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About Melania the Elder
Christian religious leader and suspected heretic Melania was born in Spain and, married at fourteen, moved with her husband to the suburbs of Rome.  She was widowed at 22: the same illness that took her husband also took two of her sons and left her with one living son, with whom she moved to Rome.

About Melania the Younger
Daughter of Melania the Elder's only surviving son, the wealthy Roman senator Publicola, Melania was born in Rome and, against her will, promised in marriage at 13 to another wealthy Roman, Pinian.  She struck a bargain with her husband: she would produce two children for him, and then he would free her from further sexual intercourse and she could practice chastity.

Hipparchia
Guest feature by Maria Jamil Fasolo on Hipparchia of Maroneia, who married the Cynic philosopher Crates and encouraged ancient Greek women to seek greater freedom.