Aquilia Severa AD 220-222. Rome
Denarius AR

18 mm, 3,51 g

IVLIA AQVILIA SEVERA AVG, draped bust right / CONCORDIA, Elagabalus and Aquilia standing facing each other, clasping hands.

Very Fine

RIC 228.

Julia Aquilia Severa, a Vestal Virgin, caused controversy by marrying Emperor Elagabalus in AD 220, breaking her vow of celibacy. Elagabalus's religious beliefs may have influenced the marriage, as he worshipped the sun god Elagabal and saw the union as symbolic of his god's marriage to Vesta. The marriages were later annulled, and Elagabalus married Annia Faustina, but he returned to Severa shortly after. Their relationship was marked by uncertainty and rumors. After Elagabalus's assassination in AD 222, Severa's fate remains unknown.