XLAOADAMUS, called also HELIOGABAMUS, was the grandson of Massa, sister to the empress Julia, the wife of Septimius Severus. Mao& had two daughters, &minis, or Seminmira, the mother of Varius Arhus Bassisnus, afterwards called Elagabalus, who was reported to be the illegitimate son of Caracalla and Mammma, mother of Alexander Severna Elagabalus was born at Antioch A.D. 204. Mesa took care of his infancy and placed him, when five years of age, in the temple of the Sun at Emesa to be educated by the priests ; and through her influence he was made, while yet a boy, high priest of the Sun. That divinity was called in Syria 'Elagabal,' which name the boy assumed. After the death of Caracalla and the elevation of 3Iacrinne, the latter having incurred by his severity the dislike of the soldiers, Mrcsa availed herself of this feeling to induce the officers to rise in favour of her grandson, whom she presented to them as the son of the murdered Caracalla. Elagabalus, who was then in his fifteenth year, was proclaimed emperor by the legion stationed at Emesa. Having put himself at their head he was attacked by Macrinus, who at first had the advantage, but he and his mother Smmis, with great spirit, brought the soldiers again to the charge, and defeated Macrinus, who was overtaken in hla flight and pat to death A.D. 218. Elagabalus having entered Antioch, wrote a letter to the senate, professing to take for his model Marcus Aurelius Antoninua, a name revered at Rome : Elagabalus also assumed that emperor'. name. The senate acknowledged him, and he set off for Rome, but tarried Fevers] months on his way amidst festivals and amusements, and at last stopped at Nicomedia for the winter. In the following year he arrived at Rome, and began a career of debauchery, extravagance, and cruelty, which lasted the remaining three years of his reign, and the disgusting details of which are given by Lampri dine, lierodianus, and Dion. Some critics have imagined, especially from the shortness of his reign, that there must be some exaggeration in these accounts, for he could hardly have done in so short a time all the mischief that is attributed to him. That be was extremely
dissolute and totally incapable is certain ; and this is not to be wondered at, from his previous eastern education, his extreme youth, the corrupt example of his mother, his sudden elevation, and the general profligacy of the times. Ile surrounded himself with gladia tors, actors, and other base favouritea, who made an unworthy use of their Influence. lie married several wives, among others a vestal. The imperial palace became a scene of debauch and open prostitution. Ilagabedne being attached to the superstitions of the East, raised a temple on the Palatine hill to the Syrian god whose name he bore, and plundered the temples of the Roman gods to enrich his own. He put to death many senators; he established a senate of women, under the presidency of his mother Stem* which body decided all questions relative to female dresses, visits, precedence, amusements, &c. Ho wore his pontifical vest as high priest of the Sun, with a rich tiara on his head. ills grandmother Mena, seeing his folly, thought of con ciliating the Roman. by associating with him as Caesar his younger cousin, Alexander Severus, who soon became a favourite with the people. Elagabalus, who had consented to the association, became afterwards jealous of his cousin, and wished to deprive him of his honours, but he could not obtain the consent of the senate. His next measure was to spread the report of Alexander's death, which produced an insurrection among the pretorlans, and Elagabalus having repaired to their camp to quell the mutiny, was murdered together with his mother and favourites, and his body was thrown Into the Tiber, March, A.D. 222. Ito was succeeded by Alexander Sevens.. [Savanna.) The coins of Elagabalus bear the names of Marcus Aure lius Antonlnus, like those of Caracalla, with which they are often con founded. The names of Varius Avitus Baesinnus, which he also bore before his elevation to the throne, are not found on his medals. He took the name of Variva from Sextus Varius Mareehlus, who was hie mother'. husband.