Featured Is Elagabalus Really Wearing a Desiccated Bull Phallus on his Head?

Cassius Dio was a contemporary of Elagabalus and a member of the Senate during his reign. He had a combination of first hand experience and access to direct witnesses for the times and people he discusses. I think that makes him a “primary source” for such parts of his account, at least by the strict definition of the term. Whether or not he is trustworthy as a primary source is another question entirely. The same is possibly true of Herodian but less is known about his background.

I do agree that all historical works (both ancient and modern) should be read with an understanding that they are written from the perspective of their authors and should be evaluated carefully by the reader.

 

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I totally agree with the theory that the penis is part of the cult religion. One should take the time to assess which coins have the bull at the base of the alter and when Elagabalus is depicted with the penis.
The are also a few reverses that show elagabalus sacrificing and he is wearing a bull-faced mask. With that I don't feel it is much of a stretch to assume that Elagabalus is becoming the bull during the sacrifice. Just my thoughts.
As for the small section shown on the portraits we might want to assume the full stretched bull penis is part of the laurel wreath with the tip protruding.

 

If Elagabalus is attempting to become his god..then we need to look at the god. In this case it is fairly safe to say that he worshipped a Men/Mithra combo god who was possibly sexless.

 

It seems like the "bull member" is only seen on imperial coins, which is sort of odd considering that the provinces would, I would imagine, be more akin to be open to heterodox religions.


I don't see anything out of the ordinary in this Antiochan issue.

 

As many here I voted for the second option, since the illustrations from the german publication fit very well to that theory. A great and informative thread @Curtisimo (as usual should I add)

My only Elagabalus denarius is hornless



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