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Julia Soaemias Bassiana (180 – 222 AD) was the daughter of Julia Maesa and Gaius Julius Avitus Alexianus, sister of Julia Mamaea, and niece of Augustus Septimus Severus and Augusta Julia Domna. As such, she was one of the several Julias of her Emesan-Severan clan who achieved prominence within the Roman Empire. Compared to her sistren, Julia Soaemias typically scores as least capable and most self-indulgent. Admittedly, finding balanced information poses a challenge. Julia Soaemias was also mother of Elagabalus, one of Rome most frivolous and hedonistic Emperors, and that's saying something.
In 217 AD, the murder of Caracalla and the subsequent ascension of Macrinus placed the Severan dynasty’s reign on hiatus. Macrinus, unique among Roman Emperors with regards to his prior equestrian status, enacted sweeping changes across the Empire, replacing Caracalla’s previous appointees with outsiders. Augustus Macrinus also bribed the Persians to peace, at the cost of rescinding the large military pay raise previously promised by Caracalla. This fiscal policy obviously did not sit well with the Roman troops.
Not surprisingly, Macrinus’ popularity plummeted, and the Emesans saw their opportunity to recapture the throne. Julia Soaemias, along with her mother Julia Maesa, staged a revolt in the eastern provinces, culminating in their presentation of Elagabalus as the new imperial candidate. It was even rumored Elagabalus descended not from Julia Soaemias’ deceased husband (Marcellus), but rather Caracalla himself. Given Julia Soaemias’ reputation for extramarital affairs, the claim garnered support.
Ultimately, the Julias succeeded in eliminating Macrinus and advancing the teenaged Elagabalus as next Augustus of the Roman Empire. Elagabalus’ reign proved troublesome, as the adolescent Augustus demonstrated little interest in running an Empire compared to engaging in exorbitant religious ceremonies (involving the sun gold Elagabal) and sexual escapades (ranging from marrying a vestal virgin to play-acting prostitution with his slave and chariot-driver, Hierocles). Governmental responsibilities fell to the Emesean matriarchs; Julia Soaemias’ role during this historical period has even been described as Rome’s de facto ruler.
Julia Soaemias was granted title of Augusta soon after Elagabalus’ ascension, as confirmed by Roman denarii such as this one, bearing her draped bust and the epithet IVLIA SOEMIAS AVG on its obverse. The reverse presents an extremely interesting scene: Venus, the Roman goddess of love and related concepts, seated on a throne, holding a scepter and offering an apple to child, who raises both hands as if to receive the fruit. The straightforward analysis is that the coin’s reverse depicts Venus Caelestis, the Roman equivalent of Carthaginian goddess Dea Caelesis, who was wedded to Elagabal (courtesy of Elagabalus) as part of a parallel ritual wherein the young Augustus married the noblewoman Annia Faustina. This ceremony intended – and failed - to ameliorate the chaotic imperial situation. The parallel between Venus and the child, and the relationship between Julia Soaemias and her son Emperor Elagabalus warrants further contemplation. Specifically, it has been proposed that Julia Soaemias’ alleged transgressions encouraged her son’s behavior. Julia Soaemias' affair with Elagabalus’ tutor (Gannys), provides an example - at least until the latter made the fatal error of condemning the Emperor’s behavior once too often, and was killed by imperial guards.
Julia’s Soaemias desperately strived to improve Elagabalus’ image, for instance prompting him to announce his cousin Severus Alexander as his Caesar. At first, this announcement resulted in the intended effect. Everyone rejoiced, to the point where the Augustus felt ignored. Julia Soaemias’ plan might have worked, except the capricious and infuriated Elagabalus ordered the arrest and execution of everyone displaying such flagrant insubordination. The equally infuriated Praetorian guards decided to disobey, and took matters into their own hands.
Reportedly, the angry Roman mob murdered Julia Soaemias and her son, and subsequently dragged their headless, naked bodies through the streets of Rome before final disposal in the Tiber river.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Julia Soaemias, Augusta, AD 218-222, AR Denarius (18mm, 3.04 g, 1h), Rome mint, Struck under Elagabalus, AD 218-220, NGC Grade Ch MS, Strike 5/5, Surface 5/5, Obverse: Draped bust right, IVLIA SOAEMIAS AVG, Reverse: Venus seated left on throne, holding apple and scepter; to left, child standing right, raising both hands, VENVS CAELESTIS, References: RIC IV 243 (Elagabalus); Thirion 388; RSC 14.