Elagabalus became Roman emperor at 14, was assassinated at 18, and managed to pack more scandal into those four years than most rulers achieve in a lifetime. His grandmother, Julia Maesa, orchestrated his rise to power in 218 CE through an army revolt, and she'd orchestrate his death the same way when he became too much to handle.

Born into a prominent Syrian family in Emesa (modern Homs), Elagabalus served as high priest of the sun god Elagabal from a young age. When he took the throne, he didn't leave his god behind — he brought the entire cult to Rome, including the massive black stone that represented the deity, and forced senators and military commanders to participate in his religious rites.

Ancient sources paint him as spectacularly debauched: four marriages (including to a Vestal

See Full Page