While most people familiar with Lucilla (150 - 182 AD) know her from the Gladiator Cinematic Universe, she differed significantly in real life from her movie character. Enchanted by power and all of its trappings, this one-time Roman empress blended nobility and greed in a unique combination.

Just an example: whereas she and Maximus Decimus got along swimmingly in Gladiator, the actual Lucilla strongly disliked her second husband (who was quite similar to Maximus). Maximus's honorable nature captivated movie Lucilla, but real Lucilla disparaged her second husband's lack of ambition. But I wouldn't go so far to say Marcus Aurelius's daughter was a bad person. I mean, she's certainly better her brother, Commodus, and I'd argue was easily the best kid that Rome's philosopher emperor produced.

The thing is: people are complex creatures. Lucilla's life story is defined by woe and her resilience to rise above it. After all, how would you turn out if you lost half a dozen siblings, both parents, your husband, and your empress title all before turning 30?

Mull it over while listening to this Linked by History episode about Lucilla of Rome.

Want to read more about this episode's characters or aren't sure about their spelling? Here's a list of this episode's major characters:
Lucilla - our protagonist
Marcus Aurelius - One of Rome's most revered emperors and Lucilla's father
Faustina the Younger - Loving mother of Lucilla
Lucius Verus - Lucilla's first husband
Commodus - Lucilla's brother...unfortunately for her

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Credits
Host: C.J. Weiss
Music: Bobby Hall