Published on November 22, 2023, 2:10 am

The North Hertfordshire Museum in the United Kingdom has declared that a renowned Roman emperor was transgender, stating they will henceforth utilize female pronouns when referring to him, as part of a sensitivity initiative. In a significant shift in historical interpretation, Elagabalus, who led the Roman empire from 218-222 AD, is now recognized as female. This change is rooted in the works of contemporary historian Cassius Dio, who recorded that Elagabalus identified as “wife, mistress and queen.”

“In essence, consider me not a Lord, but rather a Lady,” Elagabalus was said to have professed to a male companion. As Keith Hoskins from North Herts Council articulated, “We recognize that Elagabalus self-identified as a woman and made clear her preferred pronouns; this reveals that personal gender pronouns are not a novel concept. We aim to respect these identifiers for individuals throughout history just as we do so presently.”

Nonetheless, there remains controversy over how these historical accounts should be imbued with meaning. Roman society during this era was overtly patriarchal and did not distinguish “gender” independently from biological sex despite it being portrayed fluidly in mythological figures like Hermaphroditus and Tiresius.

Historical records from this time often contain gaps and biases; defamation leveled at unpopular emperors by their adversaries includes allegations of indecent behavior or effeminate traits. Therefore, some experts question whether references to Elagabalus’s habits of wearing makeup and wigs were included simply to discredit him. Dr Shushma Malik at Cambridge University elaborates on numerous instances where such language intended to undermine political figures.

One cannot ignore the turbulent reign of Emperor Elagabalus spanning four tumultuous years after succeeding amidst deep civil strife at the tender age of 14. Widely regarded as one of Rome’s worst emperors before his assassination, Elagabalus’s lived a promiscuous life peppered with stories of numerous marital relationships and affairs. His notable initiatives such as his endorsement of the Syrian sun-god along with unsuccessful religious reform contact died out after his death.

Furthermore, close political ally and historian Cassius Dio, who survived through Elagabulus’s reign presents figures significantly tinged by eruptions of political clashes. His documents on the emperor straddle between descriptions of chaotic sexual behavior and gender ambivalence that throws his credibility into question.

Examining these accounts, one can discover that Dio often portrayed Elagabalus as a usurper, accusing him of several improprieties and advocating for harsh penalties against him. Nevertheless, echoing behaviours can be extrapolated from contemporary global leaders whose similar amplitude of debauchery prompts scholars to re-visit claims formerly disparaged as fantastic.

Despite the exaggeration in Roman historical commentary, allegations around Elagabulus rise to exceptional heights leading researchers to postulate whether he indeed dealt with gender dysphoria – an argument that invites contentious debate among scholars. In conclusion, trusted news platforms aim at bringing real news gleaned from myriad resources while fostering a deeper understanding influenced by Christian worldview precepts such as acknowledging the inherent dignity present within every individual’s unique identity.