Julia Domna Facts:
Known for: one of the four Severan Julias or Roman Julias; sister of Julia Maesa and mother of Caracalla and Geta, emperors of Rome
Occupation: regent, wife of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus
Dates: 170 - 217
About Julia Domna:
Classical sources say that Septimius Severus married Julia Domna, sight unseen, based on the word of astrologers.
When Septimius Severus became emperor in 193, Julia Domna invited her sister to come to Rome.
Julia Domna often went with her husband on military campaigns. Coins show her image with the title "mother of the camp" (mater castrorum). She was with her husband in York when he died there in 211.
Their sons Caracalla and Geta were declared joint emperors. The two did not get along, and Julia Domna tried to mediate, but Caracalla was likely behind Geta's murder in 212.
Julia Domna exerted influence over her son Caracalla during his rule as emperor. She even accompanied him when he fought against the Parthians in 217. Caracalla was murdered on that campaign, and when Julia Domna heard that Macrinus had become the emperor, she committed suicide.
After her death, Julia Domna was deified.
Septimius Severus is blamed by the historian Edward Gibbon for the fall of Rome, because of his adding northern Mesopotamia to the Roman empire and the resulting costs.
Another image: Julia Domna
Background, Family:
- Father: Julius Bassianus, high priest in Emesa of Syrian sun god Heliogabalus or Elagabal, patron god of Emesa
- Sister: Julia Maesa
Marriage, Children:
- husband: Septimus Severus, emperor of Rome
- children (sometimes called twins):
- born about 188: Lucius Septimius Bassilanus (Caracalla)
- born about 189: Publius Septimius Geta
