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]
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.