Elagabalus
Emperor of the Roman Empire
Bust of Elagabalus, from the Capitoline Museums
Reign	218–222
Full name	Varius Avitus Bassianus Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, known as Elagabalus
Born	ca. The Roman Emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period (starting at about 27 BC The Roman Empire was the post-Republican phase of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial The Capitoline Museums ( Italian Musei Capitolini) are a group of art and archeological Museums in Piazza del Campidoglio 203
Died	11 March 222
Predecessor	Macrinus
Successor	Alexander Severus
Wives	Julia Cornelia Paula Julia Aquilia Severa Annia Faustina Julia Aquilia Severa Hierocles
Issue	Alexander Severus (adoptive)
Father	Sextus Varius Marcellus
Mother	Julia Soaemias Bassiana

Elagabalus (c. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Events By Place Roman Empire March 11 — Elagabalus is assassinated along with his mother Julia Soemias by legionnaires during Marcus Opellius Macrinus (ca 165 - June 218 was Roman emperor for fourteen months in 217 and 218 Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander, commonly called Alexander Severus, (October 1 208 &ndash March 18, 235) was the last Roman emperor Julia Cornelia Paula or Julia Paula was a distinguished Roman noble woman who lived in the 3rd century. Iulia Aquilia Severa was the second and fourth wife of Emperor Elagabalus. See also Faustina Annia Faustina or Annia Aurelia Faustina was the Empress of Rome and third wife of Emperor Elagabalus briefly in Iulia Aquilia Severa was the second and fourth wife of Emperor Elagabalus. Hierocles (late 2nd century - 222 was a favorite and lover of the Roman emperor Elagabalus. Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander, commonly called Alexander Severus, (October 1 208 &ndash March 18, 235) was the last Roman emperor Sextus Varius Marcellus was a Roman of equestris class but was later elevated to the rank of senator. Julia Soaemias Bassiana ( 180 - March 11 222) was the mother of Roman Emperor Elagabalus and ruled over the Roman Empire 203 – March 11, 222), also known as Heliogabalus or Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, was a Roman Emperor of the Severan dynasty who reigned from 218 to 222. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Events By Place Roman Empire March 11 — Elagabalus is assassinated along with his mother Julia Soemias by legionnaires during The Roman Emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period (starting at about 27 BC The Severan dynasty was a Roman imperial Dynasty, which ruled the Roman Empire between 193 and 235. Born Varius Avitus Bassianus, he was a Syrian by birth, the son of Julia Soaemias and Sextus Varius Marcellus, and in his early youth he served as a priest of the god El-Gabal at his hometown, Emesa. Syria was a Roman province, conquered in 64 BC by Pompey, as a consequence of his military presence after pursing victory in the Third Mithridatic Julia Soaemias Bassiana ( 180 - March 11 222) was the mother of Roman Emperor Elagabalus and ruled over the Roman Empire Sextus Varius Marcellus was a Roman of equestris class but was later elevated to the rank of senator. Elagabalus was a Syro - Roman Sun god. Cult Elagabalus was initially venerated at Emesa in Syria. For military actions near the city see Battle of Homs. Homs ( حمص,, anciently called Emesa (ἡ Ἔμεσα or "La Chamelle"

In 217, the emperor Caracalla was murdered and replaced by his Praetorian prefect, Marcus Opellius Macrinus. Caracalla ( April 4 188 &ndash April 8, 217) born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and later Praetorian prefect (Latin Praefectus praetorio) was the constant title of a high office in the Roman state that changed fundamentally in nature Marcus Opellius Macrinus (ca 165 - June 218 was Roman emperor for fourteen months in 217 and 218 Caracalla's maternal aunt, Julia Maesa, successfully instigated a revolt among the Third Legion to have her eldest grandson, Elagabalus, declared as emperor in his place. Julia Maesa ( May 7, ca 165 AD &ndashca August 3, 224) was a Roman citize Legio III Gallica was a Roman legion levied by Julius Caesar around 49 BC, for his civil war against the conservative republicans Macrinus was defeated on June 8, 218, at the Battle of Antioch, upon which Elagabalus, barely fourteen years old, ascended to the imperial power and began a reign that was marred by controversies. Events 68 - The Roman Senate accepts emperor Galba. 536 - St Silverius becomes Pope (probable Events By Place Roman Empire May 16 — Elagabalus is declared Roman Emperor The Battle of Antioch ( June 8, 218) took place between two Roman armies of the Roman Emperor Macrinus and his contender Elagabalus

During his rule, Elagabalus showed a disregard for Roman religious traditions and sexual taboos. He was married as many as five times and is reported to have prostituted himself in the imperial palace. Elagabalus replaced Jupiter, head of the Roman pantheon, with a new god, Deus Sol Invictus, and forced leading members of Rome's government to participate in religious rites celebrating this deity, which he personally led. In Roman mythology, Jupiter was the king of the gods and the god of Sky and Thunder. Roman mythology, or more appropriately Latin mythology, refers to the mythological beliefs of the Italic people inhabiting the region of Latium and its Sol Invictus ("Unconquered Sun" or more fully Deus Sol Invictus ("Unconquered Sun God" was the late Roman state Sun god.

Amidst growing opposition, Elagabalus, only 18 years old, was assassinated and replaced by his cousin Severus Alexander on March 11, 222, in a plot formed by his grandmother, Julia Maesa, and members of the Praetorian Guard. Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander, commonly called Alexander Severus, (October 1 208 &ndash March 18, 235) was the last Roman emperor Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Events By Place Roman Empire March 11 — Elagabalus is assassinated along with his mother Julia Soemias by legionnaires during The Praetorian Guard ( Latin: PRÆTORIANI was a special force of Guards used by Roman Emperors Before being appropriated Elagabalus developed a reputation among his contemporaries for eccentricity, decadence, and zealotry which was likely exaggerated by his successors and political rivals. ^[1] This propaganda was passed on and, as a result, he was one of the most reviled Roman emperors to early historians.

Family

Further information: Severan dynasty family tree

Elagabalus was born in 203^[2] as Varius Avitus Bassianus to the family of Sextus Varius Marcellus and Julia Soaemias Bassiana. This is a family tree of the Severan dynasty of the Roman Empire. The Severan dynasty was a Roman imperial Dynasty, which ruled the Roman Empire between 193 and 235. Lucius Septimius Severus (or rarely Severus I) ( April 11 145 - February 4 211) was a Roman general and Roman Emperor Publius Septimius Geta ( March 7, 189 &ndash December 26 211) was a Roman Emperor co-ruling with his father Septimius Severus Caracalla ( April 4 188 &ndash April 8, 217) born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and later Lucius Septimius Severus (or rarely Severus I) ( April 11 145 - February 4 211) was a Roman general and Roman Emperor Publius Septimius Geta ( March 7, 189 &ndash December 26 211) was a Roman Emperor co-ruling with his father Septimius Severus Caracalla ( April 4 188 &ndash April 8, 217) born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and later Publius Septimius Geta ( March 7, 189 &ndash December 26 211) was a Roman Emperor co-ruling with his father Septimius Severus Caracalla ( April 4 188 &ndash April 8, 217) born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and later Caracalla ( April 4 188 &ndash April 8, 217) born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and later Marcus Opellius Macrinus (ca 165 - June 218 was Roman emperor for fourteen months in 217 and 218 Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander, commonly called Alexander Severus, (October 1 208 &ndash March 18, 235) was the last Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander, commonly called Alexander Severus, (October 1 208 &ndash March 18, 235) was the last Roman emperor Sextus Varius Marcellus was a Roman of equestris class but was later elevated to the rank of senator. Julia Soaemias Bassiana ( 180 - March 11 222) was the mother of Roman Emperor Elagabalus and ruled over the Roman Empire His father was initially a member of the equestrian class, but was later elevated to the rank of senator. The Roman Senate was a political institution in Ancient Rome. His grandmother Julia Maesa was the widow of the Consul Julius Avitus, the sister of Julia Domna, and the sister-in-law of emperor Septimius Severus. Julia Maesa ( May 7, ca 165 AD &ndashca August 3, 224) was a Roman citize Consul (abbrev cos; Latin plural consules) was the highest elected office of the Roman Republic and an appointive office under the Empire Julius Avitus or his full name Gaius Julius Avitus Alexianus, was a Syrian noble that lived in the 2nd century and 3rd century. Julia Domna (170-217 was a member of the Severan dynasty of the Roman Empire. Lucius Septimius Severus (or rarely Severus I) ( April 11 145 - February 4 211) was a Roman general and Roman Emperor ^[3] Julia Soaemias was a cousin of Roman emperor Caracalla. Caracalla ( April 4 188 &ndash April 8, 217) born Lucius Septimius Bassianus and later Other relatives included his aunt Julia Avita Mamaea and uncle Marcus Julius Gessius Marcianus and their son Alexander Severus. Julia Avita Mamaea (14 or 29 August after 180&ndash235 was the second daughter of Julia Maesa, a powerful Roman woman of Syrian Arab Marcus Julius Gessius Marcianus was a Syrian who lived in the 2nd and 3rd century AD. Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander, commonly called Alexander Severus, (October 1 208 &ndash March 18, 235) was the last Roman emperor Elagabalus's family held hereditary rights to the priesthood of the sun god El-Gabal, of whom Elagabalus was the high priest at Emesa (modern Homs) in Syria. Elagabalus was a Syro - Roman Sun god. Cult Elagabalus was initially venerated at Emesa in Syria. For military actions near the city see Battle of Homs. Homs ( حمص,, anciently called Emesa (ἡ Ἔμεσα or "La Chamelle" Syria was a Roman province, conquered in 64 BC by Pompey, as a consequence of his military presence after pursing victory in the Third Mithridatic ^[2]

The name El-Gabal originally referred to the patron deity of the emperor's birthplace, Emesa. ^[4] El refers to the chief Semitic deity, while Gabal, meaning mountain (compare with the Hebrew gevul and Arabic jebel), is his Emesene manifestation. Eli (Hebrew אל is the Northwest Semitic word and name either translated into English as "god" or "God" or left untranslated as Eli, depending In Linguistics and Ethnology, Semitic (from the Biblical " Shem " Hebrew שם translated as "name" Arabic: ساميّ Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language ^[5] The god was later imported and assimilated with the Roman sun god, who was known as Sol Indiges in republican times, and later Sol Invictus during the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Sol Indiges ("the native sun" or "the invoked sun" - the etymology and meaning of the word "indiges" is disputed represents the earlier more agrarian form The Roman Republic was the phase of the ancient Roman civilization characterized by a Republican form of government a period which began with the overthrow of the Sol Invictus ("Unconquered Sun" or more fully Deus Sol Invictus ("Unconquered Sun God" was the late Roman state Sun god. ^[6] Avitus adopted the name of the god, being styled Elagabalus. ^[7]

Rise to power

Roman denarius depicting Elagabalus. The Roman Currency system included the denarius (plural denarii) after 211 BC a small Silver coin, The reverse reads Fides Exercitus, or The loyalty of the army, depicting the Roman goddess Fides between two Roman army standards. In Roman mythology, Fides ("trust" was the goddess of trust. The Roman army was a set of military forces employed by the Roman Kingdom, Roman Republic and later Roman Empire as part of the Roman military The signa militaria were the Roman military Ensigns or standards The most ancient standard employed by the Romans is said to have been a handful ( maniple Many coins issued during Elagabalus' reign bear the inscriptions Fides Exercitus or Fides Militum, emphasising the loyalty of the army as the basis for imperial power.

When the emperor Macrinus came to power he suppressed the threat against his reign by the family of his assassinated predecessor, Caracalla, by exiling them—Julia Maesa, her two daughters, and her eldest grandson Elagabalus—to their estate at Emesa in Syria. Marcus Opellius Macrinus (ca 165 - June 218 was Roman emperor for fourteen months in 217 and 218 Syria was a Roman province, conquered in 64 BC by Pompey, as a consequence of his military presence after pursing victory in the Third Mithridatic ^[2] Almost upon arrival in Syria she began a plot, with her eunuch advisor and Elagabalus' tutor Gannys, to overthrow Macrinus and elevate the fourteen-year-old Elagabalus as emperor. A eunuch (ˈjuːnək is a Castrated man in particular one castrated early enough to have major hormonal consequences the term usually refers to those castrated in order to ^[2] Elagabalus and his mother readily complied and announced, falsely, that he was the illegitimate son of Caracalla, therefore due the loyalties of Roman soldiers and senators who had sworn allegiance to Caracalla. ^[2] After Julia Maesa displayed her wealth to the Third Legion at Raphana they swore allegiance to Elagabalus. Legio III Gallica was a Roman legion levied by Julius Caesar around 49 BC, for his civil war against the conservative republicans Raphana (also known as Abila) in present-day north of Jordan, was a city of the Decapolis. At sunrise on May 16, 218, Publius Valerius Comazon Eutychianus, commander of the legion, declared him emperor. Events 1204 - Baldwin IX Count of Flanders is crowned as the first Emperor of the Latin Empire. Events By Place Roman Empire May 16 — Elagabalus is declared Roman Emperor Publius Valerius Comazon Eutychianus (??&ndash222 was a Roman general and ally of emperor Elagabalus. ^[8] To strengthen his legitimacy through further propaganda, Elagabalus assumed Caracalla's names, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. ^[9]

In response Macrinus dispatched his Praetorian prefect Ulpius Julianus to the region with a contingent of troops he considered strong enough the crush the rebellion. Praetorian prefect (Latin Praefectus praetorio) was the constant title of a high office in the Roman state that changed fundamentally in nature Rebellion is a refusal of obedienceIt may therefore be seen as encompassing a range of Behaviours from Civil disobedience and mass Nonviolent resistance However this force soon joined the faction of Elagabalus when, during the battle, they turned on their own commanders. The officers were killed and Julianus' head was sent back to the emperor. ^[10] Macrinus now sent letters to the Senate denouncing Elagabalus as the False Antoninus and claiming he was insane. The Roman Senate was a political institution in Ancient Rome. ^[11] Both consuls and other high ranking members of Rome's leadership condemned him, and the Senate subsequently declared war on both Elagabalus and Julia Maesa. Consul (abbrev cos; Latin plural consules) was the highest elected office of the Roman Republic and an appointive office under the Empire ^[12]

Macrinus and his son, weakened by the desertion of the Second Legion due to bribes and promises circulated by Julia Maesa, were defeated on June 8, 218 at the Battle of Antioch by troops commanded by Gannys. Legio II Parthica was a Roman legion levied by Emperor Septimius Severus in 197, for his campaign against the Parthian Empire, hence Events 68 - The Roman Senate accepts emperor Galba. 536 - St Silverius becomes Pope (probable Events By Place Roman Empire May 16 — Elagabalus is declared Roman Emperor The Battle of Antioch ( June 8, 218) took place between two Roman armies of the Roman Emperor Macrinus and his contender Elagabalus ^[10] Macrinus fled toward Italy, disguised as a courier, but was later intercepted near Chalcedon and executed in Cappadocia. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest For the Ecumenical Council of 451 see Council of Chalcedon; For the religious/political organization see Chalcedon Foundation. Cappadocia (or Capadocia, Turkish Kapadokya, from Greek: Καππαδοκία / Kappadokía which in turn is from the Persian: ^[10] His son Diadumenianus, sent for safety to the Parthian court, was captured at Zeugma and also put to death. Marcus Opellius Antoninus Diadumenianus or Diadumenian (died 218 was the son of Roman Emperor Macrinus, who served his father briefly as Caesar Parthia ( Middle Persian: اشکانیان Ashkâniân) was an Iranian civilization situated in the northeastern part of modern Iran This article is about Zeugma in Commagene for the ancient city called Zeugma in Seleucis Syria see Samandağı (city. ^[10]

Elagabalus declared the date of the victory at Antioch to be the beginning of his reign and assumed the imperial titles without prior Senatorial approval,^[13] which violated tradition but was a common practice among third-century emperors nonetheless. Letters of reconciliation were dispatched to Rome extending amnesty to the Senate and recognizing the laws, while also condemning the administration of Macrinus and his son. Rome ( Roma ˈroma Roma is the capital city of Italy and Lazio, and is Italy's largest and most populous city with more than 2 Amnesty (from the Greek amnestia, oblivion is a legislative or executive act by which a state restores those who may have been guilty of an offense against it to ^[14] The Senators responded by acknowledging Elagabalus as emperor and accepting his claim to be the son of Caracalla. ^[15] Caracalla and Julia Domna were both deified by the Senate, both Julia Maesa and Julia Soaemias were elevated to the rank of Augustae,^[16] and the memory of Macrinus and Diadumenianus was condemned and vilified by the Senate. The Imperial cult in Ancient Rome was the worship of a few select emperors as gods once they were deceased the only emperor to Augustus ( Latin: IMPERATOR·CAESAR·DIVI·FILIVS·AVGVSTVS September 23 63 BC – August 19 AD 14) born Gaius Octavius Thurinus, was ^[13] The former commander of the Third Legion, Comazon, was appointed to be commander of the Praetorian Guard. ^[17]

Emperor

First year

A denarius commissioned by Elagabalus, bearing his likeness

Elagabalus and his entourage spent the winter of 218 in Bithynia at Nicomedia,^[15] where the emperor's religious beliefs first manifested themselves as a problem. The Roman Currency system included the denarius (plural denarii) after 211 BC a small Silver coin, Description Several major cities sat on the fertile shores of the Propontis (which is now known as Sea of Marmara) Nicomedia, Chalcedon, Cius Nicomedia ( Greek: Νικομήδεια modern İzmit) was founded by Nicomedes I of Bithynia at the head of the Gulf of Astacus which opens The contemporary historian Cassius Dio suggests that Gannys was in fact killed by the new emperor because he was forcing Elagabalus to live "temperately and prudently. Lucius Cassius Dio Cocceianus ( Greek:) (c 155 or 163/164 to after 229 known in English as Cassius Dio, Dio Cassius, or Dio was "^[18] To help Romans adjust to the idea of having an oriental priest as emperor, Julia Maesa had a painting of Elagabalus in priestly robes sent to Rome and hung over a statue of the goddess Victoria in the Senate House. In Roman mythology, Victoria was the personification/Goddess of victory Curia Julia, (Latin Curia Iulia) the third named curia or senate house in Ancient Rome was built in 44 BC when Julius Caesar replaced ^[15] This placed Senators in the awkward position of having to make offerings to Elagabalus whenever they made offerings to Victoria.

The legions were dismayed at his behaviour and quickly came to regret their decision to have him supported as emperor. ^[19] While Elagabalus was still on his way to Rome, brief revolts broke out by the Fourth Legion, at the instigation of Gellius Maximus, and the Third Legion, which itself had been responsible for the accession of Elagabalus as emperor, under command of senator Verus. Gellius Maximus (died 219 was a Roman usurper against Emperor Elagabalus. Verus (died 219 was a Roman usurper. Verus was a Centurion, who had successfully raised to the rank of Roman Senator. ^[20] The rebellion was quickly struck down, and the Third Legion disbanded. ^[21]

When the entourage reached Rome in the autumn of 219, Comazon and other allies of Julia Maesa and Elagabalus were given powerful and lucrative positions, much to the outrage of many senators who did not consider them to be respectable. ^[22] After his tenure as Praetorian prefect, Comazon would serve as the city prefect of Rome three times, and as consul twice. Praetorian prefect (Latin Praefectus praetorio) was the constant title of a high office in the Roman state that changed fundamentally in nature Consul (abbrev cos; Latin plural consules) was the highest elected Political office of the Roman Republic and the Empire. ^[17] Elagabalus tried to have his presumed lover Hierocles declared Caesar,^[23] while another alleged lover, Zoticus, was appointed to the non-administrative but influential position of Cubicularius. Hierocles (late 2nd century - 222 was a favorite and lover of the Roman emperor Elagabalus. Caesar (plural Caesars Latin: Caesar (plural Caesares is a Title of imperial character Porphyry Porphyry, the most important of Plotinus 's pupils was born in Tyre c ^[24] His offer of amnesty for the Roman leadership was largely honored, though the jurist Ulpian was exiled. JURIST is an online legal news service hosted by the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, written by founder Professor Bernard Hibbitts and a staff of more than Domitius Ulpianus (died 228 anglicized as Ulpian, was a Roman Jurist of Tyrian ancestry ^[25]

The relationships between Julia Maesa, Julia Soaemias, and Elagabalus were strong, at first. His mother and grandmother became the first women to be allowed into the Senate,^[26] and both received Senatorial titles: Soaemias the established title of Clarissima and Maesa the more unorthodox Mater Castrorum et Senatus. ^[16] While Julia Maesa tried to position herself as the power behind the throne and subsequently the most powerful woman in the world, Elagabalus would prove to be highly independent, set in his ways, and impossible to control.

Religious controversy

Roman aureus depicting Elagabalus. The aureus (pl aurei) was a Gold coin of Ancient Rome valued at 25 silver denarii. The reverse reads Sanct Deo Soli Elagabal (To the Holy Sun God Elagabal), and depicts a four-horse, gold chariot carrying the holy stone of the Emesa temple. SpecialContributions/ --> A quadriga ( Latin quadri-, four and jungere, to yoke is a car For military actions near the city see Battle of Homs. Homs ( حمص,, anciently called Emesa (ἡ Ἔμεσα or "La Chamelle"

Since the reign of Septimius Severus, sun worship had increased throughout the Empire. Lucius Septimius Severus (or rarely Severus I) ( April 11 145 - February 4 211) was a Roman general and Roman Emperor ^[27] Elagabalus saw this as an opportunity to install El-Gabal as the chief deity of the Roman Pantheon. The Pantheon ( Latin Pantheon, from Greek Πάνθειον Pantheon, meaning "Temple of all the gods" is a building in Rome The god was renamed Deus Sol Invictus, meaning God the Undefeated Sun, and placed over Jupiter. Sol Invictus ("Unconquered Sun" or more fully Deus Sol Invictus ("Unconquered Sun God" was the late Roman state Sun god. In Roman mythology, Jupiter was the king of the gods and the god of Sky and Thunder. ^[28] As a sign of the union with the Roman religion, Elagabalus gave either Astarte, Minerva, Urania, or some combination of the three, to El-Gabal as a wife. Astarte (from Greek Ἀστάρτη ( Astártē) is the name of a Goddess as known from Northwestern Semitic regions cognate in name origin The MInisterial NEtwoRk for Valorising Activities in digitisation, or MINERVA, is a European Union organization concerned with the digitisation of cultural and In Greek mythology, Urania (Οὐρανία jʊˈreɪnɪə in English which means "heavenly" was the Muse of Astronomy and Astrology ^[29] He provoked further outrage when he himself married the Vestal Virgin Aquilia Severa, claiming the marriage would produce "god-like children". In Ancient Rome, the Vestal Virgins ( sacerdos Vestalis) were the virgin Holy female Priests of Vesta, the Goddess of the Iulia Aquilia Severa was the second and fourth wife of Emperor Elagabalus. ^[30] This was a flagrant breach of Roman law and tradition, which held that any Vestal found to have engaged in sexual intercourse would be buried alive. ^[31]

A lavish temple called the Elagabalium was built on the east face of the Palatine Hill to house El-Gabal, who was represented by a black conical meteorite from Emesa. The Elagabalium was a temple built by the Roman emperor Elagabalus, located on the north-east corner of the Palatine Hill. The Palatine Hill ( Latin: Collis Palatium or Mons Palatinus) is the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome Baetylus or Bethel is a Semitic word denoting a sacred stone which was supposedly endowed with life ^[15] Herodian wrote "this stone is worshipped as though it were sent from heaven; on it there are some small projecting pieces and markings that are pointed out, which the people would like to believe are a rough picture of the sun, because this is how they see them". For the grammarian see Aelius Herodianus. For the dynasty see Herodian Dynasty. ^[2] In order to become the high priest of his new religion, Elagabalus had himself circumcised. ^[28] He forced senators to watch while he danced around the altar of Deus Sol Invictus to the sound of drums and cymbals,^[15] and each summer solstice he held a festival dedicated to the god, which became popular with the masses because of its widely distributed food. Solstices occur twice a year when the tilt of the Earth's axis is most oriented toward or away from the Sun, causing the Sun to reach its northernmost and southernmost extremes ^[29] During this festival, Elagabalus placed the Emesa stone on a chariot adorned with gold and jewels, which he paraded through the city:

A six horse chariot carried the divinity, the horses huge and flawlessly white, with expensive gold fittings and rich ornaments. The chariot is the earliest and simplest type of Carriage, used in both peace and war as the chief vehicle of many ancient peoples No one held the reins, and no one rode in the chariot; the vehicle was escorted as if the god himself were the charioteer. Elagabalus ran backward in front of the chariot, facing the god and holding the horses reins. He made the whole journey in this reverse fashion, looking up into the face of his god. ^[29]

The most sacred relics from the Roman religion were transferred from their respective shrines to the Elagabalium, including the Great Mother, the fire of Vesta, the Shields of the Salii and the Palladium, so that no other God except El-Gabal would be worshipped. Originally a Hittite and Phrygian Goddess, Cybele (Κυβέλη was a deification of the Earth Mother and was worshipped in The Ancile, in Ancient Rome, is the legendary Buckler shield of the god Mars, said to have fallen from Heaven, upon Numa Pompilius The Salii were the "leaping priests" of Mars in Ancient Rome: twelve aristocratic young men dressed in ancient outfits worn by ancient warriors outlandish In Greek and Roman mythology, a palladium or palladion was an image of great antiquity on which the safety of a city was said to depend ^[32]

Sex/gender controversy

Roman denarius depicting Aquilia Severa, the second wife of Elagabalus. Iulia Aquilia Severa was the second and fourth wife of Emperor Elagabalus. The marriage caused a public outrage because Aquilia was a Vestal Virgin, sworn by Roman law to celibacy for 30 years. In Ancient Rome, the Vestal Virgins ( sacerdos Vestalis) were the virgin Holy female Priests of Vesta, the Goddess of the Celibacy refers to the lack of participation in Sexual intercourse.

Elagabalus' sexual orientation and gender identity are the source of much controversy and debate. Sexual orientation is believed to refer to "an enduring pattern of emotional romantic and/or sexual attractions to men women or both sexes Gender identity (or core gender identity) is a person's own sense of Identification as Male or Female. Elagabalus married and divorced five women,^[30] three of whom are known. His first wife was Julia Cornelia Paula;^[29] the second was the Vestal Virgin Julia Aquilia Severa,^[29] but within a year, he abandoned her and married Annia Faustina,^[29] a descendant of Marcus Aurelius and the widow of a man recently executed by Elagabalus. Julia Cornelia Paula or Julia Paula was a distinguished Roman noble woman who lived in the 3rd century. In Ancient Rome, the Vestal Virgins ( sacerdos Vestalis) were the virgin Holy female Priests of Vesta, the Goddess of the Iulia Aquilia Severa was the second and fourth wife of Emperor Elagabalus. See also Faustina Annia Faustina or Annia Aurelia Faustina was the Empress of Rome and third wife of Emperor Elagabalus briefly in Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus (often referred to as "the wise" ( April 26, 121 – March 17, 180) was Roman Emperor He had returned to Severa by the end of the year,^[30] but according to Cassius Dio, his most stable relationship seems to have been with his chariot driver, a blond slave from Caria named Hierocles, whom he referred to as his husband. SpecialContributions/ --> A quadriga ( Latin quadri-, four and jungere, to yoke is a car Municipalities of Caria Cramer's detailed catalog of Carian towns in Classical Greece is based entirely on ancient sources Hierocles (late 2nd century - 222 was a favorite and lover of the Roman emperor Elagabalus. ^[23] The Augustan History claims that he also married a man named Zoticus, an athlete from Smyrna, in a public ceremony at Rome. ^[26] Cassius Dio reported Elagabalus would paint his eyes, epilate his hair and wear wigs before prostituting himself in taverns and brothels,^[33] and even the imperial palace:

Finally, he set aside a room in the palace and there committed his indecencies, always standing nude at the door of the room, as the harlots do, and shaking the curtain which hung from gold rings, while in a soft and melting voice he solicited the passers-by. Prostitution is the act of performing Sexual activity in exchange for Money. ^[34]

Herodian commented that Elagabalus pampered his natural good looks by wearing too much make-up. ^[29] He was described as having been "delighted to be called the mistress, the wife, the Queen of Hierocles" and was said to have offered vast sums of money to the physician who could equip him with female genitalia. ^[24] Subsequently, Elagabalus has often been characterized by modern writers as transgender, most likely transsexual. Transgender (trænzˈdʒɛndɚ from ( Latin) derivatives Transsexualism is a condition in which a person identifies with a physical Sex different from the one with which they were born ^[35][36]

Fall from power

By 221 Elagabalus' eccentricities, particularly his relationship with Hierocles,^[23] increasingly infuriated the soldiers of the Praetorian Guard. The Praetorian Guard ( Latin: PRÆTORIANI was a special force of Guards used by Roman Emperors Before being appropriated ^[22] When Julia Maesa perceived that popular support for the emperor was quickly wavering, she decided that he and his mother, who had encouraged his religious practices, had to be replaced. ^[22] As alternatives, she turned to her other daughter Julia Avita Mamaea and her son, the thirteen-year-old Severus Alexander. Julia Avita Mamaea (14 or 29 August after 180&ndash235 was the second daughter of Julia Maesa, a powerful Roman woman of Syrian Arab Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander, commonly called Alexander Severus, (October 1 208 &ndash March 18, 235) was the last Roman emperor Convincing Elagabalus to appoint his cousin as his heir, Alexander was bestowed with the title of Caesar and shared the consulship with the emperor that year. ^[22] However, Elagabalus reconsidered this arrangement when he began to suspect that the Praetorian Guard favored his cousin over himself. ^[37] Following the failure of various attempts at Alexander's life, Elagabalus stripped his cousin of his titles, revoked his consulship, and circulated the news that Alexander was near death to see how the Praetorians would react. ^[37] A riot ensued, and the guard demanded to see Elagabalus and Alexander in the Praetorian camp. Castra Praetoria are the ancient barracks ( Castra) of the Praetorian Guard of Imperial Rome. ^[37] The emperor complied and on March 11, 222 he presented his cousin, along with his mother Julia Soaemias. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Events By Place Roman Empire March 11 — Elagabalus is assassinated along with his mother Julia Soemias by legionnaires during Upon arrival the soldiers started cheering Alexander, while ignoring Elagabalus, who ordered the summary arrest and execution of anyone who had taken part in this revolt. ^[37] In response, the Praetorians attacked Elagabalus and his mother:

So he made an attempt to flee, and would have got away somewhere by being placed in a chest, had he not been discovered and slain, at the age of 18. His mother, who embraced him and clung tightly to him, perished with him; their heads were cut off and their bodies, after being stripped naked, were first dragged all over the city, and then the mother's body was cast aside somewhere or other, while his was thrown into the river. ^[38]

Following his demise, many associates of Elagabalus were killed or deposed, including Hierocles and Comazon. ^[38] His religious edicts were reversed and El-Gabal was returned to Emesa. For military actions near the city see Battle of Homs. Homs ( حمص,, anciently called Emesa (ἡ Ἔμεσα or "La Chamelle" ^[39] Women were barred from ever attending meetings of the Senate,^[26][40] and damnatio memoriae—erasing a person from all public records—was decreed upon him. Damnatio memoriae is the Latin phrase literally meaning "damnation of memory" in the sense of removed from the remembrance. ^[41]

Legacy

Historiography

The Roses of Heliogabalus, Lawrence Alma-Tadema, 1888

A propaganda campaign against Elagabalus, traditionally attributed to Julia Avitus Mamaea, was instituted after his death. Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, OM, RA ( January 8, 1836, Dronrijp, the Netherlands. Propaganda is a concerted set of messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviors of large numbers of people ^[42] Many denigrating and false stories were circulated about him, and his eccentricities may have been exaggerated. ^[42] The most famous among these, immortalized in the 19th-century painting The Roses of Heliogabalus, is that he smothered guests at a dinner to death with a mass of "violets and other flowers" dropped from above. The Roses of Heliogabalus is a famous Painting of 1888 by the Anglo-Dutch academician Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, at present in private hands ^[43]

Augustan History

The source of many of these stories of Elagabalus's debauchery is the Augustan History (Historia Augusta), which scholarly consensus now feels to be unreliable in its details. The Augustan History ( Lat Historia Augusta) is a late Roman collection of biographies in Latin of the Roman Emperors their junior ^[44] The Historia Augusta was most likely written near the end of the 4th century during the reign of emperor Theodosius,^[45] drawing as much upon the invention of its author as actual historical sources. The life of Elagabalus as described in the Augustan History is believed to be largely a work of historical fiction. ^[46] Only the sections 13 to 17, relating to the fall of Elagabalus, are considered to hold any historical value. ^[47]

Cassius Dio

Sources more credible than the Augustan History include the contemporary historians Cassius Dio and Herodian. Lucius Cassius Dio Cocceianus ( Greek:) (c 155 or 163/164 to after 229 known in English as Cassius Dio, Dio Cassius, or Dio was Cassius Dio lived from the second half of the 2nd century until sometime after 229. Born into a patrician family, he spent the greater part of his life in public service. The term " patrician " originally referred to a group of elite families in Ancient Rome, including both their natural and He was a senator under emperor Commodus and governor of Smyrna after the death of Septimius Severus. Lucius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus ( August 31, 161 – December 31, 192) was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 180 to 192 (also with This article is on the Ancient Greek city of Smyrna principally in connection with the ruins remaining to this day Lucius Septimius Severus (or rarely Severus I) ( April 11 145 - February 4 211) was a Roman general and Roman Emperor Afterwards he served as suffect consul around 205, and as proconsul in Africa and Pannonia. See also History of North Africa Carthage and the Berbers See also Carthage Phoenician traders arrived on the North African coast Pannonia is an ancient province of the Roman Empire bounded north and east by the Danube, coterminous westward with Noricum and upper Italy, Alexander Severus held him in the highest esteem and made him his consul again. His Roman History spans nearly a millennium, from the arrival of Aeneas in Italy until the year 229. A millennium (pl millennia) is a period of Time equal to one thousand Years (from Latin la mille, thousand and la annum This article is about the Roman hero For other uses see Aeneas (disambiguation. As a contemporary of Elagabalus, Cassius Dio's account of his reign is generally considered more reliable than the Augustan History, although it should be noted that Dio spent the larger part of this period outside of Rome and had to rely on second-hand accounts when composing his Roman History. Furthermore, the political climate in the aftermath of Elagabalus' reign, as well as his own position within the government of Alexander likely imposed restrictions on the extent to which his writing on this period is truthful. ^[48]

Herodian

Another contemporary of Elagabalus was Herodian, who was a minor Roman civil servant who lived from c. For the grammarian see Aelius Herodianus. For the dynasty see Herodian Dynasty. 170 until 240. His work, History of the Roman Empire since Marcus Aurelius, commonly abbreviated as Roman History, is an eye-witness account of the reign of Commodus until the beginning of the reign of Gordian III. Lucius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus ( August 31, 161 – December 31, 192) was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 180 to 192 (also with Marcus Antonius Gordianus ( January 20 225 – February 11, 244) known in English as Gordian III, was Roman Emperor His work largely overlaps with Dio's own Roman History, but both texts seem to be independently consistent with each other. ^[49] Although Herodian is not deemed as reliable as Cassius Dio, his lack of literary and scholarly pretensions make him less biased than senatorial historians. Herodian is considered the most important source on the religious reforms which took place during the reign of Elagabalus, which have been confirmed by modern numismatical^[50][51] and archaeological evidence. Numismatics (numisma nomisma "coin" from the νομίζειν nomízein, "to use according to law" is the study or collection of Currency Archaeology, archeology, or archæology (from Greek grc ἀρχαιολογία archaiologia – grc ἀρχαῖος archaīos ^[52]

Elagabalus in later art

Due to these stories, Elagabalus became something of a hero to the Decadent movement in the late 19th century. In 19th century European and especially French literature, Decadence was the name given first by hostile critics and then triumphantly adopted by some writers ^[36] He appears in many paintings and poems as the epitome of an amoral aesthete. His life and character has inspired or at least informed many famous artworks, including the following:

Literature

• "William Wilson" (1839) by Edgar Allan Poe opens with an allusion to the wickedness of Elagabalus. " William Wilson " is a Short story by Edgar Allan Poe with a setting inspired by Poe's formative years outside of London. Edgar Allan Poe (January 19 1809 – October 7 1849 was an American poet, short-story Writer, editor and Literary critic,
• L'Agonie (Agony) (1889), a novel by the French writer Jean Lombard
• The Sun God (1904), a novel by the English writer Arthur Westcott
• De Berg van Licht (The Mountain of Light) (1905), a novel by the Dutch writer Louis Couperus
• Algabal (1892–1919), a collection of poems by the German poet Stefan George
• The Amazing Emperor Heliogabalus (1911), a biography by the Oxford don John Stuart Hay
• St. Jean Lombard (1854-1891 was a French novelist of the late nineteenth century Louis Marie-Anne Couperus ( June 10 1863 &ndash July 16 1923) was a Dutch novelist and poet of the late 19th and early 20th century The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. Stefan Anton George ( July 12, 1868 &ndash December 4, 1933) was a German Poet, editor and Translator A biography (from the Greek words bíos (βίος meaning "life" and gráphein (γράφειν meaning "to write" is an account Dorothy, a poem by Algernon Charles Swinburne, which refers to the saint's martyrdom under the emperor Gabalus
• Héliogabale ou l'Anarchiste couronné (Heliogabalus, or the Crowned Anarchist) (1934), an essay by the French surrealist Antonin Artaud
• Family Favourites (1960), a novel by the Anglo-Argentine writer Alfred Duggan
• Child of the Sun (1966), a novel by Lance Horner and Kyle Onstott, who were more famous for writing the novel behind the movie Mandingo. Algernon Charles Swinburne (5 April 1837 – 10 April 1909 was a Victorian era English poet Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early-1920s and is best known for the visual artworks and writings of the group members Antoine Marie Joseph Artaud, better known as Antonin Artaud ( September 4, 1896, in Marseille – March 4, 1948 in Alfred Duggan (1903 - 1964 was an English Historian, Archeologist and best-selling Historical novelist during the 1950s
• Super-Eliogabalo (1969), a novel by the Italian writer Alberto Arbasino
• Breakfast of Champions (1973), a novel by Kurt Vonnegut that mistakenly refers to Phalaris, a Sicilian tyrant, as Heliogabalus
• Boy Caesar (2004), a novel by the English writer Jeremy Reed
• Being an Account of the Life and Death of the Emperor Heliogabolus, a 24-hour comic by Neil Gaiman

Paintings

• The Roses of Heliogabalus (1888), by the Anglo-Dutch academician Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
• Heliogabalus, High Priest of the Sun (1866), by the English decadent Simeon Solomon, once a close friend of Algernon Charles Swinburne

Comics

• Vassalord (2006-), Nanae Chrono's Manga, where vampires are referred as "Heliogabalus of the hidden palace"

Music

• Eliogabalo, an opera by Venetian Baroque composer Francesco Cavalli (1667)
• Heliogabale, an opera by French composer Déodat de Séverac which premiered in 1910
• Heliogabalus Imperator (Emperor Heliogabalus), an orchestral work by the German composer Hans Werner Henze (1972)
• Eliogabalus, an album by rock band Devil Doll (1990)
• Six Litanies for Heliogabalus, by the composer and saxophonist John Zorn (2007)
• Elagabalus (as Heliogabalus) is mentioned in the "Major-General's Song" from the Gilbert and Sullivan opera The Pirates of Penzance: "I quote in elegiacs all the crimes of Heliogabalus. Breakfast of Champions or Goodbye Blue Monday is a 1973 novel by the American author Kurt Vonnegut. Kurt Vonnegut Jr (November 11 1922 – April 11 2007 (ˈvɒnəgət was a prolific and genre-bending American Novelist known for works blending Satire, Black Phalaris was the Tyrant of Acragas ( Agrigentum) in Sicily, from approximately 570 to 554 BC Jersey-born Jeremy Reed is one of the premier British poets and prose writers of his generation Neil Richard Gaiman (ˈgeɪmən (born November 10, 1960) is an English author of Science fiction and Fantasy short stories and The Roses of Heliogabalus is a famous Painting of 1888 by the Anglo-Dutch academician Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, at present in private hands Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, OM, RA ( January 8, 1836, Dronrijp, the Netherlands. Simeon Solomon (b October 9, 1840 in London, England &ndash d Algernon Charles Swinburne (5 April 1837 – 10 April 1909 was a Victorian era English poet Eliogabalo ( Heliogabalus) is an Opera by the Italian composer Francesco Cavalli based on the life of the Roman emperor Francesco Cavalli ( February 14 1602 &ndash January 14 1676) was an Italian composer of the early Baroque Déodat de Séverac ( Saint-Félix-de-Caraman, Haute-Garonne, July 20, 1872 &ndash Céret, Pyrénées-Orientales, Hans Werner Henze (born July 1 1926 Gütersloh, Germany is a German composer well known for his left-wing political convictions Eliogabalus is the second official album by the Italian / Slovenian rock band Devil Doll, released on January 5, Six Litanies for Heliogabalus is an album by John Zorn. It is the third album to feature the "Moonchild Trio" of Mike Patton, Joey Baron John Zorn (born September 2 1953 in Queens, New York City) is an American Avant-garde Composer, arranger, Record The Major-General's Song is a Patter song from Gilbert and Sullivan 's 1879 Comic opera The Pirates of Penzance. Gilbert and Sullivan refers to the Victorian era partnership of Librettist W Savoy Operas denote a style of Comic opera that developed in Victorian England in the late 19th century with W The Pirates of Penzance, or The Slave of Duty is a Comic opera in two acts with music by Arthur Sullivan and Libretto by W Elegiac refers either to those compositions that are like elegies or to a specific poetic meter used in Classical elegies "
• Heliogabale, a french rock band, a French rock band which has released five albums since 1995, among them "the full mind is alone the clear" recorded by Steve Albini in 1997
• Heliogabalus, a song by Momus from his 2001 album Folktronic, in which the narrator defends Heliogabalus, saying he "wasn't to blame" for the "deaths he caused"

Dance

• Héliogabale, a contemporary dance choreographed by Maurice Béjart

Film

• Héliogabale, a 1909 silent film by the French director André Calmettes
• Héliogabale, ou L'orgie romaine, a 1911 silent short by the French director Louis Feuillade

Plays

• Mencken, H. Steven Frank Albini (born July 22, 1962) is an American Audio engineer, singer songwriter Guitarist, and music journalist Nick Currie (born February 11, 1960 in Paisley, Scotland) more popularly known under the Artist name Momus (after the Maurice Béjart ( January 1, 1927 – November 22, 2007) was a French and Swiss Choreographer who ran the Short subject is a format description originally coined in the North American Film industry in the early period of cinema. Louis Feuillade ( February 19 1873 &ndash February 25 1925) was a prolific and prominent French Film director from the L. and Nathan, George Jean. Heliogabalus A Buffoonery in Three Acts. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1920.
• Elagabalus, Emperor of Rome (2008), a play by the American dramatist Shawn Ferreyra, which premiered in San Francisco, California, January 18 through February 2, 2008
• Escobar, C. The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city Events 350 - Generallus Magnentius deposes Roman Emperor Constans and proclaims himself Emperor Events 962 - Translatio imperii: Pope John XII crowns Otto I Holy Roman Emperor, the first Holy Roman Emperor 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common H. de. "Heliogabalo: O SOL E A PÁTRIA". Ed. Devir. Rio de Janeiro. 1989.

Vocabulary

• The Spanish word heliogábalo^[53] means "person overwhelmed by gluttony".

Notes

References

Primary sources

• Cassius Dio, Roman History Books 79, and 80, English translation.
• Herodian, Roman History, Book 5, English translation.
• Historia Augusta, The Life of Elagabalus Parts 1 and 2, Latin text with English translation.

Secondary material

• Benjamin, Harry (1966). The Transsexual Phenomenon. New York: The Julian Press, inc. Retrieved on 2005-04-27. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1124 - David I becomes King of Scotland. 1296 - Battle of Dunbar: The Scots are defeated  
• Birley, Anthony (1976). Lives of the Later Caesars. Harmondsworth: Penguin. ISBN ISBN 0-14-044308-8.  
• Fielden, Jerry (2000). Antoninus Elagabalus and his relationship with the Senate. Retrieved on 2005-03-26. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1026 - Pope John XIX crowns Conrad II as Holy Roman Emperor.
• Grant, Michael (1997). The Roman Emperors. Barnes & Noble, 126–130. ISBN 0-7607-0091-5.  
• Gualerzi, Saverio (2005). Ne Uomo, Ne Donna, Ne Dio, Ne Dea: Ruolo Sessuale E Ruolo Religioso Dell'imperatore Elagabalo. Bologna: Patron. ISBN ISBN 88-555-2842-4.  
• Halsberghe, Gaston H. (1972). The Cult of Sol Invictus. Leiden: Brill, p36.  

Biographical sketches

• Meckler, Michael J. (August 26, 1997). Events 1071 - Battle of Manzikert: The Seljuk Turks defeat the Byzantine Army at Manzikert. Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar "Elagabalus". De Imperatoribus Romanis. Retrieved on 2008-05-03. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João  
• Hoeber, Karl (1910). "Heliogabalus". Catholic Encyclopedia VII. The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to today as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language Encyclopedia published by The Encyclopedia Retrieved on 2008-05-03. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João  

Images

• Wildwinds coin archive: Elagabalus. Large archive of ancient Roman and provincial coins bearing the image of Elagabalus. Retrieved on 2008-05-03. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João
• Coinarchives coin archive: Elagabalus. Large archive of ancient Roman and provincial coins issued under Elagabalus, including coins of family members. Retrieved on 2008-05-03. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João