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b'Synopsis:\\xa0 Deception, good fortune, and Macrinus\\u2019 failings allow the Severans to retake the Roman throne. \\xa0As Emperor, Elagabalus makes plans to install the black stone of Elah Gabal in the Capital.\\n\\u201c(Elagabalus and Severus Alexander) were priests of the sun god, whom their countrymen worship under the Phoenician name Elagabalus.\\xa0 A huge temple was erected to this god, lavishly decorated with gold, silver, and costly gems.\\xa0 Not only is this god worshipped by the natives, but all the neighboring rulers and kings send generous and expensive gifts to him each year.\\xa0 No statue made by man in the likeness of the god stands in the temple, as in Greek and Roman temples.\\xa0 The temple does, however, contain a huge black stone with a pointed end and round base in the shape of a cone.\\xa0 The Phoenicians solemnly maintain that this stone came down from Zeus; pointing out certain small figures in relief, they assert that it is an unwrought image of the sun, for naturally that is what they wish to see.\\u201d \\u2013 Herodian, History of the Roman Empire from the Death of Marcus Aurelius to the Accession off Gordian III, Book V, Chapter III\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices'