19 Facts About Julia Domna

Julia Domna was the first empress of the Severan dynasty.

Julia Domna received titles such as "Mother of the Invincible Camps".

Julia Domna committed suicide in 217 upon hearing of Caracalla's assassination in the course of his campaign against Parthia, on which she had accompanied him to Antioch.

Julia Domna was born in Emesa in Syria around 160 AD to an Arab family that was part of the Emesan dynasty.

Julia Domna's name, Domna, is an archaic Arabic word meaning "black", referencing the nature of the sun god Elagabalus which took the form of a black stone.

Julia Domna was the youngest daughter of the high priest of Baal, Julius Bassianus, and sister to Julia Maesa.

Julia Domna's ancestors were priest kings of the temple of Elagabalus.

Julia Domna built "the most splendid reputation" by applying herself to letters and philosophy.

Julia Domna gave birth to their two sons, Lucius Septimius Bassianus in 188 in Lugdunum, and Publius Septimius Geta the following year in Rome.

Unlike most imperial wives, Julia Domna remarkably accompanied her husband on his military campaigns and stayed in camp with the army.

Several medallions for Domna were issued by Severus as early as 207, on the reverses of which is "Vesta Mater", which, according to Molly M Lindner, "could refer to an invocation to Vesta during prayers and supplications that the Vestal Virgins made whenever they prayed publicly".

Either the reconstruction of [the temple] took more than fifteen years, or Julia Domna had a different motivation, perhaps one connected to her role as the mother of Septimius Severus' heirs, as the legend on the reverses suggests.

When Severus died in 211 in Eboracum, Julia Domna became the mediator between their two sons, Caracalla and Geta, who were supposed to rule as joint emperors, according to their father's wishes expressed in his will.

Caracalla's mother, Julia Domna, accompanied her son on his provincial tour.

Julia Domna chose to commit suicide after hearing about the rebellion, perhaps a decision hastened by the fact that she was suffering from breast cancer, as well as a reluctance to return to private life.

Julia Domna is remembered for having encouraged Philostratus to write the Life of Apollonius of Tyana.

Julia Domna is thought to have died before Philostratus could finish his work of eight volumes.

Julia Domna influenced Roman fashion: the hairstyle that she used would later be worn by Roman empress Cornelia Salonina and Palmyran queen Zenobia.

Julia Domna seems to have made the wearing of wigs, a custom of Assyrians, popular among Romans.