My mother knew of no higher destiny than that of being the Domna,--[Domna, lady or mistress, in corrupt Latin.

Hence her name of Julia Domna] the lady of the soldiers, the mother of the camp, and the lady philosopher among the sages.

What she gave me in the way of love was but copper alms.

She threw golden solidi of love into Geta's lap in lavish abundance.

And her sister and her nieces, who often lived with us, treated me exactly as she did.