Elagabalus (or Heliogabalus) (AD 204–222)

Roman emperor from 218. His original name was Varius Avitus Bassianus, but was named Elagabalus after the Sun god Elah-Gabal (the Greek Helios), whose priest he became while still a child. Owing to the intrigues of his grandmother Julia Maesa, he was proclaimed emperor 218 and his position was secured when the emperor Macrinus was assassinated.

Elagabalus appears to have been deranged, and devoted his reign almost solely to the promulgation of his own worship.