| Julia Maesa | |
|---|---|
| Augusta | |
 Antoninianus of Julia Maesa | |
| Born | 7 May before c. 160 Emesa, Syria |
| Died | After 224 Rome, Italy |
| Spouse | Julius Avitus Alexianus |
| Issue | |
| Dynasty | Emesene and Severan |
| Father | Julius Bassianus |
Julia Maesa (7 May before 160 AD – c. 224 AD) was a member of the Severan dynasty of the Roman Empire who was the grandmother of emperors Elagabalus and Severus Alexander, elder sister of empress Julia Domna, and mother of Julia Soaemias and Julia Mamaea. She wielded influence during the reigns of her grandsons as Augusta of the Empire from 218 to her death, especially on their elevation to emperors.[1][2]
Born in Emesa, Syria (modern day Homs), to an Arab family of priests of the deity Elagabalus, Maesa and her sister Domna were the daughters of Julius Bassianus. Through her sister's marriage, Maesa became sister-in-law to Septimius Severus and aunt of Caracalla and Geta, who all became emperors. She married fellow Syrian Julius Avitus, who was of consular rank.[3][4] They had two daughters, Soaemias and Mamaea,[1] who became mothers of Elagabalus and Severus Alexander, respectively.[3]
As one of the Severan dynasty's prominent women, Maesa sought to return to power after her sister's suicide.[1] She was closely involved in raising her grandson Elagabalus, and after his murder, another grandson, Severus Alexander, as emperors, which resulted in the restoration of the Severan dynasty to the Roman throne after the assassination of Caracalla and the usurpation of the throne by Macrinus.[5] Sometime after Alexander's accession, she died in Rome.[6] She was later deified in Syria along with her sister.[7][3]
- ^ a b c Salisbury 2001, p. 183.
- ^ Birley 2002, p. 222.
- ^ a b c Grant 1996, p. 47.
- ^ Burns 2006, p. 207.
- ^ Burns 2006, p. 209.
- ^ Burns 2006, p. 217.
- ^ Lee 2016, p. 16.