ABSTRACT
Like ‘the new Julia Augusta’ – Livia in AD 14 – Domna was a significant factor in the continuity of the imperial regime.1 The constraints on power that derived from her relation to her husband and son were different from those that limited Livia’s scope: Tiberius was a man in his mid-fifties, an established politician and soldier; it was principle and regard for his own constitutional position and status that made him restrictive. Caracalla’s position was more like Nero’s. He had all the necessary constitutional powers, only his use of them, except on campaign, had not been proven. His mother’s sixteen years at the centre of power gave her high authority; but Caracalla was impatient of advisers.2
