Sol Invictus

The Syrian sun god Elagabalus (Ilāh hag-Gabal) who was introduced in Rome by Varius Avitus Bassianus, who became emperor in 218 CE. The god's temple, called Eliogabalium, stood on the Palatine Hill, close to the imperial palace and was dedicated in 221 CE. Bassianus furthermore proposed to transfer all the principal cults of Rome to this temple. The temple survived the emperor's death for some time, but was afterwards destroyed by fire, presumably before the date of the Notitia, in which the temple is not mentioned.

Iconography

The temple, and a capital representing the stone that embodied the god, were depicted on coins.

References

Sources

  • Historia Augusta: The Life of Elagabalus, i, 3.4, 17.8.
  • Cassius Dio, lxxix, 11.
  • Herodian, v, 5.7.