Marcus Julius Gessius Bassianus[1] (flourished 3rd century) was a Magister (master) in the Arval Brethren during the reign of Roman emperor Caracalla who ruled from 212 until 217.[1]
Bassianus seems to be linked to the Julii and the Bassiani.[2] From his name, could point to him as a possible son of the Syrian Roman nobles Marcus Julius Gessius Marcianus and Julia Avita Mamaea,[3] being a possible brother of Roman emperor Alexander Severus[4] and his sister, Theoclia.[4][5] If this is correct, Bassianus was a relation to the Royal family of Emesa and the Severan dynasty of the Roman Empire.[6]
Bassianus was not a known Priest of the cult of Elagabalus.[7] Although he was a Roman Priest, was unable to attend the ceremonies of the Arval Brethren in Rome, probably due to Bassianus being based in the East.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Prado, The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction?, p. xxiii
- ^ Prado, The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction?, p. 216
- ^ Birley, Septimius Severus: The African Emperor, pp. 217, 222
- ^ a b c Birley, Septimius Severus: The African Emperor, p. 222
- ^ Augustan History, "The Two Maximini", 29
- ^ Birley, Septimius Severus: The African Emperor
- ^ Prado, The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction?, p. 215
Sources[edit]
- Augustan History, "The Two Maximini"
- A.R. Birley, Septimius Severus: The African Emperor, Routledge, 2002
- L. de Arrizabalaga y Prado, The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction?, Cambridge University Press, 2010