Julia Dumna’s Story

 Julia Dumna (166c AD – 217 AD) was born in the ancient city of Emesa (Modern city of Homs central Syria). Her ancestors were Kings/Priest of the famous temple of Baal.

In the late 180s, Julia Dumna married future Emperor Septimius Severus. However the marriage proved to be a happy one and Severus cherished his wife and her political opinions, since she was very well educated and keen on philosophy. Together, they had two sons, the future emperors Lucius Septimius Bassianus (Caracalla) in 186 and Publius Septimius Geta in 189.

In the Roman Civil War (193 AD), Julia Dumna accompanied her husband in his campaigns in the East, She was the first Roman woman to have the honor of minting coins with her portrait on it, as well as titles such as: Mater Castrorum (Mother of the camp), Augusta. The most famous of them was Dumna (alt spelling Domna) which mean the Great Lady.

After her husband Emperor Severus died, in 211 AD, Julia Dumna remained the power behind the throne in the reign of her two sons. Emperors Caracalla and Geta.

Julia Dumna died in 217 AD and was deified by the Roman senate and proclaimed goddess.