Description
Majestic and beautiful 1800 years old coin from the Roman Empire for the Roman Emperor Elagabalus, it will make magnificent Royal-class gift for someone special.
It will come in our luxury pouch and box.
Elagabalus (218-222 AD)
Mint: Syria, Antioch.
Billon Tetradrachm
Obverse: Bust of Emperor. Reverse: standing Eagle
Diameter: 25 mm
Weight: 11.11 g
Elagabalus, officially known as Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, was a Roman emperor who ruled from 218 to 222 CE. Born in 204 CE, he is one of the most controversial figures in Roman history due to his unconventional behavior, religious reforms, and disregard for Roman traditions.
Early Life
Elagabalus was born as Sextus Varius Avitus Bassianus in Emesa (modern-day Homs, Syria). He was a member of a prominent family with connections to the Syrian sun god, Elagabal, which played a significant role in his reign. His mother, Julia Soaemias, and grandmother, Julia Maesa, were influential figures from the Severan dynasty.
Rise to Power
Elagabalus ascended to the throne after the assassination of Emperor Caracalla, largely due to the political maneuvering of his grandmother Julia Maesa. She declared him as Caracalla’s illegitimate son and rallied military support. At just 14 years old, he became emperor after his forces defeated the incumbent Emperor Macrinus.
Religious Reforms
As emperor, Elagabalus attempted to impose the worship of Elagabal, a deity represented by a black stone, as the chief god of Rome. He brought the sacred stone of Elagabal to Rome and built a grand temple, the Elagabalium, on the Palatine Hill. His actions alienated many Romans, who viewed his religious reforms as sacrilegious and an affront to traditional Roman deities.
Scandals and Controversy
Elagabalus’s reign was marked by scandal and eccentric behavior:
- He is often accused of extreme hedonism and flamboyant conduct, challenging traditional Roman morality.
- Allegations from ancient sources claim he married multiple times, including a rumored marriage to a Vestal Virgin, which was considered a grave sacrilege.
- Roman historians also report controversial rumors about his sexual behavior and identity, including a desire for gender reassignment surgery—making him one of the earliest recorded figures associated with such topics.
Decline and Assassination
Elagabalus’s erratic rule caused widespread discontent among the Senate, the military, and the general population. His grandmother, Julia Maesa, recognizing the growing unrest, orchestrated a plan to replace him with his cousin Alexander Severus. In 222 CE, Elagabalus and his mother were assassinated by members of the Praetorian Guard. Their bodies were desecrated, and Elagabalus’s memory was condemned through a damnatio memoriae (erasure from public records).
Legacy
Despite his short and tumultuous reign, Elagabalus remains a fascinating historical figure, representing the complexities of cultural integration, religious change, and personal identity in ancient Rome. His life and rule have been subjects of both fascination and vilification by ancient and modern historians.
