Appia Annia Regilla

Appia Annia Regilla, full name Appia Annia Regilla Atilia Caucidia Tertulla[1][2][3] (Greek: Ἀππία Ἄννια Ἀτειλία Ῥήγιλλα Καυκιδία Τερτύλλα Ἀππίου Γάλλου θυγάτηρ, 125–160), was a wealthy, aristocratic and influential Roman woman, who was a distant relative of several Roman emperors and empresses.

[5] Her father was Appius Annius Trebonius Gallus, a distinguished Roman Senator and one of the serving consuls in the year 139.

[8][9] Her uncle served as a polyonymous Proconsul of the Africa Province under the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161).

With this dowry Regilla bought with her husband a villa on the third mile of the Appian Way just south of Rome and together they controlled a large area of land, which was known as the "Triopio" (from Triopas, King of Thessaly), and later, in medieval times, as Capo di Bove.

Although she was directly cut off from her immediate influential family, relatives and friends in Italy, Regilla became a part of the highest Greek circle of society, in particular in Athens.

Regilla sat on or near the altar of Demeter Chamyne on the north side of the stadium in Olympia opposite on the stand of the judges to view the competitions.

Using her own considerable influence and wealth, Regilla erected a great nymphaeum (a monumental fountain) at Olympia.

The fountain that Regilla built made the cool refreshing water available to the people in this hot, dusty area.

[1] Regilla is depicted in a traditional garment and pose that was suited for noble women, elite matrons and empresses.

[11] Regilla's consul brother brought charges in Rome against his brother-in-law, alleging that Herodes Atticus had ordered her to be beaten to death.

[12] Atticus also had raised on the boundary line of the property two columns bearing this inscription in Greek and Latin: In an agricultural village located in the Datça Peninsula, a temple was dedicated to Faustina the Younger under the title of the New Ceres, a burial place for the family was placed under the protection of Minerva and Nemesis, and lastly a grove was consecrated to the memory of Regilla.

From the 2nd century to the present day, Regilla and Herodes Atticus have continued to be considered as great benefactors in Greece, in particular in Athens.

Regilla and Herodes Atticus also have streets named after them in Rome; these are located in the Quarto Miglio suburb close to the area of the Triopio.