The Badge Archive

Beauty Icon Bio: Elagabalus

Name: Sextus Varius Avitus Bassianus (later Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, commonly known as Elagabalus)
Time Period: 203–222 CE
Region: Roman Empire (born in Emesa, Syria)

Appearance
Elagabalus was known for his youthful beauty and theatrical presentation.

  • Ancient busts depict him with soft features, almond-shaped eyes, and thick, curled hair.
  • He wore makeup, including rouge, eyeliner, and powdered skin, and often styled his hair in feminine waves.
  • He was described as graceful, slender, and expressive, with a preference for elaborate grooming rituals.
  • Some accounts suggest he referred to himself as a woman.

His appearance blurred gender lines and has became a symbol of self-expression and divine embodiment.

Style
Elagabalus’s fashion was luxurious, flamboyant, and deeply symbolic.

  • He wore silk robes embroidered in gold and purple, often with long sleeves and flowing skirts.
  • His accessories included jeweled crowns, heavy earrings, and elaborate makeup.
  • He dressed as a priest of the sun god Elagabal, blending religious and royal iconography.
  • He was known to cross-dress, host costume banquets, and decorate his palace like a temple or brothel.

His style challenged Roman norms and celebrated beauty as performance, ritual, and rebellion.

Reputation
Elagabalus was condemned by Roman historians for his boldness, eccentricity, and defiance of convention.

  • He became emperor at age 14 and was guided by his powerful grandmother Julia Maesa.
  • He married multiple times, including to a Vestal Virgin and reportedly to male partners, and flaunted his relationships publicly.
  • Roman historians accused him of decadence, sexual excess, and religious blasphemy.
  • Modern scholars view him as a gender-nonconforming figure whose image was distorted by political bias.

His reputation reflects both scandal and bravery, making him one of Rome’s most controversial rulers.

Cultural Impact
Elagabalus’s legacy continues to inspire artists, historians, and LGBTQ+ communities.

  • He became a symbol of queer identity, gender fluidity, and resistance to conformity.
  • His story appears in novels, operas, fashion editorials, and academic studies.
  • He influenced discussions on imperial image-making, Orientalism, and gender politics.
  • His life invites reflection on how beauty, power, and identity are shaped by culture and memory.

His cultural impact proves that visibility and self-definition can echo across centuries.

Resources:

Scouts can use these trusted sources to learn more or expand their notes:

  • Britannica – Biography and overview of Elagabalus’s reign, appearance, and legacy.
  • Cambridge University Press – Academic analysis of gender and image in ancient sources.
  • History Cooperative – Explores his rise to power, religious reforms, and personal life.
  • History Skills – Discusses his gender expression, fashion, and scandals.
  • Roman Emperors – Fact vs. fiction analysis of his controversial reign.

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Tia Kennard