19. Elagabus, Emperor (204 � 222 AD)


Elagabus was made Emperor of Rome at the age of only 14, after successful political maneuvering by his maternal aunt. During his reign as Emperor, he preferred women�s dress. He had his whole body depilated, wore makeup, and referred to his chariot driver Hierocles as his husband. He even made an offer of money to any doctor who could perform surgery on him to make him biologically female.
None of this exactly made him popular in the highly traditional Rome of the time. His popularity also wasn�t helped by the fact that Elagabus married a priestess who�d been sworn to virginity, and instituted controversial sun-worshiping religious practices. He was assassinated in 222, at the age of only 18.