Nonia Celsa

Nonia Celsa is the name given by the Historia Augusta to the wife of Roman Emperor Macrinus, who ruled briefly in 217–218. She was the mother of Diadumenian (born in 208).

Life

The only evidence of her existence is a happy letter allegedly written by Macrinus to his wife after he became Emperor. The first line is as follows: "Opellius Macrinus to his wife Nonia Celsa. The good fortune to which we have attained, my dear wife, is incalculable."^[1]

The letter can be found in the biography of Diadumenian, part of a collection called Historia Augusta. Such "documents" are generally considered fabrications in the book. The biographer(s) is also infamous for inventing a lot of never existing persons and names. Without further evidence the existence of Nonia Celsa remains highly dubious.^[2]

References

1. ^ Historia Augusta • Life of Diadumenianus
2. ^ W. Kroll, Paulys Real-Encyclopadie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft by G. Wissowa, XVII.1 pp. 901-902

Royal titles
Preceded by Julia Domna	Empress of Rome 217–218	Succeeded by Julia Cornelia Paula
Preceded by Julia Domna	Empress-Mother of Rome 217–218	Succeeded by Herennia Etruscilla