Albula Domitilla
This is the trusted wife of Claudia Procula, the wife of Pontius Pilate, who says of her, "She is a second myself."[1]
Albula is active, but discreet: "No one is surprised if she talks with Jews because she's the one who takes care of my liberalities" says Claudia Procula.
She is responsible for acting as intermediary between Judas and Claudia when problems arise, notably when the latter tries to secretly negotiate support from Rome.
She is found at Claudia's side when the latter goes to find Jesus banished to Ephraim.[2] and it is she who brings Pontius Pilate his wife's message in which she asks him "not to meddle in the affairs of this Just."[3]
Character and appearance
A strong matron of about fifty.
Apostolic career
Like the small group of Roman women, she becomes a believer.[4]
Where is it mentioned in the work?
EMV 370 EMV 563
The historicity of the character
According to specialist Jean-François Lavère, the identity of Albula Domitilla raises a number of questions. Indeed, historical sources from this period, starting with Suetonius in The Life of Vespasian[5], tell us of a certain Domitilla, wife of Flavius Liberalis, a simple clerk to the treasurer of the X Fretensis legion, stationed precisely in Syria and Palestine. This modest couple is known for the exceptional destiny of their daughter, Flavia Domitilla the Eldest, who married a plebeian destined for a remarkable destiny: Vespasian, future emperor of Rome. She probably didn't live long enough to become empress, but she did leave two sons, Titus and Domitian, who were also emperors.
Maria Valtorta says nothing about Albula Domitilla's husband; we don't know whether he was still alive or not, but she mentions the liberta (freedwoman) at his side several times Flavia. The clues that can be drawn from Maria Valtorta's writings seem to concur with historical sources.
Flavia Domitilla the Elder was the favorite of Statilius Capella, a Roman knight from Sabratha, Africa. She held Latin citizenship, but was declared a Roman citizen thanks to a court decision brought by her father[5]. In 38/39, she married Vespasian, who became emperor thirty years later, and gave birth to Titus, Domitian and Domitilla - the latter being the mother of Saint Flavia Domitilla, exiled as a Christian on her uncle's orders.