Born as Gessius Bassianus Alexianus

Adopted as Marcus Aurelius Alexander

Better known as Severus Alexander

Born as Gessius Bassianus Alexianus on October 1, 208 at Arca Caesarea in Phoenicia (modern Acco in Palestine)

Raised in Syria

Hereditary priest to sun god Baal

Tutored under careful watch of his mother Mamaea and grandmother Maesa  

Ulpius Julianus kills a sister of Severus Alexander and her husband in 218.

Appointed Caesar by Elagabalus on July 10, 221 (possibly June 14-30) 

Designated Consul with Elagabalus on July 1, 221

Elagabalus fears Severus Alexander taking over and plots against him

Dec 22, 221, 1st plot against Severus Alexander by Elagabalus leads to riot of troops

March 12, 222, final plot and riot of troops against Elagabalus

Elagabalus excesses lead to his murder and Severus Alexander becomes emperor on March 13, 222

Grandmother and Mother strongly influence Severus Alexander and some believe run the empire. 

Severus Alexander puts through reforms and tax cuts on June 25, 222

Spring 223 Riot between soldiers and people

Death of grandmother Maesa in end of 223 or in 224

Married in 225 to Gnaea Seia Herennia Sallustia Orba Barbia Orbiana

Father-in-law Senator Sallustius Macrinus given title of Caesar

Severus Alexander creates Council of Sixteen in Senate and restores some power to Senate

Severus Alexander passes measures to appoint talented people into key positions and heavily punish corruption

Possible plot by father-in-law to turn the praetorian guards against Severus Alexander and put himself in power.

Divorced in 227 at mothers insistence.

Father-in-law executed and wife banished to North Africa for treason.

Praetorians grow dissatisfied with Severus Alexander and in 228 riot.  Troops dislike Maesa's power and policies.

Discipline diminishes in 229 and Severus Alexander advises Cassius Dio to spend consulship away from Rome

Persians (Parthians) overrun Roman Province of Mesopotamia

Severus Alexander leaves Rome Spring of 231 to collect troops.  Arrives in Antioch summer.

Assault on Persians (Parthians) in 232 by Severus Alexander

Indecisive results of battles leads to more morale problems with troops

Severus Alexander returns to Rome

Germans attack the Rhine area

Severus Alexander musters troops along Rhineland frontier 234

Maximinus, a Thracian commander, is named emperor by some troops.  Severus Alexander and mother murdered at camp on March 12 or 13, 235 at Vicus Britannicus, on the Rhine (current Bretzenheim near Mainz, Germany).   He was possibly buried in Rome.

Defied by the Senate in 238.

Denomination

Average Weight (gm)

  Coliseum (The Flavian Amphitheatre)

	Struck by lighting on August 23, 217 AD.
	Work to restore it done by Elagabulus.  Finished by Severus Alexander in 223 AD.
	Representations of Coliseum on Denarius (33), Sesterii & Asses (410, 411)

Temple of Jupiter Ultor

	Temple was hexastyle and enshrined seated figure of Jupiter
	Legends typically IOVI VLTORI
	Representations of Temple include Denarius (146) or Sesterii and Asses (412, 413)

The Nymphaeum of Alexander (Thermae)  

	Highly ornate two story building with statues
	There is a debate over whether the coins represent the Nymphaeum, Thermae, or both
	Representations include 58,59, 449-451, 453

Proclamation as Caesar in 221 AD (Den. 3,As 386 ; Ses. 383)  

Accession to the throne (Augustus) in 222 AD (Aur. 16,147,149,150, Den. 17,148; Ses. 564, 566; Dup. 565)

Funeral and consecration of Julia Maesa in 225 AD (Den. 377-379, Ses. 712-714)

Departs for the Persian War in 231 AD (Den. 210, As 595, Ses. 544, 596, 640)

Victory and Triumph in Persian War (Au. 121, 217, 260, Den. 218-219,261, Ses. 505, 533,534, 616, 654, As 410, 506, 617)    

Cassius Dio Cocceianus (Dio)  - regarded by some as the best primary source on Severus Alexander.   Unfortunately only 1000 words of his work, spanning the first six years of Alexander's rule, survived the ages.  

Herodian - provides an extensive record of the reign but some considered not to be very reliable.  Other consider it to the only complete account.

Marius Maximus - his writing were lost but are later referenced in the work, Historia Augusta (considered by many to be a collection of sensationalized scandal mongering). The section "The Life of Severus Alexander" was supposedly written by Lampridius.   The entire work's authenticity has been debated for some time.  It is now believed by many that the entire work was written or rewritten by one author around the year 395 AD. 

VAGI

David Vagi

The Coinage and History of the Roman Empire

VM

David Van Meter

The Handbook of Roman Imperial Coins

Robert L. Cleve, PhD.