Career
Grandmother of both the Roman emperors Elagabalus and Alexander Severus, she figured prominently in the ascension of each to the title at the age of fourteen. Following the death of Caracalla, Julia Maesa rescued the Severan dynasty from the usurper Macrinus. Julia Maesa was married to Syrian noble Gaius Julius Avitus Alexianus by whom had two daughters Julia Soaemias Bassiana and Julia Avita Mamaea each one mother of an emperor.
The new emperor Macrinus did not proscribe her and allowed her to keep her money.
The two Julias were successful, mainly because Macrinus was of an obscure origin without the proper political connections and Elagabalus became emperor. Foreign her loyalty and support, Elagabalus honored Julia Maesa with the title Augusta avia Augusti (Augusta, grandmother of Augustus).
The teenager proved to be a disaster as emperor, scorning Roman values with both religious and sexual scandals. He took the liberty in marrying a Vestal Virgin (she was one of a rumored five wives during his brief four years reign), Julia Maesa decided to promote instead her fourteen-year-old grandson Alexander Severus.
She convinced Elagabalus to adopt Alexander as his heir.
Elagabulus was murdered shortly afterwards by the Praetorian Guard alongside his mother. Both were thrown into the Tiber river in contempt after being dragged from the palace through the streets. This event followed a rumor that Alexander had died.
Julia Maesa died on an uncertain date around 226.