The Times and Crimes of Elegabalus

Lately, I’ve been reading about the third-century Roman empire and one of the most enigmatic figures is the short-lived Syrian-born teenage emperor Elegabulus.

My entree into Elegabulus and his world is Martijn Icks, The Crimes of Elegabalus: The Life and Legacy of Rome's Decadent Boy Emperor (HUP, 2012). But you can also listen to an excellent podcast by Harry Sidebottom about his new book:

Elegabulus was born in 204 AD in Emesa, Syria, and became emperor at the age of 14 after the assassination of his cousin, Emperor Caracalla (d. 217 AD), and after the deposing of the usurper the Emperor Macrinus (d. 218 AD).

Elegabulus was known for his eccentric behavior, religious innovations, disregard for Roman traditions and social mores. He did things like appoint a slave as his chief advisor and a male dancer as his praetorian prefect.

He was obsessed with the worship of the Syrian sun god, Elagabalus, and he introduced this cult to Rome with zealous enthusiasm. He even tried to replace Jupiter, the king of the Roman gods, with Elagabalus in the Roman pantheon.

Elegabulus was also known for his decadence and despotism. He humiliated senators, wasted huge amounts of money on personal indulgences, hosted orgies, and allegedly even suffocated guests with rose petals. He married at least five times, once to a male athlete named Zoticus where Elegabalus took the role of the bride, and twice to a Vestal Virgin.

He was also rumoured to have offered large sums of money to any physician who could turn him into a girl, which means that Elagabalus has become a source for all sorts of theses and speculations about him and gender dysphoria, ancient transvestitism, sexual fluidity, and the like. In art and literature, Elegabalus is portrayed in various ways from “evil tyrant to anarchist rebel, from mystical androgyne to modern gay teenager, from decadent sensualist to pop star” (Icks).

Despite his controversial behavior, Elegabalus did make some significant contributions during his reign. He reduced taxes and increased the pay of soldiers. He also built a temple to Elagabalus in Rome, which became one of the most important religious centers in the city.

However, Elegabalus' reign came to a brutal and bloody end after only four years. His behavior had alienated many members of the Roman elite, including his own family, and they plotted against him. In 222 AD, he was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard, and his body was thrown into the Tiber River. He was replaced with his cousin Severus Alexander.