Ancient Coins

Roman Empress Julia Domna

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Roman Empress Julia Domna

AD 193 - 211

Born in Syria into a family of priestly rulers of Emesa, Julia Domna became the wife of Septimius Severus in 187 and had two children, Caracalla in 188 and Geta in 189. She became Empress in 193, and was renowned for her beauty and intelligence. She suffered from the hatred and contempt of Plautianus, Praetorian Perfect 202-5, and retreated to the study of philosophy. She gathered round her a group of literary figures. In 208 she accompanied Severus on a British campaign. After Severus's death in 211, his two sons, bitter rivals, became CO-Emperors, but Caracalla, having persuaded Julia to summon them for a reconciliation, stabbed Geta to death in her arms. Julia committed suicide in 217, after Caracalla's death and Macrinus' proclamation as Emperor.

The coins of Julia Domna accurately portray her facial features. We see her attractive face harden as the problems of her family and Empire overwhelm her!