Hierocles (charioteer)

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

Most of the descriptions of his life are given by Cassius Dio as well as Historia Augusta. Hierocles was from Caria in Anatolia, and was at some point enslaved and later became 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 consequently, Hierocles gained significant political influence. His mother, still a slave, was promoted to be equal among wives of ex-consuls. Hierocles banished the Emperor's other lover, Zoticus, and inflicted physical violence upon Elagabalus when the latter was unfaithful.[2]

After Elagabalus granted Hierocles his freedom, he wished to have Hierocles declared Caesar, against the opposition by his grandmother Julia Maesa. Elagabalus' partiality towards Hierocles, along with his eccentricities, was the main reason that he lost the Praetorian Guard's favor, which led to his death. Hierocles was executed, along with other members of Elagabalus's court, when the Emperor fell from power in 222, and was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard.[3]