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Elagabalus (203-222 BCE) became Roman emperor at the mere age of 14, ruling for four infamous years. What trick did he used to play on guests at his parties?

Answer: When they were drunk and asleep Elagabalus would let lions, leopards and bears into their bedrooms. British historian Edward Gibbon (1737-1794) once declared that his reign’s “inexpressible infamy surpasses that of any other age or country.”

Source: The Crimes of Elagabalus – The Life and Legacy of Rome’s Decadent Boy Emperor by Martijn Icks

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1908 – King Carlos I of Portugal and his heir, Prince Luis Filipe are assassinated by Republican sympathizers in Lisbon.

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“In Russia a man is a called reactionary if he objects to having his property stolen and his wife and children murdered.”

Winston Churchill (1874-1965), British statesman

Source: The Wicket Wit of Winston Churchill by Dominique Enright

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HistoryWow’s Featured Historical Figure of Note

Marcus Porcius Cato (234-149BCE)

Roman statesman, soldier and writer of virtue, simplicity and wisdom. He condemned the luxury of his time and was nicknamed “the censor”. He became Consul in 195BCE, took part in the defeat of Hannibal at Zama, held command in Sardinia and Spain, and in 191 BCE assisted the Greeks in overthrowing Antiochus III at Thermopolyae.

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