Severus Alexander

Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander (1 October 208 AD – March 235 AD), also known as Alexander Severus, was Roman emperor from 222 until 235 AD. He was the last emperor from the Severan dynasty and, at the age of 13, became the youngest sole emperor of the united Roman Empire. Alexander became emperor at age 13, succeeding his slain cousin, Emperor Elagabalus as his heir. Alexander and Elagabalus were both grandsons of Julia Maesa, the sister of the empress Julia Domna, who had arranged for Elagabalus's acclamation as emperor by the Third Gallic Legion. Elagabalus had been murdered along with his mother Julia Soaemias by his own guards, who, as a mark of contempt, had the two bodies cast into the Tiber river. Alexander's 13-year reign was the longest reign of a sole emperor since Antoninus Pius and in peace proved prosperous. However, Rome faced military threats from the rising power of the Sassanid Empire, as well as growing incursions from the tribes of Germania. Alexander managed to check the threat of the Sassanids, but attempted to bring peace by engaging in diplomacy and bribery when campaigning against Germanic tribes. This policy alienated many in the Roman army, leading to a conspiracy that resulted in the assassination of Alexander, along with his mother Julia Avita Mamaea and his advisors. Being succeeded by Maximinus Thrax, Alexander's death constituted the epoch event for the Crisis of the Third Century, bringing in its wake nearly fifty years of civil war, foreign invasion, and the collapse of the monetary economy. Because of his mother, he was nicknamed Mamaeas (Μαμαίας). He was also referenced in Hebrew sources as Aseverus, son of Antonius.