Emperor Elagabalus of Roman Empire Referred to with She/Her Pronouns in North Herefordshire Museum

The North Herefordshire Museum has made an important announcement regarding the way they refer to emperor Elagabalus. The museum has decided to use she/her pronouns when talking about Elagabalus and will describe the Roman ruler as a woman. This change comes after classical texts revealed that Elagabalus once said, “call me not Lord, for I am a Lady.” Kevin Hoskins, a spokesperson for the museum, stated that it is important to be respectful and sensitive to identifying pronouns of people from the past.

Currently, the museum has one coin of Elagabalus on display, along with other LGBTQ+ items in their collection. To ensure that their displays, publicity, and talks are inclusive and up-to-date, the museum consulted with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall.

Emperor Elagabalus, also known as Marcus Aurelius Antonius, ruled the Roman empire from 218AD to 222AD until she was assassinated at the young age of 18. Elagabalus was known for frequently wearing wigs and makeup and preferred to be called ‘domina’ (lady) instead of ‘dominus’ (lord). There are even accounts that she offered large sums of money to any physician who could provide her with a vagina.

The museum spokesperson, Hoskins, emphasized that Elagabalus had explicitly identified as a woman and had specified which pronouns to use. This demonstrates that pronouns are not a new concept. In the past, inaccurate translations referred to Elagabalus as ‘they’ due to the lack of gender distinction in classical Greek language. However, Dio’s texts confirmed that the emperor “definitely preferred the ‘she’ pronoun,” and the museum respects and reflects this in their work.

This announcement by the North Herefordshire Museum coincides with the recent publication of new guidance on trans-inclusive practices in museums, galleries, archives, and heritage sites by the University of Leicester’s Research Centre for Museums and Galleries (RCMG). This guidance has been widely welcomed by trans rights advocates, highlighting the importance of recognizing and respecting gender identities in historical contexts.

As Stonewall has previously stated, “Trans people have always been here,” and it is crucial for museums and other cultural institutions to reflect this diversity and inclusivity in their presentations and discussions.