Varius Avitus Bassianus, later known as Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus or Elagabalus, ascended to the Roman throne under unique circumstances. A hereditary priest of the sun god Elagabal in Emesa, he brought the deity’s sacred meteorite to Rome, attempting to merge its cult with traditional Roman religion. His religious reforms, including his controversial marriage to Vestal Virgin Julia Aquilia Severa, alienated conservative factions in the empire. Ultimately, his reign ended in 222 AD when mutinous soldiers assassinated him, allowing his cousin Severus Alexander, backed by their grandmother Julia Maesa, to succeed him. The sacred stone of Emesa, depicted on coinage from his reign, was returned to Syria after his death.

Elagabalus is remembered more for his eccentricities and perceived excesses than for his governance. In the 19th century, antiquarian S.W. Stevenson described him as one of history’s most infamous rulers, highlighting his cruelty and decadence. Rumored to be the natural son of Emperor Caracalla, Elagabalus’s claim to power was bolstered by Roman soldiers stationed near Emesa who admired Caracalla and practiced solar worship. After Caracalla’s assassination, his successor Macrinus recalled Elagabalus’s family to Syria, inadvertently setting the stage for his own downfall. Hailed as emperor by the troops, Elagabalus defeated Macrinus in a decisive battle near Antioch, paving the way for his controversial rule in Rome.

Elagabalus’s journey to Rome epitomized his religious zeal. Accompanied by the sacred meteorite representing the god Elagabal, he embarked on an overland journey that lasted over a year. This iconic conical stone, likely a meteorite, was transported ceremonially in a chariot drawn by four horses. It symbolized the fusion of his religious identity with his imperial aspirations, a theme reflected in his coinage, where the stone often bore an eagle emblem. Despite the emperor's efforts to integrate the cult of Elagabal into Roman culture, his religious and personal eccentricities ultimately alienated the Roman elite and contributed to his downfall.

Elagabalus, 218 – 222. Aureus, Antiochia circa 218-219, AV 7.18 g. IMP C M AVR ANTONINVS P F AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust r. Rev. SANCT DEO SOLI Slow quadriga r., on which is the Stone of Emesa surmounted by eagle, surrounded by four parasols; in exergue, ELAGABAL. C 265. RIC 143. BMC 273.

Ex NAC sale 67, 2012, Huntington part I, 197. Ex HSA 8054.