Today in History: Assassination!

On this day (March 11) in the year 222, Roman Emperor Elagabalus was assassinated by his own Praetorian Guard (who were charged with keeping him alive). He had been put on the throne through the machinations of his grandmother, Julia Maesa, who arranged the assassination of her nephew to make way for the then 14 year old Elagabalus. Born in Syria and culturally Eastern, he was not a good match for the Romans. He was transgendered and preferred sexual liaisons with men, instead of women (although he did marry five times during his four year reign). Romans were not opposed to homosexuality, but they believed the only “respectable” position in the relationship was as the “active” partner emulating the male in a traditional male/female relationship. Elagabalus enjoyed calling himself the “queen” and the “wife” of his lover, Hierocles, and this was a bit too much for the Romans. Apparently he also enjoyed a game in which he play-acted “prostituting” himself to men passing through the halls of his residence. As his reputation sank his grandmother (the same woman who had put him on the throne four years earlier) arranged his assassination so she could try again with another grandson.