1.2.2.3.4 Severus Alexander

Macrinus & Elagabalus

Severus Alexander

M. Aurelius Severus Alexander
Emperor 222-235
Relatives depicted on coins:
Orbiana - wife;
Julia Mamaea - mother

Bassianus Alexianus (b. ca. 208) was adopted as Caesar in 221 by Elagabalus, taking the name Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander, and within a year was Emperor. Controlled by his mother and grandmother, he was then placed under tutelage of a senatorial council. Alexander was personally virtuous but indecisive, lacked leadership ability and took no measures to win over the legions, so his reign was marked by military unrest and insubordination. After campaigning unsuccessfully against Persia, he took up arms against the Germans and crossed the Rhine, seeking a negotiations rather than battle. This may have been good policy, but such unsoldierly behavior alienated the legions and Maximinus, a giant of legendary exploits who had risen from the ranks, organized his overthrow.

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*GI3269 1268 Severus Alexander: AE 27 of Marcianopolis $70.00** Obv. Laur. bust r. Rev. Concordia stg. l. 8.76 g Sear 3269v; Pick 1011 rev. o/c, oth. nVF	*GI3385 2546 Severus Alexander: Billon 22 Tetradrachm $115.00** Obv. Laur. bust r. Rev. Eagle stg. r., hd. turned l. 14.82 g Sear 3385v; Emmett 3100(12); Milne 3128 nice VF
R2215 0087 Severus Alexander: AR 20 Denarius $75.00 Obv. IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG Laur. & dr. bust r. Rev. MARS VLTOR Mars adv. r. 2.90 g Sear 2215; RIC 246 slight rev. weakness, otherwise EF	*R2229 0083 Severus Alexander: AR 19 Denarius $100.00** Obv. IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG Laur. hd. r. Rev. P M TR P VIIII COS III PP Sol stg. facing 2.95 g Sear 2229v; RIC 102 EF
R2235 3396 Severus Alexander: AR 20 Denarius $225.00 Obv. IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG Laur.bust r. Rev. SPES PVBLICA Spes adv. l. 3.22 g Sear 2235; RIC 254 superb toned EF