Museum In UK Reassigns Roman Emperor To Be Trans Woman

Artistic interpretation of Emperor Elagabalus, generated on AI

The North Hertfordshire Museum in the UK has reclassified the Roman Emperor Elagabalus as a transgender woman. The decision is based on classical texts, including a statement attributed to Elagabalus: “Call me not Lord, for I am a Lady.” 

In hopes of being sensitive and respectful to identifying pronouns for people in the past, the museum—which has a silver denarius coin of Elagabalus and displays it among other LGBTQ+ items—says it intends to use pronouns that the individual in question might have used themselves or whatever pronoun is deemed appropriate in retrospect. As a result, it has decided to refer to Elagabalus using she/her pronouns.

Elagabalus, who ruled from 218 to 222 AD, was a controversial figure in Roman history. The emperor was known for marrying multiple partners, both men and women, and for behaviors considered unconventional at the time, like cross-dressing.

Historical records suggest that Elagabalus referred to herself using female pronouns and titles such as “wife, mistress, and queen.” Of particular note were texts published by Cassius Dio, a Roman historian and senator, who wrote that Elagabalus had told a lover, “Call me not a Lord, for I am a Lady.” The emperor also reportedly expressed a desire for a surgical procedure to receive female genitalia.

Front and back of a Roman silver denarius coin depicting Emperor Elagabalus. Photo 201718749 © Wirestock | Dreamstime.com

Elagabalus took the throne at the age of 14 and was assassinated at 18, ending her short reign.

However, there is debate among experts regarding the interpretation of her gender identity in these records. Some caution that Roman historians, who were often hostile towards Elagabalus, might have used descriptions of effeminate behavior as insults to diminish the credibility of her rule.

Some argue that descriptions of Elagabalus wearing makeup, wigs, and removing body hair, as well as being referred to with female pronouns, might have been intended to criticize and undermine the emperor. Others, like Keith Hoskins of North Herts Council, emphasize the importance of being sensitive and respectful to pronoun preferences, even for historical figures.

Hoskins explains in a statement that, just as it’s right to be polite and to respect the identities of peers today, the museum is careful to be “sensitive to identifying pronouns” for historical figures. That Elagabalus explicitly stated which pronouns to call her by proves pronouns “are not a new thing,” he elaborates.

It’s important to note that concepts of gender and sexuality in ancient Rome weren’t always in line with contemporary understandings, which makes interpreting them more complex.

Historically, Elagabalus was referred to using “they” pronouns, possibly due to a classical Greek translation that makes no distinction between genders in the third person. However, the museum now uses “she” pronouns based on evidence of Elagabalus’s preference.

[via Artnet News, Time, BBC, The Art Newspaper, images via various sources]