Alexander Severus

Alexander Severus was emperor of Rome from 222 - 235 A.D succeeding Elagabalus, his cousin, who had been assassinated by the Praetorian guard. As the adopted son of the former boy emperor, he assumed the throne. Similar to the last emperor, he was young being about 14 years of age and actual rule was by his mother, Mamaea.[1] She established a regency committee of senators and used the advice of the jurists Paulus and Ulpian. The new rule was an attempt to continue in the tradition of the Antonine monarchy. Alexander Severus' rule was marked by an extension of governmental control over the trade guilds and further depreciation of the roman coinage.

Alexander Severus personally led a Roman army into Mesopotamia and Armenia (231 - 233) to repel an invasion by Ardashir I, found of the new Sassanid Empire of Persia. Furthermore, new Alemanni barbarian incursions across the upper Rhine river brought Alexander to Gaul and Germany where he combined a successful military campaign with astute diplomacy. During his campaign, he was murdered (235) by a group of military conspirators led by the tribune Maximinus, who would also become the next emperor.[2]

## References[edit]

1. ↑ An Encyclopedia of World History, Kingsport Press, 1948
2. ↑ Encyclopedia of Military History, Dupuy & Dupuy, 1979