Severus Alexander

• 1. The Boy Emperor's Rise

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  On the 13th of March 222, the Roman army hailed a thirteen-year-old boy as emperor. This young man was Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander, grandson of Julia Maesa. His grandmother had orchestrated a political coup to place him on the throne after his cousin Elagabalus was murdered. The guards who killed Elagabalus cast both bodies into the Tiber river as a mark of contempt. Maesa believed her other grandson lacked potential and arranged for Elagagalus to adopt Alexander. The Senate ratified this decision the following day, conferring titles like Augustus and Pontifex maximus upon the child. Herodian noted that Elagabalus and Alexander were about fourteen and ten years old respectively in May 218. Cassius Dio claimed Alexianus was the son of Gessius Marcianus, though Icks disputes this timeline. The future emperor bore two cognomina: Bassianus according to Dio, and Alexianus according to Herodian. "Alexianus" was likely later converted to Alexander. He became the youngest sole emperor of the united Roman Empire at age thirteen.

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• 2. Reforms And Monetary Policy

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  Alexander employed jurists such as Ulpian to oversee justice administration during his reign. A select board of sixteen senators may have been created under family influence, though some scholars dispute Herodian's view. He established a municipal council of fourteen members to assist the urban prefect. Excessive luxury diminished at court while he restored the Baths of Nero around 227 or 229. These baths are sometimes known as the Baths of Alexander after him. He extended imperial residence on the Esquiline Hill with elaborate buildings. The Nymphaeum of Alexander still stands today in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. Upon accession, silver purity of the denarius dropped from 46.5% to 43%. Actual silver weight fell from 1.41 grams to 1.30 grams. In 229, he revalued the coin, raising purity to 45% and weight to 1.46 grams. The following year, base metal decreased while silver increased again to 50.5% and 1.50 grams. Taxes were lightened and loan offices instituted for moderate interest rates. He allowed a synagogue to be built in Rome and gifted it the Severus Scroll.

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• 3. The Persian Campaigns

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  In 231 AD, Ardashir invaded Roman provinces overrunning Mesopotamia. He penetrated possibly as far as Syria and Cappadocia. This forced young Alexander into a vigorous response against the Sassanid Empire. Herodian described humiliating setbacks suffered by Roman armies during this conflict. Alexander's own dispatch claimed great victories though sources vary widely. He organized a three-fold invasion in 233 making Antioch his base. One army advanced through Armenian mountains while another moved toward Babylon. The southern force was surrounded and destroyed by Ardashir's horse-archers. Alexander retreated after an indecisive campaign with his army wracked by disease. Further losses occurred when retreating northern troops faced inclement cold in Armenia. Failure to establish adequate supply lines caused additional casualties. Still, Mesopotamia was retaken and Ardashir could not extend conquests further. His son Shapur would obtain success later in the century. A mutiny erupted in the Syrian legion in 232 proclaiming Taurinus emperor. Taurinus drowned attempting to flee across the Euphrates river.

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• 4. Germanic Wars And Discipline

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  Barbarians crossed the Rhine and Danube in hordes during 234 causing alarm throughout Rome. Soldiers serving under Alexander were already demoralized after their costly Persian war. Their homes had been destroyed by invading tribesmen. The emperor took the front line hoping mere threat of armies would persuade hostile tribes to surrender. Severus enforced strict military discipline that sparked rebellion among legions. Heavy losses against Persia combined with mother's advice led him to buy Germanic tribes off for time. Legionaries looked down upon this decision considering it dishonorable. They feared he was unfit to be Emperor due to these actions. Gaius Julius Verus Maximinus emerged as next best option from Thrace. He rose from peasant background with superior personal strength. Thracian soldiers hailed him as emperor ending the Severan Dynasty. This path paved way for assassination of both Alexander and his mother Julia Mamaea. Herodian stated the emperor appeared no soldier completely dominated by mother's advice.

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• 5. The Mutiny At Mainz

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  Alexander faced Germanic enemies in early months of 235 at Moguntiacum. Situation had settled when he arrived so mother convinced him bribery was sensible course. Insubordination from men combined with this tactic destroyed reputation and popularity. A mutiny of Legio XXII Primigenia occurred while meeting with generals. Many troops joined attack initiated by a Germanic servant entering open tent after lunch. Attendants fought but could not hold off combined might seeking assassination. Within minutes Alexander was dead along with his mother Julia Mamaea. Historia Augusta documents two theories elaborating on this homicide. First claims disaffection of Mamaea was main motive behind murder. Lampridius supports alternative theory more strongly. Soldiers compared him to cousin Elagabalus whose own assassination paved way for Alexander's reign. Body traditionally believed buried together with mother in mausoleum called Monte del Grano. Large sarcophagus found inside tomb in sixteenth century now in Palazzo dei Conservatori Museum. This has been disputed as groundless today.

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• 6. Legacy Of The Crisis Era

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  Death marked end of Severan dynasty and first emperor overthrown by military discontent on wide scale. Economic policies completely discarded after death while Roman currency devalued. This signaled beginning of chaotic period known as Crisis of Third Century bringing empire brink collapse. Emperors increasingly expected display general competence in military affairs following his death. Maximinus able to overthrow Alexander by harping on own military excellence contrasted to feeble cowardry. Legions arrogated power to dethrone their emperor paving way half-century widespread chaos instability. Alexander deified after death of Maximinus in 238. Perhaps most tangible legacy emerged in sixteenth century cameo glass Portland Vase dated around Augustus reign. Allegedly found at mausoleum of emperor family at Monte Del Grano. Discovery described by Pietro Santi Bartoli who indicated vase contained ashes of Severus Alexander. No definitive proof exists it was found at Alexander's sarcophagus. Interpretations scenes depicted source many disputed theories. Vase passed through hands Sir William Hamilton Ambassador Royal Court Naples sold Duchess Portland 1784. Attack disturbed man British Museum 1845 smashed fragments reconstructed three times. Josiah Wedgwood copied black Jasperware pottery for firm Wedgwood adding drapery cover nudity.

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