Marcella (325–410 CE) was born in Rome to Albina and an unnamed father, a descendant of a long line of consuls and praetorian prefects (Jer. Ep. 127.1). Marcella lost her father at an early age and was quickly married thereafter. Losing men in her young life continued, as after only seven months of marriage Marcella’s husband died, leaving her widowed (Ep. 127.2). As was custom, Albina encouraged her daughter to remarry, not only on account of her youth but also to secure her livelihood (Ep. 127.2). Cerealis, an older …