Beryl intaglio with portrait of Julia Domna

Unknown

ca. 200–210 CE · Beryl · Greek and Roman Art

Julia Domna was the wife of the Emperor Septimius Severus (A.D. 193–211) and the mother of Caracalla (A.D. 211–217) and his ill-fated younger brother Geta (A.D. 211–212). The empress came from Syria and introduced a distinct eastern influence into the Roman ruling elite. It was largely through her Syrian relatives that the Severan dynasty was able to continue in power until A.D. 235. Her portrait was widely copied and distributed as part of the propaganda campaign of her ambitious family.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 200–210 CE

Medium

Beryl

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1925