Greek aristocrat from Asia Minor of the late Hellenistic period, known as the wife of Pythodoros of Tralles, a wealthy notable of the city of Tralles. She belonged to a family connected to the provincial elites of the late Roman Republic in the East.
Antonia(49 av. J.-C. — 100)
Antonia of Tralles
Rome antique
6 min read
Frequently asked questions
Key Facts
- Lived in the city of Tralles, in Caria (Asia Minor), in the 1st century BC
- Wife of Pythodoros of Tralles, a wealthy notable of the region
- Belonged to the provincial Greek aristocracy under the growing influence of Rome
Works & Achievements
Her marriage united a great family connected to the Roman elite with one of the most considerable fortunes of Greek Asia, drawing the provincial notables into Roman politics.
Through her daughter Pythodoris, queen of Pontus, Antonia became the matriarch of a line of kings who were client rulers of Rome (Pontus, Armenia, Thrace).
According to Strabo, the family preserved and passed on intact a fortune of more than two thousand talents, despite the confiscations of the civil wars.
Raised in this great household, her daughter Pythodoris was praised by Strabo as a wise woman, capable of governing the affairs of a kingdom.
Anecdotes
Antonia shared her life with Pythodoros, one of the richest men in Greek Asia: the geographer Strabo valued his fortune at more than two thousand talents, a sum worthy of a king. When Julius Caesar confiscated this wealth because Pythodoros had been a friend of Pompey, the man defeated at Pharsalus, the family managed to buy it back and pass it on intact to its children.
Her daughter Pythodoris married Polemon I, king of Pontus, then ruled alone over this kingdom of Asia Minor after her husband's death. Through this daughter, Antonia became the ancestor of a true line of sovereigns: kings of Armenia and Thrace numbered among her descendants.
Historians believe that Antonia was a daughter of Mark Antony, the Roman triumvir and rival of Octavian. One clue guides them: her granddaughter bore the name Antonia Tryphaena, a way of keeping alive, from generation to generation, the memory of such a prestigious ancestor.
Antonia lived in Tralles, a wealthy Greek city in the Meander valley, famed for its luxury. Struck by an earthquake, the city was rebuilt thanks to the emperor Augustus, and for a time took the name Caesarea in his honor.
Like the women of the Greek aristocracy of her time, Antonia ran a vast oikos: slaves, stewards, weaving workshops, and the estate's accounts were all placed under her authority. Her social success was measured above all by her daughter's marriage, which brought the family into the circle of royal houses.
Primary Sources
Pythodorus, a native of Nysa, moved his residence to Tralles because of the renown of that city; he was, among a select few, a notable friend of Pompey. He acquired a royal fortune of more than two thousand talents, which, sold by the divine Caesar on account of that friendship, was bought back by him and left intact to his children. He is the father of Pythodoris, who is today queen of Pontus.
Pythodoris, a prudent woman capable of presiding over public affairs, was of Trallian origin. Having become the wife of Polemon, she reigned alongside him; after his death, she retained power over these peoples. Her daughter married Cotys, king of Thrace.
Key Places
Wealthy Greek city in the Meander valley (present-day Aydın, Turkey) where the family of Pythodoros lived; its renown and luxury attracted the leading citizens.
Pythodoros's city of origin, on the foothills of the Meander (near present-day Sultanhisar); cradle of the family before it settled in Tralles.
Former capital of the Kingdom of Pontus (present-day Amasya), heart of the realm governed by her daughter Pythodoris and of the dynasty descended from Antonia.
Great metropolis and de facto capital of the Roman province of Asia; administrative and religious center to which cities like Tralles were subordinate.
Typical Objects
The aristocrats of Hellenistic Asia wore finely crafted gold jewelry (earrings, necklaces, diadems). For a woman as wealthy as Antonia, they proclaimed the standing of her household.
A polished bronze disc with a handle, often engraved on the back. Antonia used it for her toilette, assisted by her servants.
Wool-spinning symbolized the virtuous mistress of the house. Even when very rich, a matron oversaw the work of wool in her household workshops.
An engraved ring used to seal letters and contracts. It allowed her to manage the accounts and correspondence of a vast estate.
A silver tetradrachm specific to the province of Asia. These coins set the rhythm of trade in the wealthy commercial city of Tralles.
In wealthy homes, guests dined reclining on klinai, surrounded by silver cups and dishes. A family's fortune could be read in the luxury of its table.
School Curriculum
Vocabulary & Tags
Key Vocabulary
Daily Life
Morning
Upon waking, Antonia would attend to her grooming, her hair styled and adorned by her servants before a bronze mirror. She then took charge of managing the oikos: assigning tasks to the slaves, overseeing provisions and keeping the accounts of the estate.
Afternoon
In the afternoon, she supervised the household workshops, especially the spinning of wool and weaving, the activity emblematic of the mistress of the house. She might also receive visitors, honor the household gods, or visit one of the city's sanctuaries.
Evening
The evening brought the family together around the main meal. In the great houses, people dined reclining on banquet couches; music and conversation accompanied dishes served on precious tableware.
Food
The table rested on the Mediterranean triad — bread, olive oil and wine cut with water — rounded out with fish, cheeses, vegetables, figs and grapes from the fertile valley of the Meander. Honey provided sweetness, and luxury showed in the abundance and refinement of the dishes.
Clothing
Antonia wore the chiton (tunic) covered by the himation (a large draped cloak), made of linen or fine wool. Her rank could be read in the dyed fabrics, sometimes purple, the gold jewelry and the veil that covered her head when out of doors.
Housing
The family lived in a vast peristyle residence, organized around a colonnaded courtyard, adorned with mosaics and paintings. As in the Greek world, certain spaces were reserved for women (the gynaeceum), and the richness of the décor reflected the royal fortune of the household.
Historical Timeline
Period Vocabulary
Liens externes & ressources
Références
Œuvres
Alliance avec la maison de Pythodoros
vers 40-35 av. J.-C.
Fondation d'une dynastie de souverains
à partir de vers 8 av. J.-C.
Conservation d'un patrimoine royal
milieu du Ier siècle av. J.-C.
Une reine élevée dans l'oikos
seconde moitié du Ier siècle av. J.-C.
