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— CH. 1 · ORIGINS AND PRIESTHOOD —

Elagabalus

~5 min read · Ch. 1 of 7
7 sections

  • Marcus Aurelius Antoninus arrived in the world between 203 and 204 as Sextus Varius Avitus Bassianus. His parents were Sextus Varius Marcellus and Julia Soaemias Bassiana, who likely married around the year 200. The family belonged to the Emesene dynasty of Syria, a prominent Arab lineage based in Emesa, now known as Homs. Elagabalus served as the high priest of the sun god Elagabal from a young age. This deity was represented by a black conical meteorite stone called a baetyl. The name Elagabal comes from Arabic words meaning God of the Mountain. The cult spread across the Roman Empire during the second century. An inscription found in Woerden in the Netherlands proves the reach of this worship. Julia Maesa, his grandmother, was the widow of Julius Avitus Alexianus. She was also the sister of Julia Domna and the sister-in-law of Emperor Septimius Severus. Rumors circulated that Elagabalus was actually the illegitimate son of Caracalla. These rumors later received public support from his mother.

  • Emperor Macrinus exiled Julia Maesa and her grandson to their estate at Emesa after killing Caracalla. Almost immediately upon arrival in Syria, Maesa began plotting with Gannys to overthrow Macrinus. They declared the fourteen-year-old Elagabalus emperor on the 16th of May 218. Publius Valerius Comazon, commander of the Third Legion Gallica, made the proclamation at sunrise. The soldiers supported the claim because they had enjoyed greater privileges under Caracalla. Elagabalus adopted the name Marcus Aurelius Antoninus to strengthen his legitimacy. Macrinus responded by attacking the legion but his prefect Ulpius Julianus died during the fighting. His soldiers then joined Elagabalus forces. Macrinus fled to Antioch after receiving news of Julianus death. The Second Legion shifted its loyalty to Elagabalus following a banquet at Apamea. On the 8th of June 218, Elagabalus defeated Macrinus at the Battle of Antioch. Macrinus tried to escape to Italy but was intercepted near Chalcedon and executed. Diadumenian was captured at Zeugma and also put to death. Elagabalus wrote to the Senate assuming imperial titles without waiting for approval. He became consul for the year 218 in mid-June.

  • At the end of 220, Elagabalus installed Elagabal as the chief deity of the Roman pantheon. He possibly chose the date of the winter solstice for this change. A lavish temple called the Elagabalium rose on the east face of the Palatine Hill. This structure housed the black conical meteorite from Emesa known as a baetyl. Herodian described how people pointed out markings on the stone that looked like a rough picture of the sun. Elagabalus forced senators to watch him dance circling the altar while drums and cymbals played. Each summer solstice he held a festival dedicated to the god with free food distributed to the masses. The most sacred relics from Roman religion moved to the new temple. These included the fire of Vesta and the Shields of the Salii. He married the Vestal Virgin Aquilia Severa claiming it would produce godlike children. This act breached Roman law which required burial alive for any Vestal found engaging in sex. Dio writes that Elagabalus had himself circumcised and swore to abstain from swine. The emperor placed the black stone on a chariot adorned with gold and jewels during parades.

  • Cassius Dio states that Elagabalus was married to women five times including twice to the same woman. His first wife Julia Cornelia Paula wed before the 29th of August 219. He divorced her between then and the 28th of August 220. He took the Vestal Virgin Julia Aquilia Severa as his second wife before divorcing her again. Herodian says he took Annia Aurelia Faustina as a third wife. She was a descendant of Marcus Aurelius and widow of Pomponius Bassus. In the last year of his reign, Elagabalus remarried Aquilia Severa. Dio also claims another husband named Hierocles existed. Hierocles was an ex-slave and chariot driver from Caria. The Historia Augusta adds that Zoticus, an athlete from Smyrna, was also a husband. Dio only calls Zoticus his cubicularius or chamberlain. Some writers suggest Elagabalus may have identified as female or been transgender. He reportedly wore makeup and wigs while preferring to be called a lady. Cassius Dio records that the emperor offered vast sums to any physician who could provide him with a vagina by incision. Mary Beard and other classicists treat these accounts with caution due to unreliable sources.

  • Julia Maesa decided to replace Elagabalus when she perceived popular support waning. She arranged for her grandson Severus Alexander to become heir in June 221. Alexander received the title of Caesar on the 26th of June possibly. Elagabalus took up his fourth consulship for the year 222. He later ordered attempts on Alexander life after failing Senate approval. A riot ensued when the Guard demanded to see both boys at the Praetorian camp. On the 13th of March 222, soldiers started cheering Alexander while ignoring Elagabalus. Members of the Praetorian Guard attacked the emperor and his mother Julia Soaemias. Following the assassination, many associates were killed or deposed. His lover Hierocles was executed and religious edicts reversed. The stone of Elagabal returned to Emena. Women again barred from attending Senate meetings. The practice of damnatio memoriae erased his public record systematically. Several images including an over-life-size statue now in Naples were re-carved with Alexander face.

  • Edward Gibbon further cemented scandalous reputation of Elagabalus in The History of Decline and Fall of Roman Empire. Gibbon accepted allegations of ancient historians and might have added details like claiming Gannys was eunuch. James George Frazer took seriously monotheistic aspirations while calling him most abandoned reprobate. J. Stuart Hay wrote first book-length biography titled The Amazing Emperor Heliogabalus in 1911. Recent historians paint more favorable picture of emperor rule. Martijn Icks doubts reliability of ancient sources arguing unorthodox religious policies alienated power elite. Leonardo de Arrizabalaga y Prado suggests neither religion nor sexuality played role in fall. He speculates loyalty of Praetorian Guards was up for sale and Julia Maesa had resources to outmaneuver grandson. Warwick Ball argues descriptions of ritual processions exaggerated and should dismissed as propaganda. Ball asserts eventual victory sense deity welcomed by Rome in Sol Invictus form fifty years later. Stories about Elagabalus survived despite damnatio memoriae attempts. His name became word for glutton in Spanish language. He appears frequently in literature as decadent figure and epitome of young amoral aesthete.

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Common questions

Who were the parents of Roman emperor Elagabalus?

Elagabalus was born to Sextus Varius Marcellus and Julia Soaemias Bassiana. His family belonged to the Emesene dynasty of Syria, a prominent Arab lineage based in Emesa.

When did Elagabalus become emperor of Rome?

Elagabalus declared himself emperor on the 16th of May 218 at age fourteen. He defeated Macrinus at the Battle of Antioch on the 8th of June 218 to secure his rule.

What religious reforms did Elagabalus implement during his reign?

Elagabalus installed the sun god Elagabal as the chief deity of the Roman pantheon at the end of 220. He built the Elagabalium temple on the Palatine Hill to house the black conical meteorite known as a baetyl.

How many times was Elagabalus married according to historical records?

Cassius Dio states that Elagabalus was married to women five times including twice to the same woman. He also had male partners named Hierocles and Zoticus who were described as husbands or chamberlains.

Why was Elagabalus assassinated by the Praetorian Guard?

Julia Maesa arranged for her grandson Severus Alexander to replace Elagabalus when popular support waned in 221. Soldiers attacked the emperor and his mother Julia Soaemias on the 13th of March 222 after demanding to see both boys.

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All sources

48 references cited across the entry

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