Marcus Julius Gessius Bassianus

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 elder 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
  1. Prado, The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction?, p. xxiii
  2. Prado, The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction?, p. 216
  3. Birley, Septimius Severus: The African Emperor, pp. 217, 222
  4. Birley, Septimius Severus: The African Emperor, p. 222
  5. Augustan History, "The Two Maximini", 29
  6. Birley, Septimius Severus: The African Emperor
  7. Prado, The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction?, p. 215

Sources
  • 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
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