Roman Imperial
Julia Maesa (218-224, grandmother of Elagabal and Alexander Severus), Antoninianus 218-222, Rome mint
Obverse: diademed bust on crescent right
IVLIA MAESA AVG
Reverse: Pietas standing left, extending her right hand over an altar and holding incense-box in left hand
PIETAS AVG
Diameter 21 mm, weight 5.59 g
Julia Maesa was born at Emesa in Syria, daughter of Julius Bassianus, priest of the Sun, sister of Julia Domna and grandmother of Elagabalus. She married Julius Avitus, by whom she had Julia Soaemias and Julia Mamaea, who was the mother of Severus Alexander. She was very wealthy and, when she retired to Emesa at the time of Caracalla 's death, she used that wealth to induce the soldiers to proclaim Elagabalus Emperor. She proceeded to Rome after the defeat of Macrinus and, though against the law, took her seat in the Senate and tried in vain to give good counsel to Elagabalus. She died, regretted, in third year of the reign of Severus Alexander whom she had persuaded Elagabalus to adopt as his successor.
