Kdo je hodil z Elagabal?

Elagabal (latinsko Marcvs Avrelivs Antoninvs Heliogabalvs), rimski cesar (218–222) iz severske dinastije, * okrog 203, Emesa, Sirija, † 11. marec 222, Rim.

Kot mladenič iz cesarske severske dinastije je bil svečenik istoimenskega sirijskega boga sonca, Elagabala. Po umoru njegovega mrzlega strica Karakale je oblast prevzel pretorijanski prefekt Makrin. Elagabalova mati Julija Soaemias in babica Julija Maesa sta izkoristili nezadovoljstvo v vojski in z denarnimi nagradami ter širjenjem govoric dosegli, da je bil Elagabal maja 218 oklican za cesarja, Makrin pa usmrčen.

Elagabal je v Rim prispel jeseni 219 skupaj z Elagabalovim kultnim kamnom. Ker je med vladanjem kršil rimsko versko tradicijo in spolne tabuje ter na javne položaje nastavljal neprimerne kandidate (npr. frizerja), se je rimska javnost pričela upirati. 221 pod pritiskom sorodnikov posinovil in s tem določil za naslednika svojega bratranca Aleksandra Severa, vendar ga je kasneje skušal odstraniti. Marca 222 mu je vojska odrekla pokorščino in ga umorila. Nasledil ga je Aleksander Sever.

Hierocles (Greek: Ἱεροκλῆς, late 2nd century – 222 AD) was a favourite and lover of the Roman Emperor Elagabalus.

Most of the descriptions of his life are given by Cassius Dio and the Historia Augusta. Hierocles was from Caria in Anatolia, and was at some point enslaved, later becoming a charioteer in the service of Elagabalus. Initially, he was a lover and student of another charioteer named Gordius.

Elagabalus was said to have been captivated by the blond and youthful Hierocles when the athlete fell in front of him during a chariot race. The Emperor made him his lover and husband and, as a consequence, Hierocles was alleged to have gained significant political influence, allegedly having more power than the emperor himself.

Additionally, Hierocles' mother, a slave, was promoted to be equal among wives of ex-consuls. Hierocles is said to have drugged the athlete Aurelius Zoticus with a drug that "abated the other's manly prowess." After Zoticus was unable to secure an erection, Elagabalus had him exiled from Rome. This later saved the athlete's life as he was not executed with the members of the court in 222.

After Elagabalus granted Hierocles his freedom, he wanted Hierocles to be declared caesar, against the opposition of his grandmother, Julia Maesa. Allegedly, Elagabalus' partiality towards Hierocles, coupled with his eccentricities, such as delighting in being physically reprimanded by him, were the principal reasons he lost the support of the Praetorian Guard, which led to his death.

Elagabalus, when threatened with death by the Praetorian Guard, reported to have said, "Grant me this one man, whatever you may have been pleased to suspect about him, or else slay me," in regards to Hierocles. This postponed his assassination to 222 AD, after which Hierocles and many other members of the emperor's court, including Elagabalus's mother Julia Soaemias, were also killed.

Aurelius Zoticus (Greek: Αύρήλιος Ζωτικός; active c. 219 – 221) was a cubicularius and famous male lover of the young Roman emperor Elagabalus.

His story is known in two versions, one told by Cassius Dio and one contained in the later Historia Augusta.