Alexander Severus Biography

(Roman Emperor from 222 to 235)

Birthday: October 1, 208 (Libra)

Born In: Arqa, Lebanon

Alexander Severus, also called Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander Augustus, was a Roman Emperor who was the last emperor of the Severan dynasty. He reigned over the Roman Empire from 222 to 235. His reign was marked by civil wars, foreign invasion and collapse of the monetary economy. Ascending the throne when he was just a teenager, the young Alexander was nothing more than a puppet in the hands of his powerful mother who yielded the actual power. The young emperor was just a pawn in the web of political conspiracies his mother and grandmother had woven in order to achieve power. Alexander’s cousin Elagabalus, a teenager himself, had been proclaimed the emperor in 218. Their grandmother persuaded Elagabalus to adopt Alexander in order to make him the heir apparent. Then playing a cruel political trick the grandmother had Elagabalus assassinated in 222 which resulted in the ascension of Alexander Severus as the emperor. Thrust into such a powerful and responsible position so early in his life, Alexander was unable to fulfill his duties in an orderly manner and faltered especially during times of political unrest. His troubled reign came to an end in 235 when he along with his mother was murdered by his own troops.
4
Quick Facts

Also Known As: Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander

Died At Age: 26

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Augusta, Sallustia Orbiana, Sulpicia Memmia

father: Marcus Julius Gessius Marcianus

mother: Julia Mamaea

siblings: Theoclia

Born Country: Lebanon

Emperors & Kings Ancient Roman Men

Died on: March 22, 235

place of death: Mainz, Germany

Cause of Death: Assassination

  • 1

    What were some notable events during the reign of Alexander Severus?

    During his reign, Alexander Severus faced invasions from Germanic tribes, such as the Alamanni and the Sassanid Persians. He also had to deal with internal revolts and economic challenges.
  • 2

    How did Alexander Severus attempt to promote religious tolerance during his rule?

    Alexander Severus tried to promote religious harmony by respecting and supporting various religious beliefs within the Roman Empire, including Christianity, Judaism, and traditional Roman religions.
  • 3

    What military campaigns did Alexander Severus lead during his reign?

    Alexander Severus personally led military campaigns against the Germanic tribes along the Rhine and Danube frontiers. He also campaigned against the Sassanid Persians in the east.
  • 4

    How did Alexander Severus handle the issue of inflation and economic problems during his reign?

    To address economic challenges, Alexander Severus attempted to stabilize the Roman economy by implementing various financial reforms and controlling government spending.
  • 5

    What was the impact of Alexander Severus' reign on the Roman Empire?

    Alexander Severus' reign was marked by attempts to promote religious tolerance, economic reforms, and military campaigns. However, his reign also faced challenges from external invasions and internal revolts, ultimately contributing to the decline of the Roman Empire.
Childhood & Early Life
He was born on 1 October 208 to Marcus Julius Gessius Marcianus, a Syrian Roman Aristrocrat, and Julia Avita Mamaea, a powerful Roman woman. His maternal grandmother was Julia Maesa, a woman who held lofty political ambitions.
From a young age he was trained in literature and military services. Some of his teachers included Valerius Cordus, Titus Veturius, and Aurelius Philippus.
He was a handsome boy who loved to socialize with his friends. He was a very simple person who wore plain white robes and cloaks and was not fond of imperial clothing or gold.
Continue Reading Below
Ascension & Reign
In 218 his cousin, Elagabalus, was made the emperor. At that time Elagabalus was just 14 years old and his grandmother Julia Maesa had played a prominent role in his becoming the emperor.
Julia Maesa used her influence to persuade Elagabalus to adopt the young Alexander and proclaim him as the heir apparent. However, later on Elagabalus changed his mind and rumors were rife that he saw Alexander as a threat and planned to have him eliminated.
In 222 Elagabalus was assassinated by members of the Praetorian Guard in a plot formulated by his own grandmother in order to bring her other grandson to power. Thus Alexander became the emperor, unopposed, at the age of 13.
Since he was too young to rule on his own, he was often guided by his mother and grandmother. In spite of his young age he tried his best to rule in the true interest of his people.
He employed noted jurists for administration of justice and it is claimed that he created a board of 16 senators. He dismissed excessive extravagance at the imperial court and created a municipal council of 14.
He was very open-minded when it came to religious matters and wanted to build a temple for Jesus though he was advised against it. He gave permission for a synagogue to be built in Rome.
He was sympathetic towards the soldiers and enacted many policies for their benefit. The soldiers were given the right to name anyone as heir in their will—a right that civilians at that time did not have.
Even though he successfully ruled during peace time, he lacked the leadership skills to protect his citizens during wars. In 230 and 231, the Sassanid king Ardashir I invaded the Roman province of Mesopotamia.
Alexander’s army lacked the discipline to face such attacks though for the time being he was able to defend his territory. However, there was a mutiny in 232 in which Taurinus was proclaimed emperor. Alexander managed to control the uprising and Taurinus drowned and died as he was trying to escape.
Continue Reading Below
Another enemy attack took place in 234 when the German barbarians crossed the Rhine and Danube and reached the gates of Rome. Alexander’s soldiers who were already disillusioned by their emperor’s incompetence were further enraged at this unexpected attack.
He tried his best to lead his forces in the war against the Germans but he woefully lacked the skills to be a successful general. In a desperate attempt, he tried to buy off the German tribes and this agitated his own soldiers very much. He was now viewed as unfit to be the emperor after this incident and assassinated by his own men.
Personal Life & Legacy
He became the emperor at the tender age of 13 and was thus highly dependent on the guidance of his mother and grandmother and solely on his mother after his grandmother’s death.
He was married thrice. He married Sallustia Orbiana in 225 and divorced her in 227. His second wife was Sulpicia Memmia, a member of an ancient Patrician family in Rome. He also had another wife whose identity is not known. He did not have children with any of his wives.
He had become very unpopular among his own soldiers due to his incompetence especially during the German war. Alexander, along with his mother, was assassinated on 19 March 235. He was the last of the Syrian emperors.
His death resulted in the end of the Severan dynasty.
Facts About Alexander Severus
Alexander Severus was known for his love of philosophy and often consulted with scholars and philosophers for advice on governance.
He had a strong interest in religious tolerance and sought to promote harmony among different religious groups in the Roman Empire.
Alexander Severus was a patron of the arts and supported various cultural initiatives during his reign.
He was one of the few Roman emperors who did not engage in military conquests or aggressive expansionist policies.
Alexander Severus was known for his compassion and generosity towards his subjects, earning him a reputation as a benevolent ruler.

See the events in life of Alexander Severus in Chronological Order

How To Cite

Article Title
- Alexander Severus Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/alexander-severus-3551.php

People Also Viewed

Augustus Biography
Augustus
(Ancient Roman)
 
Otho Biography
Otho
(Ancient Roman)
 
Maximinus Thrax Biography
Maximinus Thrax
(Ancient Roman)
 
Commodus Biography
Commodus
(Ancient Roman)
 
Attila Biography
Attila
(Ancient Roman)
 
Diocletian Biography
Diocletian
(Ancient Roman)
 
Lucius Verus Biography
Lucius Verus
(Ancient Roman)
 
Tiberius Biography
Tiberius
(Ancient Roman)