The Roman Emperor Was a Transgender Woman, Says the British Museum, And They Are Changing the Exhibition's Name

A museum in North Hertfordshire, UK, will use the pronouns "she" and "her" regarding the ancient Roman emperor Elagabalus.

This was reported by the BBC.

These changes are related to the fact that in classical texts that have survived since the time of the Roman Empire, it is mentioned that Emperor Elagabalus once said, "Do not call me Lord, for I am a Lady."

The museum stated that it consulted with the LGBTQ+ charity organization Stonewall to ensure that the exhibition, promotional campaign, and all dialogues "are as up-to-date and inclusive as possible." According to a museum representative, it was "only polite and respectful to be sensitive to identifying pronouns for people in the past."

It is worth noting that Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (not to be confused with another Roman emperor known philosopher Marcus Aurelius) ruled the Roman Empire for only four years, from 218 to his assassination at the age of eighteen in 222. During his short reign, he became a rather controversial figure and gained a reputation for being sexually indulgent.

For example, Cassius Dio, a senator and contemporary of the young emperor, in his historical chronicles notes that Elagabalus was married five times - four times to women and once to Hierocles, a former slave and chariot driver. According to Dio, in the last marriage, the emperor "was bestowed in marriage and was termed wife, mistress and queen."

The discussion about the gender orientation of the Roman emperor has been going on for several years and often divides researchers into two camps.

"The historians we use to try and understand the life of Elagabalus are extremely hostile towards him, and therefore cannot be taken at face value. We don't have any direct evidence from Elagabalus himself of his own words," noted Dr. Shushma Malik, a Cambridge university classics professor, in a comment to the BBC.

Additionally, the professor notes that there are enough examples in Roman literature where female language and words are used as a tool for criticizing or weakening a political figure. Therefore, there is no final determination regarding the orientation or gender of the Roman emperor.