Graham, Alexander: Roman Africa: an outline of the history of the Roman occupation of North Africa ; based chiefly upon inscriptions and monumental remains in that country (London [u.a.], 1902)

200

Roman Africa

of family at this period is attested by numerous writers, and no
name appears more frequently in the inscriptions handed down
to us than that of this celebrated Empress. Of the mother of
Severus there is nothing to record, but it is reasonable to assume
that, like her husband, she was an African and a native of
Leptis. Her memory, as the mother of an Emperor and bearing
the title of Augusta, is preserved on a slab of stone built into a
wall at Constantine.1

IVLIAE • VICTOR

MATRI IMP
CAES • L • SEPTI
MI • SEV • VII
PERTINACI
AVGG ET

TOTIVS
QVE DOMVS
SEVERIANAE
D ■ D • P

Concerning Marciana, the first wife of Severus, whom he
married at Leptis in his early youth and deserted in later years,
there is no record ; for, in all probability, she took no part in
public life and was content to pass her days in retirement.
Fortunately her name may still be read in an inscription in the
public gardens at Constantine.2 The word quondam seems to
indicate that the tablet was erected during her lifetime when
Julia Domna had been declared Empress. There is a touch of
sympathy in the wording of this simple memorial to a deserted
princess, whom the inhabitants of the renowned city of Cirta
desired to honour.

PACCIAE MAR
CIANAE QVON
DAM CONIVGI
IMP SEVERIAVG
PIISSIMI MAXI
MI PRINCIPIS
RES PVBL TTTI COL
CIRTA DD PP

1 C.I.L. No. 10S6S.

3 C.I.L. No. 19494.