v53_0400 - GIULIA MAMAEA Sesterce, (GB, Æ 31)

JULIA MAMAEA

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Daughter of Julia Maesa, mother of Severus Alexander - Augusta

Julia Mamée is the daughter of Julia Maésa and the sister of Julia Soémias. She belongs to this great line of Syrian empresses immortalized by Jean Babelon. Julia Mamée is the granddaughter of the priest of the cult of the Black Stone of Emesa, of which Elagabalus is the best known representative. Like her aunt Domna, her mother or her sister, Julia Mamée is an intriguer. However, she marries a small procurator of Syrian origin but will do everything to promote the promotion of her offspring. She will first intrigue to overthrow her nephew Elagabalus in order to promote the elevation of her son. Throughout the reign of Alexander Severus, she will be omnipresent and hold the reins of power. She maintains a circle of philosophers, including Origen, and Christian sympathy is attributed to her. She is murdered with her son.