16 May AD 218
Elagabalus emperor

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Varius Avitus Bassianus is just 14 when his mother's lover persuades the Third Legion 'Gallica', based in Syria, to acclaim him as emperor. The followers of Macrinus, who succeeded Caracalla as emperor (see 8 April AD 217), are defeated on 8 June at Antioch. The new emperor, a Syrian, is the hereditary high priest of the sun god Elagabalus, whose name he adopts as his own. He also instals Elagabalus as the principal Roman deity – 'even before Jupiter himself' – and tries to compel everyone, including Jews and Christians, to worship before him. He even marries one of the Vestal Virgins and scandalises Rome with his bisexuality, tranvestitism and penchant for playing the part of a prostitute in Rome's brothels (see Sex and sleaze).

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