian family from Bruttium. In the summer of 178 CE, she married the 17-year-old son of Marcus Aurelius, who was then his father's co-ruler, and was customarily granted the title of Augusta.

Given Commodus's character and tendencies, it can be assumed that their marital life was unhappy. After years of a failed marriage (the emperor had taken a liking to Marcia, the concubine of the condemned Ummidius Quadratus), she was accused of adultery and exiled by him to the island of Capri (similarly to his sister Lucilla earlier). Around 187 CE (or perhaps as late as 192), she was executed. Her image appeared on coins until 184 CE. She died childless.

Denomination: Denarius, Ag