★ Deascenscion of Mesa into the heavens ★

Julia Maesa, sister of Julia Domna (died 224 AD). AR Denarius, Antioch mint. Struck under Severus Alexander, 225 AD. DIVA MAESA AVG. Draped bust right. / CONSECRATIO. Julia Maesa holding sceptre, seated left on peacock flying upwards. RIC (Sev. Alex.) 378; C3 (Fr.100). AR. 3.25 g. 18.50 mm. RR. Very rare and in exeptional condition for issue. From masterly engraved dies, with a delicate portrait and a spectacular reverse. Superb and prettily toned. EF. Ex Hess-Leu 41, 1969, lot 391. Julia Maesa was a very powerful and influential figure in the Severan dynasty. She was the sister of Julia Domna and sister in law to her husband, Septimius Severus. Her father was Gaius Julius Bassianus, the priest of the sun god Elagabal, the patron god of Emesa. As grandmother of both the Roman emperors Elagabalus and Alexander Severus, she figured preminently in their reigns. Orchestrating the assassination of Elagabalus, when he became a liability and ensuring Alexander Severus' accession in his places. She died and was deifield during his reign.