Summary
Prisca (died 315) was a Roman empress as the wife of the emperor Diocletian.
| Prisca | |
|---|---|
| Nobilissima Femina | |
 Relief in the mausoleum of Diocletian's Palace in Split, believed to depict Prisca. | |
| Roman empress | |
| Tenure | 284–305 (alongside Magnia Urbica 284–285 and Eutropia 286–305) |
| Died | 315 |
| Spouse | Diocletian |
| Issue | Valeria |
| Religion | Uncertain, possibly Christian |
According to the Latin writer Lactantius, Prisca and her daughter Valeria were "forced to be polluted" by sacrificing to the Roman gods during the Great Persecution of 303.[2] Lactantius is, perhaps, implying that Prisca and Valeria were Christian or favorably disposed to Christianity.[3]
When Diocletian retired to Spalatum in 305, Prisca stayed with her daughter and son-in-law Galerius in Thessalonica. When Galerius died in 311, Licinius was entrusted with the care of Prisca and her daughter Valeria. The two women, however, fled from Licinius to Maximinus Daia. After a short time, Valeria refused the marriage proposal of Maximinus, who arrested and confined her in Syria and confiscated her properties. At the death of Maximinus, Licinius had Prisca and her daughter killed.[3]
See also edit
- Saint Alexandra - Christian saint known in legends as Diocletian's wife
- Serena of Rome - Christian saint known in legends as Diocletian's wife
References edit
- ^ Jeličić-Radonić, Jasna (August 15, 2008). "AVRELIA PRISCA". Prilozi povijesti umjetnosti u Dalmaciji. 41 (1): 5–25 – via hrcak.srce.hr.
- ^ Lactantius, De mortibus persecutorum 15,1.
- ^ a b Jones, Martindale & Morris, p. 726.
Sources edit
- Jones, A.H.M.; J.R. Martindale & J. Morris (1971). Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire. Vol. 1. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-07233-6.