Elagabalium Temple

On the northeastern corner of the Palatine Hill in Rome stood the Elagabalium, a temple complex. Originally constructed as a platform under Domitian, it gained notoriety under Emperor Elagabalus as the center of a controversial sun cult.

The origins of the Elagabalium date back to the time of Domitian (81–96 AD), when a platform, possibly for the worship of Jupiter, was erected on the Palatine. Under Emperor Elagabalus, who reigned from 218 to 222 AD, the structure was expanded and dedicated to the Syrian god El-Gabal, who was worshipped as “Deus Sol Invictus”.