expat Posted November 13, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted November 13, 2023 Born Sextus Varius Avitus Bassianus in 204AD, better known by his nicknames Elagabalus and Heliogabalus, was Roman Emperor from 218 to 222, while he was still a teenager. His short reign was notorious for sex scandals and religious controversy. A close relative to the Severan dynasty, he came from a prominent Arab family in Emesa (Homs), Syria, where since his early youth he served as head priest of the sun god Elagabal. After the death of his cousin, the emperor Caracalla, Elagabalus was raised to the principate at 14 years of age in an army revolt instigated by his grandmother Julia Maesa against Caracalla's short-lived successor, Macrinus. He only posthumously became known by the Latinised name of his god. Later historians suggest Elagabalus showed a disregard for Roman religious traditions and sexual taboos. He replaced the traditional head of the Roman pantheon, Jupiter, with the deity Elagabal, of whom he had been high priest. He forced leading members of Rome's government to participate in religious rites celebrating this deity, presiding over them in person. He married four women, including a Vestal Virgin, in addition to lavishing favours on male courtiers thought to have been his lovers. He was also reported to have prostituted himself. His behavior estranged the Praetorian Guard, the Senate and the common people alike. Amidst growing opposition, at just 18 years of age he was assassinated and replaced by his cousin Severus Alexander in March 222. The assassination plot against Elagabalus was devised by Julia Maesa and carried out by disaffected members of the Praetorian Guard. Elagabalus developed a reputation among his contemporaries for extreme eccentricity, decadence, zealotry and sexual promiscuity. This tradition has persisted; among writers of the early modern age he endured one of the worst reputations among Roman emperors. Edward Gibbon, notably, wrote that Elagabalus "abandoned himself to the grossest pleasures with ungoverned fury". According to Barthold Georg Niebuhr, "the name Elagabalus is branded in history above all others" because of his "unspeakably disgusting life". Herodian writes that when the emperor Macrinus came to power, he suppressed the threat to his reign from the family of his assassinated predecessor, Caracalla, by exiling them—Julia Maesa, her two daughters, and her eldest grandson Elagabalus—to their estate at Emesa in Syria. Almost upon arrival in Syria, Maesa began a plot with her advisor and Elagabalus's tutor, Gannys, to overthrow Macrinus and elevate the fourteen-year-old Elagabalus to the imperial throne. Maesa spread a rumor, which Soaemias publicly supported, that Elagabalus was the illegitimate child of Caracalla and so deserved the loyalty of Roman soldiers and senators who had sworn allegiance to Caracalla. The soldiers of the Third Legion Gallica at Raphana, who had enjoyed greater privileges under Caracalla and resented Macrinus (and may have been impressed or bribed by Maesa's wealth), supported this claim. As a tribute to the military for their support, he adopted the same name Caracalla used as Emperor, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. Elagabalus AR Denarius, Rome 220-222 AD IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate draped bust right / VICTORIA AVG, Victory flying left, open diadem in both hands, shields to both sides, star in right field. RSC 300. RIC 161. BMC 234. 2,8 g - 18,5 mm Please post your coins of Elagabalus, his Family or anything related. 11 1 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted November 13, 2023 · Member Share Posted November 13, 2023 Here is the similar, dated version of the same reverse type:- Elagabalus Denarius Obv:- IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate draped bust right Rev:- P M TRP IIII COS III P P, Victory flying left holding open wreath, star erroneously in both fields. Minted in Rome. Reference:- RIC 45, RSC 195a, BMC 251 12 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nerosmyfavorite68 Posted November 13, 2023 · Member Share Posted November 13, 2023 Cool, I only have perhaps a couple of coins of Elagabalus (unless some are kicking around in the bag o' unsorted provincials). I would post one, but my record-keeping was poor during that period and I might not actually own that coin (I'd also save interesting coin listings). 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted November 13, 2023 · Member Share Posted November 13, 2023 (edited) 26 minutes ago, expat said: Born Sextus Varius Avitus Bassianus in 204AD, better known by his nicknames Elagabalus and Heliogabalus Very nice coin - congratulations! A historically very interesting emperor. Unfortunately, his motives for the imperial silver issues are quite boring and monotonous - with a few exceptions. Ok - that's my subjective opinion. But it's actually a shame. Such an interesting emperor - and yet not much variety on the backs. However, things look completely different with his provincial bronzes - in my opinion. There are really nice, varied pieces there. But as always - it's all a matter of taste, of course. Historically as written, a very interesting emperor. Here is a coin from me - with the "Horn of the Emperor". Here is a publication on the topic - unfortunately, as far as I know, only available in German: https://www.academia.edu/1006502/Das_sogenannte_Horn_des_Elagabal_Die_Spitze_eines_Stierpenis_Eine_Umdeutung_als_Ergebnis_fachübergreifender_Forschung Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Elagabal; Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 218/222 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 19mm; Weight: 2.69g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Elagabalus 88b; Provenance: Ex Künker Numismatik Germany; Obverse: Bust of Elagabalus, usually horned, laureate, draped, right. The Inscription reads: IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG for Imperator Antoninus Pius Augustus; Reverse: Elagabalus, in Syrian priestly robes, standing left, sacrificing out of patera in right hand over tripod, holding club in left hand; behind tripod, bull lying down; in field, star. The Inscription reads: INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG for Invictus sacerdos Augusti (Invincible priest emperor). Edited November 13, 2023 by YOTHR 10 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted November 13, 2023 · Supporter Author Share Posted November 13, 2023 3 minutes ago, YOTHR said: Very nice coin - congratulations! A historically very interesting emperor. Unfortunately, his motives for the imperial silver issues are quite boring and monotonous - with a few exceptions. Ok - that's my subjective opinion. But it's actually a shame. Such an interesting emperor - and yet not much variety on the backs. However, things look completely different with his provincial bronzes - in my opinion. There are really nice, varied pieces there. But as always - it's all a matter of taste, of course. Historically as written, a very interesting emperor. Here is a coin from me - with the "Horn of the Emperor". Here is a publication on the topic - unfortunately, as far as I know, only available in German: https://www.academia.edu/1006502/Das_sogenannte_Horn_des_Elagabal_Die_Spitze_eines_Stierpenis_Eine_Umdeutung_als_Ergebnis_fachübergreifender_Forschung Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Elagabal; Denarius of the Roman Imperial Period 218/222 AD; Material: Silver; Diameter: 19mm; Weight: 2.69g; Mint: Rome; Reference: RIC IV Elagabalus 88b; Provenance: Ex Künker Numismatik Germany; Obverse: Bust of Elagabalus, usually horned, laureate, draped, right. The Inscription reads: IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG for Imperator Antoninus Pius Augustus; Reverse: Elagabalus, in Syrian priestly robes, standing left, sacrificing out of patera in right hand over tripod, holding club in left hand; behind tripod, bull lying down; in field, star. The Inscription reads: INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG for Invictus sacerdos Augusti (Invincible priest emperor). I will read that publication later with interest. As my Wife is half Norwegian, half German she will translate anything I don´t fully understand. Thanks for the link. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted November 13, 2023 · Member Share Posted November 13, 2023 Just now, expat said: Thanks for the link. N.p. 🙂 Just now, expat said: my Wife is half Norwegian, half German Your wife are Lagertha or Grimhild? Or booth? 😄 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted November 13, 2023 · Member Share Posted November 13, 2023 There are several variations of the emperor with altar type. Elagabalus denarius Obv:– IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate, horned, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:– INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG, Elagabalus standing holding patera over an altar and branch. Star in right field. Horn on ground to his left Minted in Rome. A.D. 222 Reference– BMC 209 note. RIC 87 (where it is rated Common citing Cohen). RSC III 58. Cohen 58 (illustrated with star in right field) valued at 50 Fr. No examples in RD. ex Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG Sale 42, Lot 379, 20th November 2007, ex Barry Feirstein Collection, previously privately purchased from Harlan J. Berk. Described as Lightly toned and good extremely fine by NAC. 21 mm. 3.11 gms. 0 degrees. The coin would certainly seem to be scarcer than the "Common" rating given in RIC would imply. No examples in RD, only one example on acsearch (this coin). No examples on Wildwinds (the RIC 87 there would appear to be in error 11 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted November 13, 2023 · Member Share Posted November 13, 2023 1 minute ago, maridvnvm said: There are several variations of the emperor with altar type. ... your coin has a impressive "Emperor-Horn" - thats great. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted November 13, 2023 · Supporter Author Share Posted November 13, 2023 5 minutes ago, YOTHR said: N.p. 🙂 Your wife are Lagertha or Grimhild? Or booth? 😄 She is A mixture of Valkyrie and Lagertha. 🤩 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtisimo Posted November 13, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted November 13, 2023 (edited) Great coin @expat! Mine is also a “horn” / bull-dong example. I wrote an overview of the the theories for what the “horn” is over at CT a while back. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/is-elagabalus-really-wearing-a-desiccated-bull-phallus-on-his-head.385688/ Edited November 13, 2023 by Curtisimo 11 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted November 13, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted November 13, 2023 (edited) Here is a tet of Antioch: (Sorry the obverse is kind of blurry, an early effort at phone photography) Elagabalus, 218-222 A.D. AR Tetradrachm, struck 218-220 A.D., 25mm 12.02 grams Obverse: Laureate head of Elagabalus right AVT K M A ANTONEINOC CEB Reverse: Eagle standing left, wreath in beak, star between legs, delta epsilon in field DH MARC EX UPATOC TO B Reference: Prieur 249A; McAlee 760 Edited November 13, 2023 by Ancient Coin Hunter 12 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted November 13, 2023 · Member Share Posted November 13, 2023 My best Elagabal is a coin with altar reverse and a .... horn. @YOTHR might recognize it. 19 mm, 3,34 g. Elagabalus 218-222. AR denarius. Rome. 220-222. IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate and draped bust of Elagabalus to right, wearing 'horn' over forehead / SVMMVS SACERDOS AVG, Elagabalus standing front, head to left, holding patera over lighted altar in his right hand and club in his left; in field to left, star. BMC 231; RSC 276a; RIC 146. 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayAg47 Posted November 14, 2023 · Member Share Posted November 14, 2023 What a crazy kid! Elagabalus sacrificing at a fire altar Elagabalus and his black rock on a lime issue. Elagabalus. AD 218-222. Æ ‘Limes’ Denarius 2.3 gm. Obv: Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right. Rev: SANCT DEO SOLI, ELAGABAL in exergue, quadriga right bearing stone of Emesa upon which is an eagle; four parasols around. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor LONGINUS Posted November 14, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted November 14, 2023 Interesting post and great coin, @expat Here’s my Elagabalus denarius and a conceptual image of what Elagabal might have looked like. 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furryfrog02 Posted November 14, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted November 14, 2023 I have 3 Imperial coins of Elagabalus. All 3 depict Victory in a different manner: Elagabalus Denarius. IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate draped bust right / P M TRP IIII COS III P P, Victory flying left holding open wreath, star in right field Elagabalus. A.D. 218-222. AR denarius (19 mm, 2.76 g, 6 h). Rome mint, Struck A.D. 219. IMP CAES ANTONINVS AVG, laureate and draped bust right / VICTOR ANTONINI AVG, Victory advancing right, holding palm and wreath Elagabalus, Limes Denarius. 218-222 AD. IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate draped bust right / VICTORIA AVG, Victory flying left, diadem in both hands, shields to sides, 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted November 14, 2023 · Patron Share Posted November 14, 2023 Oh, let's see what I have in the way of Elagabalus. How about the last Severan antoninianus? After Elagabalus, the denomination was no longer minted until the "year of the six emperors," AD 238, when it was reintroduced by Balbinus. Elagabalus, AD 218-222. Roman AR Antoninianus, 5.17 g, 21.3 mm. Rome, AD 219. Obv: IMP ANTONINVS AVG, radiate and draped bust, right. Rev: P M TR PII COSII P P, Fortuna enthroned left, holding rudder on globe and cornucopiae; wheel below seat. Refs: RIC 18; BMCRE 94; Cohen 148; RCV 7495. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Octavius Posted November 14, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted November 14, 2023 Several Antoniniani of Elagabalus... 1. Fides Exercitus reverse... 2. Salus of Antoninus Augustus... 3. Victory with wreath... 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor robinjojo Posted November 14, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted November 14, 2023 (edited) Nice coins posted! A large hoard of his Antioch tetradrachms must have hit the market a few years ago. Elagabalus, BI tetradrachm, Antioch, 218-222 AD. SR-2141; BMC-418. 15.13 grams I image that if he were alive today, he'd be a big hit on TikTok! Here's one more tetradrachm, Antioch, with the eagle facing left. Very crude style as well. Elagabalus, BI tetradrachm, Antioch, 218-222 AD. SR-2141; BMC-418. 12.88 grams Edited November 14, 2023 by robinjojo 7 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limes Posted November 14, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted November 14, 2023 16 hours ago, expat said: Born Sextus Varius Avitus Bassianus in 204AD, better known by his nicknames Elagabalus and Heliogabalus, was Roman Emperor from 218 to 222, while he was still a teenager. His short reign was notorious for sex scandals and religious controversy. A close relative to the Severan dynasty, he came from a prominent Arab family in Emesa (Homs), Syria, where since his early youth he served as head priest of the sun god Elagabal. After the death of his cousin, the emperor Caracalla, Elagabalus was raised to the principate at 14 years of age in an army revolt instigated by his grandmother Julia Maesa against Caracalla's short-lived successor, Macrinus. He only posthumously became known by the Latinised name of his god. Later historians suggest Elagabalus showed a disregard for Roman religious traditions and sexual taboos. He replaced the traditional head of the Roman pantheon, Jupiter, with the deity Elagabal, of whom he had been high priest. He forced leading members of Rome's government to participate in religious rites celebrating this deity, presiding over them in person. He married four women, including a Vestal Virgin, in addition to lavishing favours on male courtiers thought to have been his lovers. He was also reported to have prostituted himself. His behavior estranged the Praetorian Guard, the Senate and the common people alike. Amidst growing opposition, at just 18 years of age he was assassinated and replaced by his cousin Severus Alexander in March 222. The assassination plot against Elagabalus was devised by Julia Maesa and carried out by disaffected members of the Praetorian Guard. Elagabalus developed a reputation among his contemporaries for extreme eccentricity, decadence, zealotry and sexual promiscuity. This tradition has persisted; among writers of the early modern age he endured one of the worst reputations among Roman emperors. Edward Gibbon, notably, wrote that Elagabalus "abandoned himself to the grossest pleasures with ungoverned fury". According to Barthold Georg Niebuhr, "the name Elagabalus is branded in history above all others" because of his "unspeakably disgusting life". Herodian writes that when the emperor Macrinus came to power, he suppressed the threat to his reign from the family of his assassinated predecessor, Caracalla, by exiling them—Julia Maesa, her two daughters, and her eldest grandson Elagabalus—to their estate at Emesa in Syria. Almost upon arrival in Syria, Maesa began a plot with her advisor and Elagabalus's tutor, Gannys, to overthrow Macrinus and elevate the fourteen-year-old Elagabalus to the imperial throne. Maesa spread a rumor, which Soaemias publicly supported, that Elagabalus was the illegitimate child of Caracalla and so deserved the loyalty of Roman soldiers and senators who had sworn allegiance to Caracalla. The soldiers of the Third Legion Gallica at Raphana, who had enjoyed greater privileges under Caracalla and resented Macrinus (and may have been impressed or bribed by Maesa's wealth), supported this claim. As a tribute to the military for their support, he adopted the same name Caracalla used as Emperor, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. Elagabalus AR Denarius, Rome 220-222 AD IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate draped bust right / VICTORIA AVG, Victory flying left, open diadem in both hands, shields to both sides, star in right field. RSC 300. RIC 161. BMC 234. 2,8 g - 18,5 mm Please post your coins of Elagabalus, his Family or anything related. Nice write up and coin too! 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maridvnvm Posted November 14, 2023 · Member Share Posted November 14, 2023 Here is a small sample of other coins of Elagabalus that I have gathered recently. Obv:– ANTONINVS PIVS FEL AVG, laureate draped bust right Rev:– CON_SVL II P P, Aequitas standing left holding scales and cornucopia Minted in Antioch, A.D. 218-219 Reference:– RIC 167. RSC 22 Obv:- IMP ANTONINVS AVG Laureate and draped bust right Rev:- P M TR P II COS II P P Fortuna seated left on throne, holding rudder set on globe in her right hand and cornucopiae with her left; below throne, wheel. Minted in Rome. A.D. 219 Reference:- RSC 149. RIC 19. BMCRE 96. Weight 3.173g. 18.94mm. 180 degrees Obv:– IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:– INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG, Elagabalus standing holding a patera over an altar and a club. Star in left field. Bull behind the altar Minted in Rome. A.D. 220-222 Reference– BMC 209-210. RIC 88. RSC III 61b Obv:– IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate, horned, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:– INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG, Elagabalus standing holding a patera over an altar and a club. Star in left field. Bull behind the altar Minted in Rome. A.D. 220-222 Reference– BMC 209-210. RIC 88. RSC III 61 Obv:– IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate, horned, draped and cuirassed bust right Rev:– P M TR P IIII COS III P P, Elagabalus standing holding a patera over an altar and a branch. Star in left field Minted in Rome. A.D. 221 Reference– BMC 339. RIC 177. RSC III 196 Remanants of star in right field. The die having been re-engraved to place the star correctly in front of the emperor 6 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prieure de Sion Posted November 16, 2023 · Member Share Posted November 16, 2023 I was sorting through my PDF library today and found the attached PDF. Maybe someone doesn't know the publication yet and is interested in it. Icks Martijn - From Priest to Emperor to Priest-Emperor the failed Legitimation of Elagabalus.pdf 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted November 16, 2023 · Supporter Author Share Posted November 16, 2023 1 hour ago, Prieure de Sion said: I was sorting through my PDF library today and found the attached PDF. Maybe someone doesn't know the publication yet and is interested in it. Icks Martijn - From Priest to Emperor to Priest-Emperor the failed Legitimation of Elagabalus.pdf 124.04 kB · 0 downloads Thanks, I will download it and have a read later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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