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Writing.

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This post was a key source of inspiration for The Saturnalia Queen.

Working on the next one....

The enigmatic emperor Caracalla. Lucius Septimius Bassianus, renamed Marcus Aurelius Antoninus at age 7, was born on April 4, 188 in Lugdunum, Gaul (Lyon, France). Like 'Caligula', he's known by a nickname rather than his name.

His father, Septimius Severus, became the first Roman emperor of North African origin in 192; His mother, Julia Domna, was a noble lady of Arab origin born in Emesa (Homs, Syria)

Publius Septimius Geta was born in Rome, 11 months after his brother 'Caracalla'. All historical sources claim that they never had a brotherly relationship. According to historians, Geta was more appreciated by the Senate and the people than his brother. Herodian wrote that they constantly fought for any reason and "it was impossible to hide the rivalry between the brothers, although the emperor Septimius tried in vain to keep this from being known".

"Geta and Caracalla" by Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema (detail). In this painting the Emperor Septimius and the Empress Julia Domna are shown seated. Geta is standing next to a woman, and Caracalla is pensive by a column; the painter depicts him as sad - perhaps jealous - of his brother's popularity.

An unusual empress

Busts of Julia Domna. Photos :Bibi Saint-Pol, and Daderot (CC)

Julia Domna always accompanied her husband in all the campaigns, the reign of Septimius Severus was extremely militarized. She received the title Mater Castrorum (Mother of the legionary camps). She made political decisions directly, something unprecedented in Rome for a woman. After the death of Septimius, Julia Domna was granted the titles: Mater Senatus and Mater Patriae (Mother of the Senate, Mother of the Fatherland). She was a scholar in Philosophy, and had a notable influence on that subject. She was involved in several architectural projects including the famous Caracalla Baths, enormous work planning by her husband . She was highly respected by the Senate throughout her reign (192-217).

"Let there be peace among you both, pay the army well and forget the rest". -Septimius Severus to his children on his deathbed

'Geta Dying in his Mother's Arms' by Jacques Pajou.

Britannia, February 4, 211: Septimius died of natural causes, accompanied by his family. Caracalla and Geta, aged 22 and 21, had been emperors with their father since childhood, but after the death of Septimius, as expected, such co-government would not last long.

According to contemporary historian of that period, Herodian : "The co-emperors constantly quarreled and feared that one of them would poison the other, so they did not eat at the same table."

Rome, December 27, 211: 'Caracalla' ordered the execution of Geta, claiming to have discovered that his brother was plotting to assassinate him. The execution carried out by two centurions was in the presence of Julia Domna. According to contemporary sources, Caracalla had tried to kill Geta a few days earlier, during the Saturnalia festival. Caracalla also ordered the execution of all Geta's supporters, a real massacre.

Caracalla declared Damnatio memoriae against his brother and decreed that speaking or writing about Geta was a crime punishable by death.

A year later, he left Rome to embark on provincial campaigns, never returning to the capital. His mother was left in charge of the emperor's civil duties, which he considered "mundane matters."

Julia Domna received requests, answered correspondence, and even spoke on behalf of her son at important meetings, while Caracalla devoted himself to his true passion: the military. It is more than likely, almost obvious, that all the beauty and refinement in every detail of the famous "Baths of Caracalla" were the work of Julia Domna and not her son.

If you were born in Roman territory so you're a Roman.

In 212 he issued the Constitutio Antoniniana, also known as the Edict of Caracalla, which granted Roman citizenship to every free men and women living in Roman territory - although by then Roman citizenship had increased significantly throughout the empire - and from then on every free child born in the Empire was a Roman

An awesome site

Baths of Caracalla. Reconstruction made by team of 'History in 3D'

The Caldarium (sauna) was built in the Pantheon style and the vestibule was in basilica style; Just two simple parts of a baths building were something magnificent in themselves. It was an immense complex that, in addition to the typical cold, warm, and hot baths, dressing room, massage and beauty salons, included two libraries, gym, impressive swimming pools, a stadium , vast gardens, a small museum with exhibitions of works of art, and a shopping center with a wide variety of businesses.

The Alexandria Massacre

'Caracalla' by Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema

After a trip through the eastern provinces, in December 215 he arrived in Alexandria. The Alexandrians, outraged by the death of emperor Geta, began to public perform plays of satire mocking Caracalla and in which they called empress mother "Jocasta." According to the famous legend, Jocasta was the mother of Oedipus who, after killing his father, had married his own mother. Upon discovering this his wrath was such that ordered a massive executions. Caracalla attacked the city with his troops for several days, in a kind of personal war against Alexandria.

Unexpected death

Gold medal bust of Caracalla with the shield of Alexander the Great. By Sailko /CC BY 3.0 /wikimedia commons.

In 216 he offered King Artabanus IV of Parthia to marry his daughter, but the king rejected the offer. Caracalla took advantage of this "snub" to start a campaign against the Parthian empire. He began attacking the countryside east of the Tigris. According to historians, Caracalla had an obsessive admiration for Alexander the Great and wanted to emulate him by following his route.

In early 217 he was in Edessa (modern Şanlıurfa,Turkey) preparing to restart the campaign.

On April 8, 217, four days after his 29th birthday, he was traveling to a temple near Carras (Harran, southern Turkey) and the praetorian soldier Martialis assassinated him with his sword. According to historical sources, the Prefect of the Praetorian Guard, Macrinus commissioned him to assassination. Martialis was executed immediately after Caracalla's death, and three days later Macrinus proclaimed himself emperor.

Empress Julia Domna was in Antioch, upon learning of the assassination decided to take her own life.

This seems like the end of The Severan dynasty, however it wasn't. Julia Maesa, older sister of Julia Domna, was a strong lady.

In her hometown, Emessa, where Macrino had forced her to return, she took advantage of the fact that it was a place with an important military base. She organized with the legions a war against the usurper Macrinus. She placed his grandson Elagabalus on the throne on May of 218. Macrinus, who had fled to Cappadocia, was executed two months later. After the death of Elagabalus, the other grandson of Julia Maesa, Alexander Severus, ruled until 235.

"I know that none of you like what I do, that's why I have weapons and troops: so that at no time do I have to worry about what you say about me." -Caracalla to the Senate

According to Dio Cassius, Caracalla was more of a soldier than an emperor, hated the spectacles of the Colosseum, had a special devotion to the Greco-Egyptian god Serapis, and established the fashion in Rome of the hooded Gallic garment known as Caracalla, and this is the reason why he was given the Agnomen (nickname) by which he is known in history.

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Another positive review for The Saturnalia Queen!

"The Saturnalia Queen is lush, lyrical historical fiction with romantic teeth. It’s not here to give you a tidy HEA. It’s here to make you question how far you’d go for love — and what you’re willing to lose along the way."

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Look who's on the shelf

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Roman calendar - April 27/28*-May 2, Floralia

Festival of Flora, a goddess of spring, flowers, vegetation and fertility. During the festival week the Games of Flora (Ludi Florae) were held. During these games people could watch theatrical performances, nude dancing, circus events, gladiator combats and also ritual sacrifices.

More info here:

https://penelope.uchicago.edu/encyclopaedia_romana/calendar/floralia.html

*= Julian Calendar

fresco: Villa Arianna, Stabiae, 1st century CE

attribution:

ArchaiOptix, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Baths of Caracalla Rome, Italy

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The Saturnalia Queen is getting good reviews!

"....a beautifully written historical romance that draws you into the world of ancient Rome and the mystical forests of Germania..."

"The worldbuilding? Chef's kiss. The tension? Palpable. The moral gray area? As wide as the Roman Empire. If you like your love stories spicy, a little dangerous, and full of questionable choices, this one's calling your name."

Don't want to support Amazon? Order it from your local bookstore!

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Last day to enter the Giveaway!

Don't miss your chance to win a free e-book copy of The Saturnalia Queen! The Goodreads Giveaway ends tonight at 11:59 pm.

GIF by io-pentesilea

Gelvira shifted slightly and gazed at Caracalla’s face. He looked younger as he slept, his boyish features, scruffy beard, and wayward curls giving the impression of innocence. But Gelvira knew better. She lay next to a serpent, one that could strike a killing blow at any time. Careful, Gelvira, she thought. Alaric was trying to warn you of how dangerous this man is. You may be forced to play his game, but you must play to win.

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tumblr should give us the ability to stab users on the Ides of March, and if you stab one user 23 times, you get a knife badge.

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Beware, 'Tis the Ides of March! My Goodreads Giveaway is live and available for one week!

Let me know if you have entered by dropping a 🔪emoji in the comments below!

If you do win a copy of The Saturnalia Queen, please share your review on Goodreads. It would make a difference in getting the word out!

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Soon, my darlings...

My Goodreads Giveaway for The Saturnalia Queen begins at midnight tonight!

Only 100 lucky souls will read about the downfall of another Roman prince...

Beware...

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Hooray, it's a Goodreads Book Giveaway!

Starting next Saturday, March 15th, enter to win one of 100 free Epub versions of The Saturnalia Queen on Goodreads! (US based readers only). The Giveaway ends after one week March 22, 2025.

See more details at Goodreads.

Link to Enter!

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Exciting things are coming...

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Caracalla’s eyes darted around the grove before coming to rest once again on Gelvira. “Does my Saturnalia Queen seek to sacrifice me?” he asked, and his voice was as sharp as the blade in his hand.

“I cannot see what the All Mother wants,” Gelvira whispered.

“And what does Gelvira want?” Caracalla asked, stepping forward to hold the knife to her throat. “Perhaps it is you who is to be sacrificed.”

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So excited to see The Saturnalia Queen being carried by bookstores all over the world!

If you're in Sydney, AU, visit Abbey's Bookshop.

If you're in NYC, visit The Strand.

In Japan? Check out Rakuten.

Thank you to each one of you!