Emperor_, A.D. 218-222.
[Born at Antioch, A.D. 204. Assassinated A.D. 222. Aged 18.]
From his earliest years a priest of the Sun in the Temple of Emesa, in
Syria: but by the intrigues of his grandmother, Julia Mæsa, declared
Emperor of Rome, in place of Macrinus, whom he defeated in battle, and
put to death. Elagabalus--so called from his sun-worship--the priest
taking the name of the God--introduced into Rome the superstitions in
which he had been nurtured. By way of strengthening his power, his
grandmother induced him to associate with himself, in the government,
his cousin Alexander Severus. Repenting of this act, he was about to
undo it, when a revolt of the Prætorians decided the question of rule by
assassinating him and throwing his body into the Tiber. A more worthless
carcase had never floated down the polluted river. His vices were as
gross as his superstitions. He left behind him a smirched and hated
name.
[All Busts of him were ordered to be destroyed by the Senate: they are
consequently rare. This is from the Capitoline Museum at Rome.]