Severus Alexander:
Emperor of Rome
Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander, or as he was simply known Severus Alexander, was the emperor of Rome for a respectable thirteen years beginning in the year 222 AD until 235 AD.
This feat was all the more remarkable given the state of turmoil that characterised Roman politics at that time, when it was not unusual for a ruler to be in power for less than a year. Elagabalus himself, who was Alexander's predecessor only stayed in power for a period of four years.
Alexander was born on October 1st, 208 AD to Marcus Julius Gessius Marcianus who was a Syrian Promagistrate by designation and Julia Avita Mamaea, who not only was Julia Maesa's second daughter by her marriage to Syrian nobleman Julius Avitus, but the maternal aunt of Emperor Elagabalus as well.
Alexander had a sister named Theoclia although very little factual information about her survives to this day. Alexander had other notable members in his immediate family, his great-aunt on his mother's side of the family, Julia Maesa's younger sister, was the empress Julia Domna.
He was also related by marriage to Emperor Lucius Septimius Severus, who by virtue of the said union became his great-uncle. Additionally, he had two more distinguished members in his family, two of the emperors of Rome namely, Caracalla and Publius Septimius Geta, who were in fact related to his mother being her cousins on her mother's side.
In the year 221 AD, Alexander's grandmother Julia Maesa prevailed upon the emperor to adopt Alexander thereby ensuring his ascent to the throne in the future. With the corresponding title of Caesar bestowed upon him, Bassianus then changed his name to Alexander.
The murder of Elagabalus the following year would bring about Alexander's final climb into power and by shortly after March of that same year, he would finally be proclaimed by emperor the Praetorian Guard, with the full support of the senate.
It seemed to many observers of the times that Alexander was quite indecisive as an emperor. This was of course largely due to his young age. While he was good-hearted and well meaning in his policies he tended to be heavily influenced by his mother, Julia Mamaea.
While this was not entirely a bad thing, Mamaea for example made certain that her son benefited from the counsel of many wise and just men of her own choosing, she was also quite a jealous person and looked on the army with a healthy degree of suspicion. The soldiers for their part were resistant to the mother and son's attempts to control them and this acrimony between the two parties resulted in frequent rebellions and mutinies that Alexander was ill equipped to take care of.
Generally however, Rome under the reign of Alexander enjoyed a period of renewed prosperity until the Sassanids rose up in arms. Reports vary wildly as to the outcome of this conflict, but according to Alexander's reports to the Roman senate, his armies prevailed.
A later mutiny, this time meant to instill Maximinus as emperor, resulted in the death of both Alexander and his mother. He died on March 18th, 235 AD.
Original Authors: Doods Pangburn
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 22/07/2008
