Coin Roman Empire Elagabalus - Denarius, Sol - 220 Rome

Obverse: IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG

Reverse: P M TR P - III COS III P P

The reverse depicts Sol, the solar deity, shown radiate and nude, walking to the left, a cloak draped over his left shoulder, his right hand raised in a gesture of greeting or blessing, and holding a whip in his left hand. This solar iconography is closely linked to the religious policy of Elagabalus.

Elagabalus, born Varius Avitus Bassianus, ascended to the throne at the age of fourteen in 218, carried to power by the legions of Syria. As high priest of the solar god Elagabal at Emesa, he set out to impose this Eastern cult as the supreme religion of the Empire, placing his deity above Jupiter himself. The assimilation of Sol to the Emesenian deity is directly reflected in the coin issues of the year 220, a period during which the influence of Eastern elites on the Roman court was at its peak. This religious propaganda, combined with behaviour deemed scandalous by the senatorial aristocracy, provoked growing hostility in Rome. In 222, Elagabalus was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard.