A museum in the UK has caused controversy by reclassifying the third-century Roman emperor Elagabalus as a trans woman. The decision by the North Hertfordshire Museum to refer to Elagabalus using female pronouns has sparked debate. The museum made this choice based on historical accounts that suggest Elagabalus once stated, “Call me not Lord, for I am a Lady.” These words were written by Cassius Dio, a well-known Roman historian and administrator.
The spokesperson for the museum explained that they believed it was important to use identifying pronouns for people, both in the present and in the past, as a way to be polite and respectful. In their collection, the museum possesses a silver denarius minted during Elagabalus’s reign. This coin has been included in displays with an LGBT theme, and in those exhibits, Elagabalus will be referred to using female pronouns.
Elagabalus was a controversial figure during his short reign, gaining a reputation for sexual promiscuity. He had been married five times, four times to women and once to Hiercoles, a former slave and chariot driver. Cassius Dio, a senator and contemporary of Elagabalus, wrote in his historical chronicles that the emperor was referred to as a wife, mistress, and queen.
The museum’s decision to recognize Elagabalus as a trans woman is seen as a step towards inclusivity. By acknowledging the emperor’s self-identification and using female pronouns, the museum aims to highlight the fact that gender identity and pronouns have always been a part of human history.
