Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus, Sestertius

Julia Domna, Sestertius, AE, Augusta AD 193–217; Rome, c. AD 204–211; 19.6 g; 30 mm. Obverse: IVLIA AVGVSTA, draped bust right. Reverse: MATER DEVM, Cybele (Magna Mater) seated left, turreted, holding branch and scepter; lion at feet; S C in field. Struck at Rome in orichalcum on the standard sestertius module. RIC IV (Septimius Severus) 859.

Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus and mother of Caracalla and Geta, played a prominent role in Severan policy and public imagery. The MATER DEVM reverse aligns the empress with the state cult of the Magna Mater (Cybele), reflecting the Severan emphasis on traditional Roman religion and public ceremonies at Rome in the early third century, notably around the Secular Games of AD 204.