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Empress Aquilia Severa’s reign was arguably the most unusual in Rome’s long and eclectic history. While she was noble born (daughter of consul Quintus Aquilius), Severa was a Vestal Virgin, and, as such, sworn to three decades of celibacy on pain of death. Presumably, that vow interfered with the traditional responsibility of an Empress to propagate the imperial bloodline. Apparently her status did not disqualify her, for she married the eccentric Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, better known to history as Elagabalus. Elagabalus posthumously earned his nickname owing to his fanatical devotion to the Syrian sun god Elagabal. He surmised that he and his new wife might produce “godlike” heirs. The teenaged Augustus even held a double wedding, symbolically marrying his sun god to Severa’s goddess Vesta.
Understandably, Rome was unsettled by such unusual imperial nuptials (not to mention Elgabalus’ other follies, including transgender escapades). Even so, the new Augusta was advertised on coinage, including this denarius struck in Rome in 221 AD. Her draped bust appears on the obverse accompanied by the inscription IVLIA AQVILIA SEVERA AVG, consistent with her adopted praenomen Julia. Her numismatic rendering, particularly her hairstyle, is consistent with other prominent woman of the Severan dynasty. Complementing Severa on this coin’s reverse is the goddess Concordia, replete with a patera and double cornucopia, standing in front of a small altar. Concordia was the Roman deity representing agreement and harmony, whether in marriage or broader society. Interestingly, the reverse also features a prominent star. Apparently, the pairing of Concordia with a star was unusual on Roman coins, and, interestingly, the exact same pairing can be found on the reverse of Roman denarii featuring Elagabalus’ previous wife, Julia Paula (for an example, see the preceding coin in this collection). It is reasonable to speculate that the star in this instance represents the eastern sun god. By extension, the message on this coin’s verso may have advertised not only the imperial couple’s concord, but also that between Elagabal and Vesta.
Presumably, such imagery aspired to give Romans hope for a stable and prosperous future. However, that did not turn out the case. In only about six months, both terrestrial and celestial unions were dissolved. Replacing Severa as Elagabalus’ wife was the respectable Annia Faustina, likely at the insistence of Elagabalus’ maternal grandmother Julia Maesa, the mastermind behind her grandson’s rise to power. However, the attempt at damage control did not succeed. Only months later, the capricious Elagabalus discarded his third wife in favor of reinstating Severa. As it turned out, Severa’s second chance as Augusta was just as ephemeral as her first. In early 222 AD, an exasperated Praetorian Guard assassinated Elagabalus, and also killed numerous other supporters and associates, including the Emperor’s mother, Julia Soaemias.
Intriguingly, history did not record Severa’s death. Her name is notably absent among the records of those purged along with Elagabalus. It is widely speculated that Severa was buried alive for breaking her vestal vows (even if she remained chase, her marriage was disallowed). Yet Severa’s name is notably absent among the recorded twenty-odd vestal virgins to be condemned. Lacking any artifactual proof, it is even possible that Severa was not actually a vestal virgin (and it wouldn’t be the first time that negative bias clouds our view of history). One thing known for certain, based on careful examination of numismatic evidence, is the unprecedented discontinuity of Severa’s reign.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Aquilia Severa, Augusta, 220-221 AD, AR denarius (19.56 mm, 3.26 g, 6 h), Struck in Rome 221 AD, NGC Grade: Ch XF, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 3/5, Obverse: Draped bust of Aquilia Severa right, IVLIA AQVILIA SEVERA AVG, Reverse: Concordia standing facing, head left, holding patera and double-cornucopiae, small altar at her feet (star), CONCORDIA, References: RIC 225; RSC 2a; BMC 185, 7;ex. Joseph Donzanti Collection.