ELAGABALUS: MAD, BAD OR MISUNDERSTOOD?

Elagabalus, a third-century Roman emperor, is known for his reputation of depravity and promiscuity. However, the truth behind these rumors is uncertain. Elagabalus came to power at the age of 14 after his cousin Caracalla was assassinated. Throughout his reign, there were rumors of his unconventional behavior, such as awarding positions based on sexual encounters and hosting extravagant and scandalous dinner parties. However, the reliability of these accounts is questionable, as there is little physical evidence to support them. Elagabalus also faced criticism for his worship of the god Elagabal and his disregard for traditional Roman gods. He was eventually assassinated by his own Praetorian Guard after just four years on the throne. The perception of Elagabalus as mad or bad is still debated among historians. [Extracted from the article]