Hierocles (charioteer)

Hierocles (late 2nd century – 222 AD) was reputedly a favorite and lover of the Roman emperor Elagabalus. He was from Caria and was at some point enslaved and later became a charioteer in the service of Elagabalus. Elagabalus considered the blond Hierocles to be his husband and is credited with saying:

"[I am] delighted to be called the mistress, the wife, the Queen of Hierocles"[1]

After Elagabalus granted Hierocles his freedom he unsuccessfully tried to have Hierocles declared Caesar, which would have made him the emperor's successor. Hierocles was executed, along with other members of Elagabalus' court, when the emperor fell from power in disgrace in 222.

References

  1. ↑ "Homosexuality in Greece and Rome: A Sourcebook of Basic Documents - Google Books". Books.google.com. Retrieved 2014-07-13.
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