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Iulia Aquilia Severa Augusta
“The Priestess of Vesta” Julia Aquilia Severa was a Vestal Virgin. In 220 AD, she married the Roman Emperor Elogabalus. This caused immense controversy, as the traditional punishment for breaking the vows of celibacy of a Vestal Virgin was death by being buried alive. It is believed that the emperor, a follower of the eastern sun god El-Gabal, symbolically married his god to Vesta by marrying Severa. He hoped that children from this union would embody divine qualities. The marriage lasted until 221 AD, when Elogabalus married Annia Faustina, a descendant of Marcus Aurelius.
In 221 AD, the emperor reunited with Aquilia. Their relationship ultimately ended in 222 AD with the death of Elogabalus. They had no children, and Aquilia's subsequent fate remains unknown.
Denomination: Denarius, Ag
Obverse: Draped bust of Aquilia Severa to right, IVLIA AQVILIA SEVERA AVG
Reverse: Concordia standing front, head to left, holding patera in her right hand over lighted altar and double cornucopiae in her left; in field to right, star, CONCORDIA
Mint: Rome, 220-222 A.D.
Weight: 3,03 g
Diameter: 21mm
Provenance: Savoca Coins (silver auction)
Reference : 28.5 RIC IV 226, RSC 2
Collection : IMPERIUM ROMANUM 04 - Severus