Aemilia Hilaria

Aemilia Hilaria (c. 300 – c. 363) was a Gallo-Roman physician. She practiced medicine, and wrote books on gynecology and obstetrics. She was called "Hilaria" due to her cheerfulness as a baby.

Early life

Aemilia was born in the Roman Empire, the area of present Moselle, France. She was the daughter of Caecilius Agricius Arborius and Aemilia Corinthia Maura, both poor nobles from Gaul. Aemilia and her siblings all took the family name of their mother, which historian Hagith Sivan noted was uncommon for the time. Aemilia Hilaria was given the male nickname "Hilarius" as an infant because she was "affable like a boy." Her nephew, Ausonius, reported that she continued to act in a more masculine manner into her childhood and dress in a less feminine manner into adulthood, which may have led to her remaining unmarried; however, it is notable that during this time period Christian women were encouraged to hide their feminine appearances by the clergy. It is unknown if Aemilia Hilaria was a Christian; Ausonius's phrasing seems to imply that she was, but may simply be poetic writing.

Physician Aemilia Hilaria continued to live in the area as an adult and became a physician there.

Everything we know today about Aemilia Hilaria and her family comes from Parentalia. Gillian Clark (historian) suggested that the phrasing may suggested that Aemilia Hilaria pursued medicine as a "full-time commitment."

In popular culture

Aemilia is a featured figure on Judy Chicago's installation piece The Dinner Party, being represented as one of the 999 names on the Heritage Floor. She is related to the Hypatia place setting.