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)

Africa under Septimius Severus 201

Female influence in public affairs was developed during the
career of the two Faustinas, but it reached its climax when
Julia Domna was raised to the throne. The prominent part
played in political life by this remarkable personage is almost
unique. A Phoenician by birth and daughter of a priest of the
temple of the Sun at Emesa in Syria, she emerged from com-
parative obscurity in a remote town to become the most con-
spicuous figure of her time. Her mental powers were only
excelled by personal charms, and her influence in imperial
matters was second only to that of the Emperor himself. But
her conduct in private life was notorious and can only be
measured by the loose tone of morality which then prevailed in
court society. The reins of government appear to have been so
essential to her existence that, on the death of Severus, Julia
Domna did not hesitate to marry his son and successor Caracalla,
although he was her stepson. There is much conflicting evi-
dence as to the truth of this statement. Dion Cassius, a person
in high authority during this reign, is silent on this subject, but
Justinus, who was also a contemporary, endorses the statement,
and Spartianus, Aurelius Victor, and others give it their support.
The words used by Spartianus are: quemadmodum novercam
suam Juliam uxorem duxisse dicatur; and in his account of her
marriage with Caracalla he says, in words that will scarcely bear
translation: Qua qu um essetpulcherrima, et quasi per negligentiam
se maxima corporis parte nudasset, dixissetque Antoninus * Vellem,
si liceret;' respondisse fertur, ' Si libet, licet. An nescis te im-
peratorem esse, et leges dare, non accipere ? '

The name of Domna is peculiar. According to Suidas it
was a Syrian proper name, but some commentators regard the
word as an abbreviation of domina nostra, the Emperor Severus
being dominus noster. Among the numerous dedications to the
Empress, one at Castellum near Sicca Veneria (El-Kef) possesses
some interest, clearly indicating the unusual titles of distinction
accorded to her as Mother of the Army, the Senate, and the
country.1 And another found at Thagastc (Souk-Ahras) gives
the name of the Empress followed by that of the Emperor, as
though Septimius Severus were a secondary person in public
estimation.'2 The date of this inscription is A.D. 19S, the year

C.I.L. No. 15722.

= C.I.L. No. 17214.