Elagabalus, Rome mint, 221 AD.,
Denarius (18-20 mm / 3,17 g),
Obv.: IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG , laureate, and draped bust of Elagabal right with short beard and small horn above forehead.
Rev.: INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG , Elagabalus standing facing, wearing gown of an oriental priest, Syrian priestly robe with long sleeves and a big decorative buckle before his stomach, head turned l., holding club in his l. hand, sacrificing over altar out of patera in his r. hand, behind altar, bull reclining l.; in l. field, star.
RIC 88 ; Coh. 61 ; RSC 61 ; BMC 212 .
Interesting political-religious propaganda type, emphasizing the role of the young emperor as high priest of the new main cult: The star, which was introduced on Elagabalus' coins at the beginning of 220, represented the sun, a symbol of his sun god.
The reverse refers to Elagabalus' role as priest. His religious fanaticism was a primary cause of his downfall. Elagabalus' name is a Latinized form of the Semitic deity El-Gabal, a manifestation of the Semitic deity Ä’l. He replaced Jupiter, head of the Roman pantheon, with a new god, Deus Sol Invictus, which in Latin means "the Sun, God Unconquered". Elagabalus forced leading members of Rome's government to participate in religious rites celebrating Sol invictus which he personally led.
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