Julia Domna Coin Pendant

Domna, Julia was the wife of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus and mother of Caracalla and Geta, both who ruled Rome as adults. Domna and her sons accompanied the emperor when he sailed to Britain in 208 to suppress a revolt there, and were with him when he was killed at Eboracum (modern York, England) in 211.

Severus had made Caracalla and Geta his joint successors, but despite Julia Domna’s peacekeeping efforts they disagreed and soon Caracalla was the sole ruler of Rome. As emperor, Caracalla spent little time in Rome. His mother accompanied him as his chief minister on all his travels, and, in fact, except for matters of the highest importance, she settled all affairs of state.

Having lived among the ruling classes of Rome for most of her life, Julia Domna knew well what her fate would be upon her son’s death. Rather than meet her fate at the hands of another, she took it into her own hands by refusing nourishment and her life ended in May or June of 217 AD.