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An innocent exterior masked the degenerate character of Elagabalus, emperor of Rome at the precocious age of 15. Having come from Syria, Elagabalus quickly set about establishing the Phoenician/Syrian god Elagabal and the Phoenician goddess Tanit as the leading deities of Rome. His marriage to a Vestal Virgin reenacted the sacred marriage of the divine couple Ba‘al H|amoµn and Tanit. Elagabalus’ frequent forays to the public baths in search of male lovers and the subsequent promotions of his sexual partners to high political office soon proved ill-advised. A plot headed by his aunt led to his murder after only four years as emperor.