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'''Elagabalus''' was emperor of [[Rome]] from A.D. 218 - 222 succeeding [[Macrinus]] who had been assassinated when he became unpopular with the military after he tried to cut the pay of the troops.  Elagabalus was chosen because of his bloodline to [[Severus]]. He took the name Elagabalus in reverence for the Syrian sun god.<ref>''Encyclopedia of Military History'', Dupuy & Dupuy, 1979</ref>

'''Elagabalus''' was emperor of [[Rome]] from A.D. 218 - 222 succeeding [[Macrinus]] who had been assassinated when he became unpopular with the military after he tried to cut the pay of the troops.  Elagabalus was chosen because of his bloodline to [[Severus]]. He took the name Elagabalus in reverence for the Syrian sun god.<ref>''Encyclopedia of Military History'', Dupuy & Dupuy, 1979</ref>

Elagabalus was one sick tranny. "The name Elagabalus is branded in history above all others; for Caligula and Nero, if compared to him, appear in favorable light," according to nineteenth century historian Barthold Georg Niebuhr.<ref name=Niebuhr>Niebuhr, Barthold Georg, ''[http://books.google.com.vn/books?id=hbg_AAAAYAAJ&dq=Elagabalus+to+even+allude+to&source=gbs_navlinks_s The History of Rome from the First Punic War to the Death of Constantine]'' (1844), p. 306.</ref> His vices "are of such a kind that it is too disgusting even to allude to them."<ref name="Niebuhr" />  

Elagabalus was one sick tyrant. "The name Elagabalus is branded in history above all others; for Caligula and Nero, if compared to him, appear in favorable light," according to nineteenth century historian Barthold Georg Niebuhr.<ref name=Niebuhr>Niebuhr, Barthold Georg, ''[http://books.google.com.vn/books?id=hbg_AAAAYAAJ&dq=Elagabalus+to+even+allude+to&source=gbs_navlinks_s The History of Rome from the First Punic War to the Death of Constantine]'' (1844), p. 306.</ref> His vices "are of such a kind that it is too disgusting even to allude to them."<ref name="Niebuhr" />  

Only about 13 years of age at the time of his ascension to the throne, the empire was ruled by his forceful mother, Julia Soaemias.<ref>''An Encyclopedia of World History'', Kingsport Press, 1948</ref> He adopted his cousin [[Alexander Severus]] as his successor. Although Elagabalus treated his soldiers well, they despised him on account of his "unspeakably disgusting life."<ref name="Niebuhr" /> The [[Praetorian guard]] murdered Elagabalus in 222, paving the way for his cousin to rule.

Only about 13 years of age at the time of his ascension to the throne, the empire was ruled by his forceful mother, Julia Soaemias.<ref>''An Encyclopedia of World History'', Kingsport Press, 1948</ref> He adopted his cousin [[Alexander Severus]] as his successor. Although Elagabalus treated his soldiers well, they despised him on account of his "unspeakably disgusting life."<ref name="Niebuhr" /> The [[Praetorian guard]] murdered Elagabalus in 222, paving the way for his cousin to rule.