Roman Empire, Julia Soaemias, AR Denarius

Roman Empire, Julia Soaemias, +222, AR Denarius

Mother of Elagabalus

Barbaric imitation

Obv.Drap. bust r.

Rev.Vesta enthroned l.

Historical

Julia Soaemias Bassiana († 11 March 222 in Rome)

She was the mother of the Roman Emperor Elagabal, and came from an influential Syrian family closely associated with the local religious cult of the god Elagabal.

She helped her son to gain power in the name of the Severan dynasty. During his reign of barely four years (218-222), Julia Soaemias was given a key role because of his youthful age, but she was unable to fill it.

When he made himself hated with his oriental customs and arbitrary religious policies, she was drawn into his downfall and finally murdered along with him.