Emesa (Homs, Syria) was on the Orontes River at a crossroads of three important highways, one of which was Palmyra's path to the sea. The Romans gained it in 64 B.C. but it was quasi-independent until about 70 A.D when it became part of Roman Syria. It was the hometown of Julia Domna, Julia Maesa, Julia Mamaea, Julia Soaemias, Elagabalus and Severus Alexander. It struck coins for the usurper Uranius Antoninus, and possibly for Macrianus and for Quietus, who was killed there. Famous for the worship of the sun-god Elagabal, it later became a Christian center under the Byzantines.