Æ30 - Elagabalus Α ΕΦΕϹΙΩΝ Δ ΝΕΩΚΟΡΩΝ

Ephesus held the title of neokoros — temple warden — four times by the reign of Elagabalus, an accumulation earned through decades of political maneuvering with successive emperors. The Δ ΝΕΩΚΟΡΩΝ legend advertises that fourth grant explicitly, a piece of civic pride the city broadcast on bronze issues precisely because such honors were periodically contested or revoked by Rome. Elagabalus himself confirmed or reaffirmed several Asian city privileges early in his reign, likely as part of consolidating eastern support after his proclamation at Raphaneae in 218.