7Julia Soaemias

On the death of Caracalla and his mother the praetorian prefect Macrinus became emperor. He allowed Julia Domna’s relatives to retire to Syria. This proved a mistake. Julia Soaemias was niece to Julia Domna and had a son that she thought would make a fine emperor.

Plotting with others and using her wealth she raised a rebellion which soon overthrew Macrinus. Her son Elagabalus, aged 14, was made emperor but Julia Soaemias was the real power in Rome. She was the first woman to be allowed into the Senate. Her son, however, caused problems. He devalued the currency, annoyed the Senate, worshipped foreign gods, took male lovers, and married a Vestal Virgin. Turning on the emperor the Praetorian Guard killed him and his mother.

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