Julia Domna: Syrian Empress (Women of the Ancient World)

This book covers Julia’s life, and charts her travels throughout the Empire from Aswan to York during a period of profound upheaval, and seeks the truth about this woman who inspired such extreme and contrasting views, exposing the instability of our sources about her, and characterizing a sympathetic, courageous, intelligent, and important woman. This book contains a fresh re-assessment of the one of the most significant figures of her time and questions: • Was Julia more powerful than earlier empresses? • Did she really promote despotism? • How seriously is her literary circle to be taken? As part of a dynasty which used force and violence to preserve its rule, she was distrusted by its subjects; as a Syrian, she was the object of prejudice; as a woman with power, she was resented. On the other hand, Domna was the centre of a literary circle considered highly significant by nineteenth-century admirers. Julia Domna's Influence On Her Age, Unlike That Of Most Women Of Ancient Rome, Has Not Been Underestimated. Throughout History She Has Been Regarded As One Of The Most Important Figures To Operate Behind The Imperial Throne. In Fact, As The Emperor Septimius Severus' Prized And Respected Wife And The Loyal Mother Of Caracalla, Who Joined Them And Their Armies In Their Travels, She Was On Hand For All The Emperors' Decisions And A Figure Visible Throughout The Empire. Yet Her Fame Has Come At A Price. As Part Of A Dynasty Which Used Force And Violence To Preserve Its Rule, She Was Distrusted By Its Subjects; As A Syrian, She Was The Object Of Prejudice; As A Woman With Power, She Was Resented. Such Judgements Have Been Persistent: Some Modern Historians Blame Julia And Her Dynasty For The Century Of Crisis That Followed Their Rule, For The Corruption Of The Empire, Civil War, Oriental Despotism, And Exotic Novelties In The Imperial Cult. On The Other Hand, Domna Was The Centre Of A Literary Circle Considered Highly Significant By Nineteenth-century Admirers. This Book Contains An Overdue Reassessment Of These Assumptions. This Book Covers Julia's Life, And Charts Her Travels From Aswan To York During A Period Of Profound Upheaval, Seeking The Truth About This Woman Who Inspired Such Extreme And Contrasting Views, Exposing The Instability Of Our Sources About Her, And Characterizing A Sympathetic, Courageous, Intelligent, And Important Woman.--book Jacket. The Woman Of Emesa -- Marriage -- Domna On Her Travels -- Empress -- Plautianus And The Struggle For The Succession -- The Reign Of Caracalla -- Cultural Activities -- Image And Cult -- Aftermath. Barbara Levick. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [216]-230) And Indexes. Humanities Book Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Illustrations 10 Acknowledgements 12 Abbreviations 14 Family trees 20 Maps 24 Chronology 29 Introduction 34 1 The woman of Emesa 39 2 Marriage 56 3 Domna on her travels 68 4 Empress 90 5 Plautianus and the struggle for the succession 107 6 The reign of Caracalla 128 7 Cultural activities 148 8 Image and cult 165 9 Aftermath 186 Glossary of ancient terms 205 Notes 208 Bibliography 257 Index of places 272 Index of persons 276 General index 282 Syrian Empress