List of Augustae

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Livia, the first Augusta, in 14

Augusta (Greek: αὐγούστα)[1] was the feminine form of the title Augustus. It was usually given to the wives or relatives of the Roman Emperors and the Byzantine Emperors. In the third century, Augustae could also receive the titles of Mater castrorum and Mater patriae. During the Dominate however, the title was used more sparingly: only 9 of 30 imperial consorts during the period 324-527 were acclaimed as such. The title enjoyed great prestige, with the Augustae able to issue their own coinage, wore imperial regalia, and had their own parallel courts.[1]

Exceptionally, Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, took the title Augusta when she took Egypt from the Romans and declared herself Queen of Egypt.

List of Augustae

Zenobia coin reporting her title, Augusta and showing her diademed and draped bust on a crescent with the obverse showing a standing figure of Ivno Regina, Juno, holding a patera in her right hand, a sceptre in her left, a peacock at her feet, and a brilliant star to the left
Justa Grata Honoria, Augusta in c. 440

References

  1. ^ a b Kazhdan, Alexander (Ed.) (1991). Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium. Oxford University Press. pp. 694–695. ISBN 978-0-19-504652-6.