Julia Domna

Julia Domna, who was born in 160 AD, was wed to Septimius Severus, the final emperor to rule Rome following the year of the Five Emperors in 193CE. She assumed the title of Roman Empress in 193 and held it until 211 AD.

Julia Domna earned the moniker Mater Castorum - Mother of the Camp by accompanying her husband on his numerous campaigns to establish his kingdom. Despite being the Roman Emperor's wife, she developed her own personality and esteem among the Romans by battling Severus in different conflicts. She was one of Severus' principal counselors and played a significant effect in the majority of his choices. During the Year of the Five Emperors, in which Commodus was the first to be assassinated on New Year's Eve,192, she also advised and supported her husband. Being a woman of culture and intellect, she promoted philosophy in Rome and funded construction projects. She was featured on coins.

After her husband passed away, Julia Domna took on the role of middleman between their sons Caracalla and Geta, who hated one another yet had to share the throne. Caracalla killed his brother and reigned by himself, which partially strained his bond with his mother. She nevertheless accompanied Caracalla in a war against the Parthians.

She was also noted for her social, political, and intellectual inspirations and had a propensity for philosophy. Unfortunately, after her son Caracalla was killed during one of the operations against Pathia in 217 AD, she committed suicide.