Statuae Meae Ubique Steterunt: Some Considerations on Julia Domna’s Statue Bases from North Africa

Summary

Roman African provinces are characterized by an extraordinary number of epigraphic sources concerning the dynasty of the first African emperor, Septimius Severus. Among these are many statues dedicated to Severus’ Syrian wife Julia Domna, whose presence at the side of both her husband and her son Caracalla is recorded by the historical accounts on this period. A survey of the African inscriptions that commemorated the erection of statues in her honor leads to the conclusion that at least forty-five individual statues were put up during the reigns of both Severus and her son Caracalla. This number, if compared to the few statues erected to previous imperial women, is extremely significant for understanding the high profile role enjoyed by Domna. Her statues were present in many important cities, as well as in the important camp of Lambaesis. Furthermore, the triumphal arches built in the cities of Assuras, Theveste and Cuicul reveals the presence of other statues dedicated to Domna. It is therefore possible to observe that in North Africa she was perceived as a central member of the imperial family, rather than a mere instrument of propaganda used by Severus to promote the dynasty among his subjects.

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage