the Fourth Week of Advent
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!
Bible Encyclopedias
Heliogabalus (Elagabalus)
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or Heliogabalus (Elagabalus)
emperor of Rome, was born at Emesa about A.D. 205. His name was Varus Avitus Bassianus, but he was made priest of Elagabalus (El-Gabal), the Syro-Phoenician Sun-god, about A.D. 217, and took that name. In May, 218, through the intrigues of his mother, Julia Maesa, with the soldiery, he was proclaimed emperor; and, soon after, Macrinus, who was marching to put down this usurpation, was defeated. His reign, which lasted not quite four years, was characterized by superstition, licentiousness, and cruelty to a degree hardly rivaled by the worst Roman emperors. He introduced the worship of the Sun god into Rome, and even passed a decree that no other celestial power should be worshipped. The praetorians slew him in camp, A.D. 222. As he himself introduced a new religion into Rome, it was not his policy to persecute, and so, during that time, the Christians had "rest."
These files are public domain.
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Heliogabalus (Elagabalus)'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/h/heliogabalus-elagabalus.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
