BI Silver Tetradrachm - Ancient Rome, c. 218-222 AD
Ruler: Elagabalus
Obv: Laureate and draped bust of Ruler, right
Rev: Imperial Eagle standing, facing with spread wings
Mint: Antioch
Legends in Greek
Colonial Issue
Prieur 249, 27mm, 15.62 gm
Elagabalus was born around the year 203 to Sextus Varius Marcellus and Julia Soaemias Bassiana. His father was initially a member of the equestrian class, but was later elevated to the rank of senator. His grandmother Julia Maesa was the widow of the consul Gaius Julius Avitus Alexianus, the sister of Julia Domna, and the sister-in-law of the emperor Septimius Severus. He had at least one sibling: an unnamed elder brother.
His mother, Julia Soaemias, was a cousin of the Roman emperor Caracalla. Other relatives included his aunt Julia Avita Mamaea and uncle Marcus Julius Gessius Marcianus and among their children, their son Alexander Severus. Elagabalus's family held hereditary rights to the priesthood of the sun god Elagabal, of whom Elagabalus was the high priest at Emesa (modern Homs) in Syria.
