Bronze Coin – Sestertius - Ancient Rome, c. 222-235 AD.
Ruler: Severus Alexander.
Obv: Bust of Severus Alexander, right.
Rev: Athena standing left, helmeted & with spear & shield
Mint: Philomelium (Phrygia)
(Sear GI3339 - Scarce!). 31mm, 21.72gm.
Severus Alexander was Roman Emperor from 222 to 235, the last emperor of the Severan dynasty. Alexander was the heir apparent to his cousin Elagabalus, the eighteen-year-old Emperor who was murdered along with his mother by his own guards. He and his cousin were both grandsons of the influential and powerful Julia Maesa, who had earlier arranged for Elagabalus' acclamation as emperor by the famed Third Gallic Legion.
Alexander's grandmother Julia Maesa believed Alexander had more potential to rule and get support from the Praetorian Guard than her other grandson who had become increasingly unpopular. She had Elagabalus adopt the young Alexander and then arranged for Elagabalus' assassination, securing the throne for Alexander. Severus Alexander became emperor when he was around 14 years old, making him the youngest Roman emperor until Gordian III.
As emperor, Alexander's peace time reign was prosperous. He attempted to bring peace by engaging in diplomacy and bribery. This alienated many in the Roman Army and led to a conspiracy to assassinate and replace him. Not only did this undermine his authority, but his mother's influence was the cause of Alexander's least popular actions, convincing him not to take part in battle and trying to buy off the warring Germanic barbarians. Alexander was assassinated together with his mother in a mutiny of the Legio XXII Primigenia at Mainz, while at a meeting with his generals in March, 235. Alexander is remembered as an emperor who was "level headed, well meaning, and conscientious," but his fatal flaw was his domination by his grandmother Julia Maesa and mother Julia Mamaea.
