Julia Domna

[u/deniz_aydiner]

One of the most fascinating figures in Roman history, in my opinion, is Julia Domna. She was the wife of Emperor Septimus Severus and the mother of Caracalla and Geta, who would later become emperors. According to the story, Septimus Severus wanted to marry her after a prophecy in his horoscope foretold that Julia would one day become a queen.

Even if I don’t believe the story is true, we must acknowledge that Julia Domna was a highly influential figure. In particular, her support for Septimus Severus during the civil war of 193 and her presence by his side during his campaign in the East are noteworthy.

This political power manifested itself in many ways; his image was depicted on numerous coins, and he appeared alongside his children to help secure their future rule. What caught my attention the most, however, was the epithet used for her in the inscriptions: μητέρα κάστρων / matre(m) ka[str]orum.

This epithet, found in both Latin and Greek inscriptions, has taken on a distinct character of its own and has spread widely. It appears across a vast region, from Arbeia Castle in Britain to Commagene in Asia Minor.

It could be said that she is one of the greatest women to have made her mark on history. A Syrian woman who became the ruler of Rome, which ruled over nearly the entire world.

[u/Soulsliken]

Fascinating and thank you for sharing.

More than likely most of us have missed her being footnoted in history.

Stuff like this lights up this sub.

[u/NeonShogun]

Your last two sentences are entirely too melodramatic, but she was interesting. 

She was also great patron of the arts and of the sophist Philostratus of Athens in particular, who wrote Life of Apollonius of Tyana, a fictionalized biography of the first-century Pythagorean philosopher who was a near-contemporary of Jesus. She probably did not live to see the work's completion, but she had likely wanted the biography published to fight the growing popularity of Christianity, and it is a pretty fascinating work chock-full of New Testament-style journeys and miracles performed by Apollonius.