Julia Maesa

In this list of the most powerful women of Ancient Rome we also have Julia Maesa. Julia Maesa, a member of the Severan and Emesene dynasties, was born in Syria in the year 160. She was married to Julius Avitus Alesianus and the mother of Julia Mamaea and Julia Soaemias, two strong Roman women.

Julia Maesa had assisted in the assassination of Macrinus in order to install her grandson Elagabalus as king, but she quickly saw how unpopular the young man was. She made the choice to swap him and his mother out for Julia Mamaea and Alexander Severus, her other daughter. She forced Elagabalus to adopt Alexander Severus as his heir, bestowing upon him many honors. Alexander Severus was named the new emperor when Elagabalus was overthrown by the Praetorians. After Julia Maesa passed away, Alexander Severus, who was appreciative, turned her into a deity.

She also played a significant role in the administration of the Roman Empire because she was the first woman to succeed in installing both of her grandchildren as emperors of Rome when they were just 14 years old.