Orbiana AD 225. Rome
Denarius AR

18 mm, 3,08 g

[SALL] BARBIA ORBIANA AVG, diademed and draped bust right / CONCORDIA AVGG, Concordia seated left on throne, holding patera & double cornucopiae.

Nearly Very Fine

RIC 319; RSC 1.

Orbiana, born Seia Herennia Sallustia Barbia Orbiana, was briefly a Roman empress, married to Emperor Severus Alexander around AD 225. She was granted the title of Augusta, symbolizing her elevated status as the emperor's wife. However, her time as empress was marred by tension, primarily due to the influence of Severus Alexander's mother, Julia Mamaea, who dominated the imperial court and resented any challenge to her authority. The situation worsened when Orbiana's father, Seius Sallustius, was accused of plotting against Severus Alexander in an attempt to gain power for himself. This alleged conspiracy led to Sallustius's execution, and Orbiana was stripped of her title and exiled to North Africa, far from the center of Roman power. Her downfall was swift, reflecting the brutal nature of Roman politics, where imperial family members often fell victim to power struggles.