Elagabalus



Elagabalus, also known as Heliogabalus, was born in 205. He got his name from a sun god named El-Gabal at Emesa, and he became emperor in 218. His reign was a tragic farce, as his public image deteriorated. He gave offices to an actor, a charioteer, and a barber, and he put up public notices that he would reward anyone who could figure out how to make him into a woman without killing him. He also went to brothels to pay prostitutes to allow him to take their place and force men to sleep with him. He was murdered by the Praetorian Guard and his cousin Alexander Severus took over.