Elagabalus

Elagabalus or Heliogabalus (c. 203–March 11, 222), born Varius Avitus Bassus and also known as Varius Avitus Bassianus Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, was a Roman emperor of the Severan dynasty who reigned from 218 to 222. Elagabalus was and is one of the most controversial Roman emperors. During his reign he showed a disregard for Roman religious traditions and sexual taboos. Elagabalus supplanted Jupiter as the head of the Roman pantheon in favor of a new god, Deus Sol Invictus, a Latinized name for a manifestation of the Semitic deity Ēl. Elagabalus forced leading members of Rome's government to participate in religious rites celebrating Sol invictus which he personally led.

Related Topics:
203 - March 11 - 222 - Roman emperor - Severan dynasty - 218 - Taboo - Jupiter - Roman pantheon - Deus Sol Invictus - Ēl

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He also took a Vestal Virgin as one of a succession of wives and openly flaunted that his sexual interest in men was more than the pastime of previous emperors.

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Elagabalus developed a reputation among his contemporaries for eccentricity, decadence, and zealotry which was likely exaggerated by his successors. This black propaganda was passed on and as such he was one of the most reviled Roman emperors to early Christian historians and later became a hero to the Decadent movement of the late 19th century.

Related Topics:
Christian - Decadent - 19th century

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