Abstract
Focusing on the Life of Heliogabalus in the so-called Historia Augusta or Imperial History, an anonymous late fourth century CE work, the chapter argues that beautiful rulers who cross dressed with abandon were part of late Roman imperial masculinity and its representation. This was so because the Christian emperor Theodosius was very aware of same-gender or homoerotic attraction as unifying force, which he also employed to strengthen the rule of his sons, made full co-rulers as children. However, as the highly satirical Life of Heliogabalus makes clear, gorgeous, soft young emperors had to maintain and make visible specific power relations. If they could not demonstrate that they controlled their generals rather than the other way round, the power of homoerotic attraction could backfire.
Published Version
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