06-23-2009, 06:38 PM
Quote:If we compare Elagabalus with his sucessor Severus Alexander the contrast cannot be more striking. ... Why is one looked upon as a monster while the other as mildly positive?That's the image the sources intend to convey, especially the Historia Augusta. The facts must have been different. Cassius Dio, who was twice consul (the second time with the emperor!) writes that he does not know enough about the reign of the "good" Severus Alexander (80.1), implausibly arguing that he was away from Rome. He rapidly concludes his Roman History when he reaches the reign he knows best and about which he could obtain most information. I think there is no better evidence that the goodness of Alexander is exaggerated.
Cf. the "good" Drusus versus the "bad" Tiberius; or Suetonius hagiography of Titus compared to his black-as-ink portrait of Domitian.
