Synopsis: Elagabalus spearheads a religious revolution in Rome, but his unpopular rule drives Julia Maesa to enact a back-up plan.
“To this temple, as to the common center of religious worship, the Imperial fanatic attempted to remove the Ancilia, the Palladium, and all the sacred pledges of the faith of Numa. A crowd of inferior deities attended in various stations the majesty of the god of Emesa; but his court was still imperfect, till a female of distinguished rank was admitted to his bed. Pallas had been first chosen for his consort; but as it was dreaded lest her warlike terrors might affront the soft delicacy of a Syrian deity, the Moon, adorned by the Africans under the name of Astarte, was deemed a more suitable companion for the Sun.” – Edward Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume 1, Chapter 6
References and Further Reading:
I can recommend 'The Black Stone' from Nigel Brown's detective series 'Agent of Rome', though it's set a little later, during the reign of Aurelius.
Thanks for the reco, I'll check it out! Good hearing from you, hope things are well. Take care – Scott C.
I'm only just catching up, topnotch stuff as ever Scott, thanks – Morten 🙂
Thanks Morten! Always good to hear from you, and I hope things are well. I'm still in love with the TAW-Bloodine theme music, thanks again! Take care, Scott