★ Aquilia Severa ★

PHOENICIA. Tyre. Aquilia Severa (Augusta, 220-221 & 221-222). Ae.

Obv: IVL AQVILIA SEVERA AVG.
Diademed and draped bust right.
Rev: TVRIORVM.
Astarte standing facing, turreted, holding long sceptre and resting on trophy, crowned by Nike standing left on small column; at her feet, to left, small palm tree; to right, murex shell.

RPC VI online 8654; Rouvier 2395-6; BMC 416.

Aquilia Severa, high priestess of Vesta, was Elagabalus' second wife. The marriage, celebrated in AD 220, was not well accepted by the Roman people, as the vestal vow of chastity was considered sacred. In the mind of the emperor, who identified himself with the Sun God, the marriage was meant to symbolise the union of two different religions, the Syriac and the Roman. The two however had no heirs and Elagabalus divorced Aquilia in 221 to marry Annia Faustina.

Condition: Fine.

Weight: 11.67 g.
Diameter: 28 mm.