We have now before us the main personages in the political revolution of the year A.D. 218, a revolution which displaced the Moor, the beloved of the Senate, and replaced the house of Severus, the beloved of the army, upon that peak whereon the young Emperors of old Rome balanced themselves—a peak with a precipice on either side. First, there is the _Empress Julia Domna Pia_, clever, witty, sagacious, and beautiful. Then her sister, _Julia Maesa, Sanctissima_,—for so her religiosity is described—the widow of Julius Avitus, wealthy, hard, crafty, and domineering, but a woman with a policy and limitless determination, as her later history shows. Then her two daughters— (1) _Julia Soaemias Bassiana_, the wife of Varius Marcellus, beautiful, voluptuous, religious, neurotic, the mother of Elagabalus, a woman with few, if any, political aspirations, tendencies, or abilities. (2) _Julia Mamaea_, the upright (except when other things paid better), classic, cold, calculating, philosophic, mildly interested in Christianity, and devoted to the interests of her own family. Finally, the two successive Emperors, their sons, _Varius Avitus Bassianus_, the impulsive, affectionate, headstrong child of about thirteen years, with all his mother’s hereditary sexuality, neurotic religion, and love of life; and _Alexianus_, a child of approximately nine, Mamaea’s son, and bearing her reputation, of whom more at a later time. Let us follow in outline the actions and movements of this family from the death of the Emperor Antoninus Caracalla to the inception of the movement which placed his, at least reputed, son in his place. [Illustration: Medal of Julia Domna Pia, Empress (British Museum). Coin of Julia Maesa Augusta (British Museum). Coin of Julia Soaemias Augusta (British Museum). Coin of Julia Mamaea Augusta (British Museum). _Face page 40._]