Elagabalus tetradrachm, 24.5 mm, 12 g RPC VI №: 7948 (temporary) Reign: Elagabalus (Augustus) City: Uncertain mint of the Syrian Tetradrachms Region: Syria Province: Syria Coele Obverse: ΑΝΤωΝΕΙΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ ΑΥΤ Κ Μ Α; laureate head of Elagabalus, left, with drapery Reverse: ΔΗΜΑΡΧ ΕΞ ΥΠΑΤΟϹ ΤΟ Β Δ Ε; eagle standing facing, head left, holding wreath in beak and spreading wings; star between legs | L5

A classic depiction of Roman decadence, a subject that was popular in Victorian times! The painting illustrates an episode in the life of the emperor Elagabalus (or Heliogabalus) taken from the book Augusta Historia: “In a banqueting-room with a reversible ceiling he once buried his guests in violets and other flowers, so that some were actually smothered to death, being unable to crawl out to the top.” Did this really happen? Probably not, the author of the book written in 4th century uses exag

Emperor Elagabalus was rumored to be a fashion freak who changed sex. At only 14 when he took the throne, the stories might be fantasy or propaganda. Have you heard these stories before? #emperor #history #facts #fiction #ancientRome | Odyssey - Ancient History

“The Roses of Heliogabalus” by Lawrence Alma-Tadema #ancientrome #roses #reels | Daily Dose of Art