Diadu'imenia'nus
or DIADUMENUS, M. OPE'LIUS, the son of M. Opelius Macrinus and Nonia Celsa, was born on the 19th of September, A. D. 208. When his father was elevated to the purple, after the murder of Caracalla on the 8th of March, A. D. 217, Diadumenianus received the titles of
Caesar, Princeps Juventutis, Antoninus, and eventually of
Imperator and
Augustus also. Upon the victory of Elagabalus, he was sent to the charge of Artabanus, the Parthian king, but was betrayed and put to death about the same time with Macrinus.
This child is celebrated on account of his surpassing beauty by Lampridius, who declares, that he shone resplendent like a heavenly star, and was beloved by all who looked upon him on account of his surpassing grace and comeliness. From his maternal grandfather he inherited the name of Diadumenus, which upon his quasi-adoption into the family of the Antonines was changed into Diadumenianus. (
D. C. 78.4,
17,
19,
34,
38-
40; Herodian. 5.9; Lamprid.
Diadumen.; Capitolin.
Macrin. 10.)
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W.R]
