Julia Mamaea

Julia Avita Mamaea

Dynasty: Severans

Julia Mamaea was mother of Severus Alexander, the daughter of Julia Maesa, and the niece of Julia Domna, who was married to the Emperor Septimius Severus. It was through this tenuous link that Julia Maesa ensured that the sons of her daughter became Emperors. When Elegabalus was murdered in AD 222, Julia Mamaea's son, Severus Alexander, inherited the Empire. To strengthen his cause, Julia Mamaea reportedly put out the story that she too, like her sister, had slept with her cousin the Emperor Caracalla and that Severus Alexander was really his son. Julia Mamaea was renown for her greed and her control over her son. In AD 225 she found him a bride in Sallustia Orbiana, but soon forced him to banish her and her father. In AD 235 she was killed, with her son, by the army on the Northern frontier, who rebelled under their comrade Maximinus

Obverse Legends on coins depicting Julia Mamaea

For explanations of many of the abbreviations used in Roman imperial obverse legends, click here.

• IVLIA MAMAEA AVG
• IVLIA MAMAEA AVG MAT AVG IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG
• IVLIA MAMAEA AVG MAT AVGVSTI
• IVLIA MAMAEA AVG MATER AVG IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG
• IVLIA MAMAEA AVG MATER AVG IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG
• IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA

Coins of Julia Mamaea currently available

Julia Mamaea Bronze sestertius issued AD 228 Obv: IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA, Diademed, draped bust facing right Rev: FELICITAS PVBLICA, Felicitas standing left holding caduceus and resting on column, SC across Good Very Fine   |   AUD $220.00