Elagabalus or Heliogabalus was the emperor of Rome from 218 to 222. Though his reign was a very short one, he is remembered in history for being one of the most eccentric and vulgar emperors of all time. He was related to the imperial Severan dynasty of Rome through his mother. His mother’s family also served as high priests of the sun deity, Baal or Elah-Gabal, in Syria. Elagabalus inherited the high priesthood. After his cousin, the Roman Emperor, Caracalla’s death; his grandmother Julia Maesa plotted to overthrow the rogue praetorian prefect, Macrinus, and bring the throne back to her family. Using Elagabalus’s resemblance to Caracalla to her advantage, she presented him as the deceased emperor’s illegitimate son. Her attempts were successful, and he became the ruler of the Roman Empire. His four years of reign is marked by instability and debauchery. He showed no interest in ruling his kingdom and no respect for any religion other than his own. His grandmother’s advice to exercise moderation fell on deaf ears because he was too drunk on power. She soon grew tired of his ways and devised a plan to get rid of him. Just like she had successfully planted him on the throne, she effectively removed him from power. He was stabbed to death by his soldiers and thrown into River Tiber while she looked on.