ALIMENTARI PUERI, &c., were certain children public-
ly maintained and educated by the munificence of the
Roman emperors. This was first done by Nerva, and after-
wards by Trajan and Adrian. Antoninus Pius did the same
for a number of girls, at the solicitation of Faustina; and
hence, in some medals of that empress, we read PVELLAE
FAVSTINIANAE.—Alexander Severus did the like at the re-
quest of Mammia; and the maids thus educated were
called Mammiana.