A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

the wife of the emperor Elagabalus, whom he married after divorcing his former wife, Paula. This marriage gave great offence at Rome, since Aquilia was a vestal virgin; but Elagabalus said that he had contracted it in order that divine children might be born from himself, the pontifex maximus, and a vestal virgin. Dio Cassius says, that he did not live with her long; but that after marrying three others successively, he again returned to her. It appears from coins that he could not have married her before A. D. 221. (D. C. 79.9; Herodian. 5.6; Eckhel, vii. p. 259.)