Elagabalus Denarius (218-222 AD)

Elagabalus Denarius (218-222 AD) - Controversy and the “Horned” Sacrificial Denarius

The reign of Elagabalus remains one of the most theatrical, scandalous, and visually distinctive in the history of the Roman Empire. Known for his youthful audacity, religious experimentation, and unconventional behavior, Elagabalus left a tangible legacy not only in historical accounts but also in the silver coinage that circulated across the empire. Among these, a remarkable AR denarius depicting the emperor performing a sacrifice, with a rare “horned” portrait, provides a fascinating lens into his imperial ideology, religious priorities, and the artistry of Severan coinage.

Rise to Power and Imperial Identity

Born in AD 203 into the Severan dynasty, Elagabalus (born Varius Avitus Bassianus) ascended the throne at the age of 14, following the death of his cousin, Emperor Caracalla. His grandmother, Julia Maesa, orchestrated his elevation, presenting him as the legitimate Severan heir to stabilize the imperial succession. Elagabalus’s reign (AD 218–222) was marked by extravagant ceremonies, religious innovation, and attempts to centralize his personal deity, the Syrian sun-god El-Gabal, within Roman state religion. His youthful audacity and unorthodox behaviors shocked the Roman elite but also inspired a coinage program rich in religious symbolism and imperial propaganda.

The Coin: AR Denarius with Sacrificial “Horned” Portrait

Among the rarer and more striking issues of Elagabalus’s reign is the AR denarius depicting the emperor in the act of sacrifice, featuring a “horned” portrait a feature interpreted as either a ceremonial crown, divine symbolism, or an eccentric artistic choice reflecting his religious zeal. Struck in Rome during AD 218–222, this coin is a compelling example of Severan numismatic innovation.

Obverse:

  • Features a forward-facing bust of Elagabalus, an unusual choice in Roman coinage, suggesting direct engagement with the viewer.
  • The emperor is depicted with small horns or a radiate crown, likely symbolizing divine favor or his association with El-Gabal, signaling quasi-divine status.
  • Draped in ceremonial attire, he exudes both youthful authority and solemnity.
  • Legend: IMP CAES M AV ELAGABAL AVG, affirming imperial and sacred titles.
  • The portrait balances realism with symbolic exaggeration, presenting Elagabalus as both human ruler and sacred intermediary.

Reverse

  • Depicts Elagabalus performing a sacrifice at an altar, a central ritual in Roman religious life.
  • He holds a patera in one hand and a scepter or lituus in the other, with flames atop the altar emphasizing the act of offering.
  • The legend often reads SACRIFICIVM, explicitly tying the coin to religious ceremony.
  • The composition reinforces the emperor’s dual role as priest and ruler, merging personal devotion with state authority.

Artistry and Political Messaging

This denarius is remarkable not only for its unusual portraiture but also for its sophisticated layering of political, religious, and dynastic messaging:

  • Divine Association: The horns, whether symbolic of the sun-god or ceremonial costume, visually link the emperor to divine authority, reinforcing his role as both priest and ruler.
  • Religious Integration: By depicting himself in ritual acts, Elagabalus communicates the fusion of his Syrian sun-god with Roman religious practice, emphasizing imperial piety and sacred sanction.
  • Imperial Authority: The coin projects the emperor’s dominance, presenting a figure who is both youthful and commanding, blending human and divine qualities.

The artistry balances classical realism with symbolic exaggeration, particularly in the unusual forward-facing and horned portrait, a bold departure from traditional Severan numismatic conventions.

Legacy of the AR Denarius

Though Elagabalus’s reign was brief, coins such as this sacrificial denarius endure as striking historical and artistic documents. They capture the controversy, religious innovation, and theatricality of the young emperor’s court, offering a window into his attempt to redefine imperial authority and sacred ritual. The “horned” portrait, in particular, stands as a singular visual statement, reflecting the fusion of personal ambition, divine aspiration, and Severan propaganda. Today, the coin is prized by collectors and scholars alike not merely for its rarity, but for its ability to convey the bold, unconventional, and deeply symbolic character of a Roman emperor whose life and reign were as extraordinary as they were short. As with his wives’ coinage, the denarius of Elagabalus demonstrates how numismatic art in the Roman Empire served as a medium for communicating power, ideology, and divine favor, immortalizing moments of history in silver for generations to come.

Back to blog