Magnia Urbica
Wife of Carinus
Magnia Urbica was the wife of Carinus and the mother of Nigrinian. According to Historiae Augusta, her husband had no less than nine wives and was a bisexual corrupter of youth. This is most likely propaganda put forth by Diocletian. However, where there is smoke there is fire. Her husband was slain in battle at the moment he was to be victorious over Diocletian. The officers are said to have murdered the emperor for his seduction of their wives. Magnia Urbica was the only wife for which coinage was struck and very well may have been the only wife. Whether or not Carinus carried on with other’s wives may in fact be true given the events of his death.
Magnia Urbica died or was murdered about the same time as her husband. The memories of Carus, Carinus,Numerian and herself were officially condemned by the state and their inscriptions erased from Rome.
Monetary System
Mints: Alexandria, Antioch, Cyzicus, Lugdunum, Rome, Siscia, Tripolis
Obverse Legends:
MAGNIA VRBICA AVG
MAGN VRBICA AVG
DENOMINATIONS
AU Aureus (6.54 grams)
Æ Antoninianus
Æ Denarius (3.54 grams)
Æ Quinarius (3.54 grams)
Æ As
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