Julia Domna: the Victorious Empress

Septimius Severus became the new Roman emperor in 193 CE. His reign started with civil wars and many battles, so through propaganda he and his wife, Julia Domna, tried to legitimize their claim to the imperial throne. This coin shows several messages the imperial couple wanted to convey, amongst others the establishment of their dynasty that would return the much needed peace and stability to the Roman Empire.

Julia Domna would have an essential role to fulfil as mother of the new dynasty. What can this coin tell us about her function in the imperial family and her power as empress? Let’s zoom in on this beautiful sestertius to find out…