21. The Real Housewife of Rome

What better way to celebrate the New Year than with a new episode
of History is Gay? This time, Gretchen and Leigh dive into the
brief, controversial, and totally extra reign of Emperor
Elagabalus of Rome. Or rather, Empress Elagabalus! Whether it be
marrying multiple wives and one husband, revolutionizing the
Roman religion, installing women as senators, throwing parties
with sex workers, or enjoying the attention of well-endowed men,
Elagabalus was as unconventional as they come. And chances are,
she may very well have been a trans woman.


Outline


0:00 – Introduction
4:23 – Main Topic: Elagabalus
8:40 – Socio-Historical and Religious Context
13:31 – Fun Segment: Word of the Week
22:47 – Elagabal and Roman Religion
29:39 – Who were they? Bio Time
54:48 – Why do we think they're gay?
1:08:30 – Analysis from Queer Historians
1:09:49 – Fun Segment: Pop Culture Tie-In
1:12:45 – How Gay were They?
1:17:10 – Closing and Where to Find us Online


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