Augusta, A.D. 218-222
Silver Denarius
Antioch mint?
Obv: IVLIA SOAEMIAS AVG
Rev: VENVS CAELESTIS - Venus, diademed, standing left, holding apple and scepter; star in left field
RIC (Elagabalus) 241
19x17mm, 2.2g.
Julia Soaemias was the daughter of kingmaker Julia Maesa and mother of Elagabalus. She successfully plotted with her mother to have Elagabalus made the emperor of Rome, and became the de facto ruler when her son proved disinterested in and incapable of actually ruling. Unfortunately, her son’s reign proved so unpopular that she was caught up in the uprising against him. She and Elagabalus were both executed—supposedly on the orders of her mother—and their bodies were dumped into the Tiber.
Return