Gaius Julius Bassianus or Bassus, also known as Julius Bassianus (?-towards 217) was a Syrian who lived in the second and third century. Bassianus was a high priest for the Temple of the Sun, which was adored in a shape of a black stone. The Syrian Sun God in Aramaic is El-Gebal. Bassianus was a member of the Royal Family of Emesa (modern Homs, Syria). The Royal Family was apart of the local Syrian aristocracy and was a client kingdom of the Roman Empire. The beginning of his priesthood is unknown but by 187, he was a high priest at Emesa. Events Macrinus becomes Roman Emperor on the death of Caracalla. ... The Royal Family of Emesa was a native Syrian dynasty of Priest-Kings in Emesa (modern Homs, Syria). ... Homs (Arabic, حمص Ḥimṣ) is a city in Syria, the capital of the Homs Governorate. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Events Rebellion of Zhang Chun and Zhang Ju. ...

Future emperor Lucius Septimius Severus had visited Emesa, based on a promising horoscope that he would find his future wife in Syria. Bassianus introduced Severus to his two daughters. Bassianus' wife is unknown. His elder daughter Julia Maesa was married to a Syrian noble Julius Avitus and they had two daughters Julia Soaemias and Julia Avita Mamaea. His younger daughter Julia Domna was not married. Lucius Septimius Severus (b. ... Julia Maesa (about 170- about 226) was daughter of Julius Bassianus, priest of the sun god Heliogabalus, the patron god of Emesa in the Roman province of Syria. ... Julia Soaemias Bassiana (180-March 11, 222) was the daughter of Julia Maesa, a powerful Roman woman of Syrian origin, and Julius Avitus. ... Julia Avita Mamaea (180- 235) was the daughter of Julia Maesa, a powerful Roman woman of Syrian origin, and Julius Avitus. ... Julia Domna (170-217) was member of the Severan dynasty of the Roman Empire. ...

Severus and Domna, married not so long after. Domna bore Severus two sons, Lucius Septimius Bassianus (Caracalla, 4 April 186-8 April 217) and Publius Septimius Geta (27 May 189-19 December 211). Caracalla and Geta would became future Roman Emperors and heirs to their father. Caracalla (April 4, 186 – April 8, 217) was Roman Emperor from 211 – 217. ... Events Births April 4 - Caracalla, Roman emperor (+ 217) Deaths Categories: 186 ... Events Macrinus becomes Roman Emperor on the death of Caracalla. ... Publius Septimius Geta Publius Septimius Geta (March 7, 189–December 211), was a Roman Emperor co-ruling with his father Septimius Severus and his older brother Caracalla from 209 to his death. ... Events Pope Victor I succeeds Pope Eleuterus The Prince of Hongnong succeeds Han Lingdi as Chinese emperor of Han Dynasty Dong Zhuo has the Prince of Hongnong poisoned and installs Han Xiandi as emperor. ... This article is about the year 211. ...

Bassianus could be a possible descendant of Princess Drusilla of Mauretania and possible ancestor to Syrian Queen Zenobia of Palmyra. Zenobia coin reporting her title, Augusta. ... A general view of the site Palmyra was in the ancient times an important city of central Syria, located in an oasis 215 km northeast of Damascus and 120 km southwest of the Euphrates. ...

Sources:

• http://www.geocities.com/christopherjbennett/ptolemies/selene_ii.htm#Selene.10
• http://www.livius.org/jo-jz/julia/julia_maesa.html
• http://www.roman-emperors.org/sevjulia.htm
• http://www.livius.org/ei-er/emperors/emperors03.html
• http://www.roman-emperors.org/sepsev.htm