Severan Women Flashcards
(42 cards)
Who are the sources for the Severans?
Dio (contemporary, moving around the court, advisory role. Writing in Greek)
Herodian
Historia Augusta
Who was Julia Domna and who did she marry?
Born ca 170 in Emessa [Syria]
Daughter of Julius Bassianus, priest of Elagabal
Married Severus 187
Why was a marriage to Julia Domna advantageous to Septimius Severus?
Alleged story that Severus sought her out to marry as her horoscope said that a woman in the east would marry a king
This story is a link to the Antonines, as Julia had been long dead at this point
Did Julia Domna have children?
Two sons: Caracalla (188) and Geta (189)
What titles were given to Julia Domna?
Augusta in 193; Severus is still fighting the civil war at this time, so his claim is not consolidated, but names her anyway, indicating the importance of this title
Mater castrorum (196), mother of the camp
How did Septimius Severus legitimise his power?
Septimius Severus wished to establish a dynasty post-civil war that would strengthen his position as Augustus and succeed the Antonines
He emphasised family, and family values as an extension of this, adapting adultery laws and heavily convicting those accused
How did Septimius Severus utilise Julia Domna to legitimise his power?
His dynastic imagery was embodied by Julia Domna’s coinage, his wife and the mother of Caracalla and Geta
Domna was adorned with names and honours emphasising her role as mother of the new dynasty, virtues such as pudicitia and pietas were highlighted
She was associated with many re-building projects, and often aligned with other notable women from previous dynasties in both coinage and contemporary literature (propaganda)
Which group/deity was Domna associated with by Septimius Severus?
The rebuilding of the temple (Aedes Vestae) of the Vestal Virgins is not emphasised on coinage of Severus, but on Domna’s coinage
Her association with Vesta highlighted the values Severus was trying to portray
Name a place where Julia Domna is privileged in material evidence?
Dougga, Tunisia
At what large event was Domna given precedence?
One of her big roles was in the Secular Games in 204: she leads the public prayer to Juno Ravina (sp?), only ever done by a man, during these celebrations
What does Bingham say on Julia Domna?
Bingham thinks that she, like other imperial women, had a close circle that involved philosophers etc. and this was interpreted by Dio as her retreating from public life into sophism as a response to some abuse
What does Dio say on Julia Domna later in her life?
Dio writes that she left public view due to Plautianus’ accusations…
How was Julia Domna used to try and resolve the Geta/Caracalla conflict?
Coinage, implied that the Senate asked Domna to intercede on their behalf
Mater Senatum - first time ever on coinage
Does not work. Caracalla kills Geta
Did Julia Domna have power/influence post-Geta’s death?
Tyre depiction of Julia as Victory (?) crowning Caracalla
Closest we have come to a woman having politically administrative power
She is taking part in the political world, which Dio is part of, and potentially reliable
How was Julia Domna remembered by the Severans?
She is deified, not by the usurper, but potentially by Elagabalus
Most likely Alexander Severus, as the coin comes from the provinces
Who was Publia Fulvia Plautilla?
Daughter of Severus’ praetorian prefect Plautianus
Married Caracalla in 202 when she was 12-14 years old
What titles were given to Plautilla?
Plautilla made Augusta at marriage
No children, despite what some sources might say
What can the coinage tell us about Plautilla?
Promotion of the longevity of the empire through offspring (PROPAGO IMPERI on coins with Plautilla/Caracalla)
37% of her coinage is CONCORDIA, Caracalla and Plautilla hated each other, so this coinage was an attempt to cover this up and pretend everything was fine
What happened to Plautilla?
Plautilla exiled to Lipari in 205 after the murder of her father, by Septimius Severus
Murdered in 211 when Caracalla became sole emperor
Damnatio memoriae, alongside Geta and Plautianus, evidenced by Arch of the Silversmiths (AD 204)
Who were the later Severan empresses?
AD 218-235
Julia Maesa sister of Julia Domna
Julia Soemias daughter no. 1
Julia Mammaea daughter no. 2
Who was Julia Maesa?
Sister of Domna. Grandmother of Elagabalus & Severus Alexander
Who was Julia Soemias?
Mother of Elagabalus. Daughter of Maesa
Who was Julia Mammaea?
Mother of Severus Alexander. Daughter of Maesa
Did the later Severan empresses have power/influence?
Women without male figures behind them helping them take power
Unprecedented before now
Children ascending to power, aided entirely by these women (Elagabalus and Severus Alexander)
Setting precedent for 3rd century women (acc. to Matilda)
