Rise to power Elagabalus

the triumph of elagabalus, baetyl behind him, illustrated a. leroux (1902)

when emperor macrinus came power, suppressed threat against reign family of assassinated predecessor, caracalla, exiling them—julia maesa, 2 daughters, , eldest grandson elagabalus—to estate @ emesa in syria. upon arrival in syria, maesa began plot advisor , elagabalus tutor, gannys, overthrow macrinus , elevate fourteen-year-old elagabalus imperial throne.

his mother publicly declared illegitimate son of caracalla, , therefore deserving loyalty of roman soldiers , senators had sworn allegiance caracalla. after julia maesa displayed wealth third legion @ raphana swore allegiance elagabalus. @ sunrise on 16 may 218, publius valerius comazon, commander of legion, declared him emperor. strengthen legitimacy elagabalus assumed caracalla s names, marcus aurelius antoninus.

in response macrinus dispatched praetorian prefect ulpius julianus region contingent of troops considered strong enough crush rebellion. however, force joined faction of elagabalus when, during battle, turned on own commanders. officers killed , julianus head sent emperor.

macrinus sent letters senate denouncing elagabalus false antoninus , claiming insane. both consuls , other high-ranking members of rome s leadership condemned elagabalus, , senate subsequently declared war on both elagabalus , julia maesa.

macrinus , son, weakened desertion of second legion due bribes , promises circulated julia maesa, defeated on 8 june 218 @ battle of antioch troops commanded gannys. macrinus fled italy, disguised courier, intercepted near chalcedon , executed in cappadocia. son diadumenian, sent friendly hostage parthian court guarantee of peace between states, captured @ zeugma , put death.

elagabalus declared date of victory @ antioch beginning of reign , assumed imperial titles without prior senatorial approval. violated tradition common practice among 3rd-century emperors nonetheless. letters of reconciliation dispatched rome extending amnesty senate , recognizing laws, while condemning administration of macrinus , son.

the senators responded acknowledging elagabalus emperor , accepting claim son of caracalla. caracalla , julia domna both deified senate, both julia maesa , julia soaemias elevated rank of augustae, , memory of both macrinus , diadumenian expunged senate. former commander of third legion, comazon, appointed commander of praetorian guard.