Alla ricerca di nuovi piaceri. La luxuria nell'Historia Augusta

The theme of luxuria is present in almost all the lives of the Historia Augusta. The emphasis given to the luxuria in the life of Elagabalus in chapters 19-33 is especially impressive, partly during his private life, partly when he was emperor. The construction of the prince-tyrant makes use of a vast repertoire of topical motifs, also of Suetonian derivation (but not only), in which the religious nature of the exotic practices imported by him almost plays a secondary role. The anecdotes concern several fields, in particular that of the table – the banquets are deprived of the ceremonial context and the rituals folded into farce and caricature – and the clothes; and there are many precious materials, such as silver, gold, pearls (for seasoning fish and truffles) and gems, also worn on shoes. The sumptuousness of the decorations is expressed in the use of a flooring with red porphyry and Greek green porphyry, the plateae in the area of the Palace, i.e. large courts called Antoninianae, a hint of the spaces of luxury which in other cases remain more indeterminate (triclinia, porticus, domus regia); more precise references to places are in the story of the events in chapters 13-17, generally considered, but not unanimously, more worthy. The contribution, while paying particular attention to the life of Elagabalus and Gallienus, intends to examine what are the main themes of the luxuria in the entire collection.