Sallustia Barbia Orbiana
Wife of Severus Alexander
Sallustia Barbia Orbiana was married to Emperor Severus Alexander in about 225 AD. Her mother-in-law, Julia Mamaea, proved to be a dominant and jealous woman who eventually saw Orbiana as a threat to her own influence and ordered her son to banish her to Africa following the execution of her father.
Orbiana was depicted in art for her beauty. Full statues of her have survived depicting her as very beautiful in the eyes of Roman art. Hen, Orbiana was known for her beauty, which indeed made her mother-in-law Mamaea quite jealous. Mamaea grew more and more jealous as a strong bond developed between Orbiana and Severus Alexander. Severus’s mother was extremely dominant.
Mamaea was extremely cruel to Orbiana and forced her to flee to her father Sallustius who had been raised to the rank of Caesar when his daughter was married to Alexander in 225AD. Sallustius made an attempt on the life of his son-in-law and as a result, he was executed two years later. His daughter Orbiana was then banished to Libya.
Monetary System
Mints: Rome, Egypt
Obverse Legends:
SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG
Portrait Styles:
1) Draped bust right
2) Draped bust right with Diadem
DENOMINATIONS
AU Aureus
AR Denarius (2.7 grams)
AR Quinarius (1.54 grams)
Æ Sestertius (18.3 grms)
Æ As (11.23 grams)
EGYPT
Æ Tetradrachm (12.28 grams)
