JULIA MAESA (218-224/5)

“Pietas – Family is the most important” Julia Maesa (born May 7, died 225 AD) was a Syrian princess born in Emesa, Syria. Her father was the high priest of the sun god Elagabal, Julius Bassianus, and her sister was Julia Domna, the Roman empress, making her the aunt of Caracalla. She married a Syrian named Avitus Alexianus and was the mother of Julia Soaemias and Julia Mamaea, and the grandmother of Emperor Elagabalus and Severus Alexander. After the assassination of Caracalla and the outbreak of the rebellion against Macrinus, she instigated a revolt that led to the restoration of the Severan dynasty (her grandson, Heliogabal, became emperor).

She died in the third year of Severus Alexander's reign. Her image, with the title of Augusta, appeared on coins from 218 to 225.