<em>The Roses of Heliogabalus</em>, Lawrence Alma-Tadema
One of the disgusting ideas of Emperor Elagabalus was to marry a Greek slave, Hierocles. Officially, their relationship did not have legal force, because the ancient Romans did not envisage the institution of homosexual marriage.
Hierocles became the emperor’s favourite when he fell from his chariot in front of the Imperial Lodge during the Games, and his helmet slipped off his head, revealing the face of the coachman.
The teenage emperor was to be delighted with his beautiful blonde hair and he immediately ordered him to be brought to the palace, bestowing his favours. The emperor was supposed to say then: “I’m proud to be called wife, mistress, queen of Hierocles”.
Sources
- Krawczuk Aleksander, Poczet cesarzy rzymskich, Warszawa 2004
