Julius Bassianus

Who was Julius Bassianus?

Gaius Julius Bassianus or Bassus, also known as Julius Bassianus was a Syrian High Priest. Bassianus was a high priest for the Temple of the Sun, which was adored in a shape of a black stone. The Aramaean Sun God in Aramaic is El-Gebal. Bassianus was a member of the Royal family of Emesa. The Royal Family was a part of the local Syrian Aramaean aristocracy and was a client kingdom of the Roman Empire. The beginning of his priesthood is unknown but by 187, he was a high priest at Emesa. Bassianus was a son of a Julius and his paternal uncle was Julius Agrippa, who served as a Primipilaris.

Future emperor Lucius Septimius Severus had visited Emesa, based on a promising horoscope that he would find his future wife in Syria. Bassianus introduced Severus to his two daughters. Bassianus' wife is unknown. His elder daughter Julia Maesa was married to a Syrian noble Gaius Julius Avitus Alexianus and they had two daughters Julia Soaemias Bassiana and Julia Avita Mamaea. His younger daughter Julia Domna was not married.

Severus and Domna, married not so long after. Domna bore Severus two sons, Lucius Septimius Bassianus and Publius Septimius Geta. Caracalla and Geta would become future Roman Emperors and heirs to their father.