Having failed to keep many of his promises to the army, Roman Emperor Macrinus (217 – 218 CE) was becoming increasingly unpopular, and it would only take a little lie from a young boy’s mother to change everything. Elagabalus was born no later than 204 CE, though perhaps as early as 203, to Sextus Varius Marcellus and Julia Soaemias Bassiana, who had probably married around the year 200 (and no later than 204). To cement his intentions Elagabalus had a large, black conical-shaped stone (possibly a meteorite) brought from Syria - a cult symbol of his religion - and installed on the Palatine Hill. In the summer of 221CE Elagabalus was convinced by his family to name an heir. Elagabalus’ father was eventually elevated to rank of senator, and his grandmother, Julia Maesa, was the sister-in-law of emperor Septimius S… an attractive, hormonally-charged teen with absolute power. Elagabalus. Of course, the day-to-day activities of government were ignored by the young ruler and left to others, namely, his mother and grandmother. Macrinus’s death and the claim that Elagabalus was actually Caracalla’s son would be enough for the Roman Senate to accept him as the new emperor - the youngest to ever sit on the throne; official recognition would not come until his arrival in Rome. Marcellus was an equestrian, later elevated to a senatorial position. Related Content Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction? ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. According to most sources, Macrinus had been instrumental in Caracallas assassination. "Elagabalus." Written by Donald L. Wasson, published on 21 October 2013 under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Nobody knows for certain what day, or what month he was born in, but we do know his father was originally a member of the Equites class in Rome, a special legion of cavalry recruited specifically from patricians, much like the status of a medieval knight. Cambridge University Press, 2014. Because he feared her closeness to many in the army remaining loyal to the slain emperor, Macrinus commanded that Julia Domna, Caracalla’s mother, leave Antioch. On June 8 (see DIR Macrinus) Elagabalus' faction won in battle. However, in order to prevent further controversy, the marriage was quickly dissolved. On March 13, while at the Praetorian Guard camp, Elagabalus and his mother were executed, beheaded, dragged through the streets of Rome and dumped into the Tiber. As a high priest Elagabalus made plans to replace the old, traditional religion of Rome with that of his own - the worship of Elagabal. Elagabalus married five women while he was emperor. Elagabalus was born around the year 203 AD. He supposedly even married a male slave named Hierocles. His father Sextus Varius Marcellus was a politician who belonged to an aristocratic family in Syria, while his mother Julia Soaemias Bassiana was a cousin of the Roman Emperor Caracalla. Ancient Sources on Elagabalus: Cassius Dio, Herodian, and Historia Augusta. The Ancient History Encyclopedia logo is a registered EU trademark. He would have three wives: Julia Paula, Annia Faustina, and Aquilia Severa - the latter “marriage” caused even more debate because she was a Vestal Virgin which was a long-standing taboo. To help improve his relationship with the people of Rome and take attention away from the new religion, Elagabalus was encouraged to marry into a Roman aristocratic family. Integer posuere erat a ante venenatis dapibus posuere velit aliquet. He was: J.B. Seeing his cousin as a serious rival, Elagabalus began planning Alexanus’ execution and the family became divided - Julia Soaemis stood behind her son, Elagabalus, while Julia Maesa and Julia Mamaea supported Alexanus. https://www.ancient.eu/Elagabalus/. Statue of Julia Soaemias Bassiana (180 – March 11, 222 CE), a Syrian... A marble bust of Roman emperor Elagabalus, r. 218-222 CE. Elagabalus died at eighteen, after ruling for only four years. ...they fell upon Elagabalus himself and slew him in a latrine in which he had taken refuge. Today we look at the footnote, the home of many queer people throughout history, and we look closer. He appears to have worked as a prostitute and may have sought the original transgendering operation. Because he feared her closeness to many in the army remaining loyal to the slain emperor, Macrinus commanded that Julia Domna, Caracallas mother, leave Antioch. Less competent as military leader and emperor than his predecessor, Macrinius suffered losses in the East and wound up making settlements with the Parthians, Armenians, and the Dacians. Ancient History Encyclopedia. After her death - she had starved herself rather than leave the city - her sister Julia Maesa and two nieces, Julia Soaemis and Julia Mamaea, swore revenge. DIR says his body was dumped in the Tiber and his memory was erased (Damnatio memoriae). Pellentesque ornare sem lacinia quam venenatis vestibulum.
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