Hierocles (charioteer)

Hierocles (Greek: Ἱεροκλῆς, late 2nd century – 222 AD) was a favourite and lover of the Roman Emperor Elagabalus.

Most of the descriptions of his life are given by Cassius Dio and the Historia Augusta. Hierocles was from Caria in Anatolia, and was at some point enslaved, later becoming a charioteer in the service of Elagabalus. Initially, he was a lover and student of another charioteer named Gordius.[1]

Elagabalus was said to have been captivated by the blond and youthful Hierocles when the athlete fell in front of him during a chariot race. The Emperor made him his lover and husband and, as a consequence, Hierocles was alleged to have gained significant political influence. Seeing as the monarch considered the blond Hierocles to be his husband, Elagabalus is credited with saying:

"[I am] delighted to be called the mistress, the wife, the Queen of Hierocles"

Additionally, Hierocles' mother, a slave, was promoted to be equal among wives of ex-consuls. Hierocles banished the Emperor's other lover, athlete Aurelius Zoticus, and inflicted physical violence upon Elagabalus when the latter was unfaithful.[2]

After Elagabalus granted Hierocles his freedom, he wanted Hierocles to be declared caesar, against the opposition of his grandmother, Julia Maesa. Allegedly, Elagabalus' partiality towards Hierocles, coupled with his eccentricities, were the principal reasons he lost the support of the Praetorian Guard, which led to his death. When the Emperor fell from power in 222, and was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard, Hierocles was executed, along with other members of Elagabalus' court.[3]