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)

212

Roman Africa

North Africa, that the name of Aurelius Antoninus Varius
rarely appears, and that the few tablets referring to him are in
a more or less fragmentary condition. Among them is one
found many years ago in a ruined Byzantine fortress at
Lambessa, much defaced and almost illegible, but with the aid
of so expert an epigraphist as Leon Renier the stones were put
together and the record made complete. It is a dedication to
the Emperor by the duplarii of the third legion Augusta on the
occasion of the return of the African army to headquarters after
a successful expedition in the East. The chief value of the
inscription lies in the inclusion of the two Empresses, grand-
mother and mother of Heliogabalus, thus perpetuating the
career of these two women as sharing imperial power with
Caesar himself. The wording as interpreted by Renier runs
thus:1

Pro salute domini nostri Imperatoris Ca?saris, Marci Aurelii Antonini,
Pii Felicis Augusti, pontificis maximi,patris patrio?, tribuniciapotestate,
consults,proconsulis, divi Magni Antonini filii, Divi Pii Severi nepotis,
et Julio? Mcesce Augusta?, avia? Augusti ?iostri, matris castrorum et
Se fiatus, et Julio? Soa?miadis Bassiano? Augusta?, matris Augusti nostri.

It may be observed that the name of the Emperor's reputed
father Caracalla is not mentioned. This omission is noteworthy
and helps to bear testimony to the statements of most writers
that Heliogabalus had no hereditary claim to the throne. The
suppression may be reasonably attributed to the two intriguing
Empresses, who virtually ruled the Empire during his reign.
The very few other inscriptions are open to doubt, inasmuch
as they are equally applicable to Caracalla and to Alexander
Severus, who was recognised by the Senate as his successor on
the throne.

The career of Alexander Severus is a pleasant chapter of
African history, recalling the brightest days of the Empire
under Augustus, Trajan, and Antoninus Pius. His father's
name, Genesius Marcianus (supposed to have been a native of
Phoenicia), has been almost forgotten, but the memory of his
mother, Julia Mammaea, the sister of Julia Soaemias and the
granddaughter of Julia Domna, will be retained to all time.
No one can read the biographical notices of the two Emperors

1 i.R.A. No. 90.