Decius, was the first of many Illyrian or Barracks emperors to come, originating from the modern day former Yugoslavia, especially Serbia. Decius was a distinguished senator who had served as a consul, governor and urban prefect of Rome. He was proclaimed emperor by troops fighting for him against a revolt on the Danube. Philip the Arab, marched against him and was defeated. An able ruler he died fighting the Goths at the Battle of Abritus.
The fate of an emperor s spouse was ultimately tied to the fortunes of her husband, father-in-law and sons. With the capture of her father-in-law, Valerian, by the Persians, the army on the Rine...
Otacilia Severa was the empress of Rome and wife of the emperor Philip the Arab, who reigned over the Roman Empire from 244 to 249 CE. She was a member of the ancient noble Otacilia family, of...
Julia Soaemias was the mother of the emperor Elagabalus, a member of the powerful Emesan dynasty along with Julia Mamaea, Julia Maesa and Julia Domna. She helped orchestrate Elagabalus s rise to...
Fulvia Plautilla was a Roman noblewoman married to emperor Caracalla. Apparently the marriage was short and deeply unhappy, likely never consumated, and ended when Caracalla accused Plautilla's...
Domitian was the younger brother of Titus and son of Vespasian, and the last member of the Flavian dynasty. As emperor, Domitian strengthened the economy by revaluing the Roman coinage, expanded the...