Tiberius Julius Balbillus

Tiberius Julius Balbillus[1] also known as Julius Balbillus[2] and Aurelius Julius Balbillus[3] (flourished second half of the 2nd century and the first half of the 3rd century) was an Emesene aristocrat from the Emesene dynasty in Roman Syria who served as a priest of the cult of Elagabalus (Latinized Aramaic name for the Syrian Sun God[4]) in Rome during the reigns of the Severan emperors Septimius Severus (r. 193–211) and Caracalla (r. 211–217).[5]

Life

Little is known on the origins of Balbillus; he was a direct descendant of the king Antiochus I Theos of Commagene[1] and a relation of the Roman empress Julia Domna[6] and her family. According to surviving inscriptions in Rome, Balbillus was a relation to Titus Julius Balbillus, another priest from the cult of Elagabalus in Rome.[7]

Balbillus is known from inscriptions as priest of Elagabalus in Rome during the reigns of Septimius Severus and Caracalla,[2] which are dated before 218.[8] The temple based in Rome devoted to ancient Syrian deities, including Elagabalus was located in Trastevere.[9] A priest in the cult of Elagabalus was called a sacerdos Solis,[10] while Elagabalus’s cult was called the Sol Invictus Elagabal.[10]

The priesthood of Balbillus, began at an unknown date before the end of the second century.[8] From inscriptions at the temple reveals, that Balbillus enjoyed imperial favour and established good cordial relations with the Vestal Virgins.[11] Prior to the reign of Elagabalus, Balbillus represented the cult of Elagabalus in Rome.[12] He probably catered the ritual needs connected with the cult of Elagabalus for Septimius Severus and Caracalla, which may have arisen among the Emesene members of the Severan household.[12]

From a surviving inscription in Rome dated April 4, 215, Balbillus dedicated an inscription in gratitude to the Vestal Virgin Terentia Flavola for the many services she had rendered him.[7] Despite the fact that Balbillus was a Roman citizen[3] from the Constitutio Antoniniana in 212 Balbillus assumed the Roman nomen Aurelius as after 215, Balbillus was also known as Aurelius Julius Balbillius.[3] After this moment, no more is known on Balbillus.

References
  1. Temporini, 2, Principat: 9, 2, p. 798
  2. Prado, The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction?, p. 211
  3. Wacher, The Roman world, Vol. 2, p. 697
  4. Birley, Septimius Severus: The African Emperor, p. 71
  5. Prado, The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction?, p.xxiv
  6. Prado, The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction?
  7. Halsberghe, The Cult of Sol Invictus, p. 55
  8. Halsberghe, The Cult of Sol Invictus, p. 53
  9. Prado, The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction?, p. 147
  10. Halsberghe, The Cult of Sol Invictus, p. 54
  11. Prado, The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction?, pp.147, 220
  12. Prado, The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction?, p. 220

Sources
  • G.H. Halsberghe, The Cult of Sol Invictus, Brill, 1972
  • H. Temporini & W. Haase, 2, Principat: 9, 2, Walter de Gruyter, 1978
  • J. Wacher, The Roman world. Vol. 2, Routledge, 2002
  • 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
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