Elagabalus

Born Sextus Varius Avitus Bassianus around 204 in Emesa, Syria, he served as head priest of the sun god Elagabal before his grandmother Julia Maesa engineered an army revolt that made him emperor at 14 in 218, overthrowing Macrinus after the death of his cousin Caracalla. He brought the cult's large baetyl stone to Rome and forced the Senate to participate in its rites, disregarding Roman religious tradition. Contemporary senator Cassius Dio and later sources accused him of marrying four women including a Vestal Virgin, lavishing favours on male courtiers suggested as lovers, and prostituting…