Alexander Severus

History, Facts and Information about Alexander Severus
The content of this article provides interesting history, facts and information about the Emperor Alexander Severus and the all-powerful Caesars who ruled the empire of Ancient Rome. The word "Caesar" was originally the name of the famous aristocratic patrician family of ancient Rome and became synonymous with the Roman Emperors. Refer to the comprehensive List of Roman Emperors for the names of the most famous Romans, their dynasties and the historic eras of all the Roman Emperors and usurpers. Read about the life of Alexander Severus who can be described or remembered by his words:

 "The emperor who revoked all former edicts against the Christians"

Short Biography about the life of Alexander Severus
Short Biography profile and facts about one of the most famous Romans of all, in the life of Alexander Severus, Emperor of Rome and provinces of the Roman Empire.

• Name commonly known as: Alexander Severus

• Latin Roman Name: Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander

• Reigned as Roman Emperor / Caesar: March 10, 222 - 19 March, 235

• Dynasty / Historical Period: Severan

• Place and Date of Birth: Alexander Severus was born October 1, 208 in Syria

• Name of previous Emperor: His predecessor or the Emperor before Alexander Severus was Elagabalus

• Family connections / Genealogy

  • Name of Father: Marcus Julius Gessius Marcianus

  • Name of Mother: Julia Mamaea

  • Married: Sallustia Orbiana

  • Children: None

• Place and Date of Death: Alexander Severus died March 19, 235 (age 26) at Moguntiacum, the precursor to Mainz in Germany

• Name of next Emperor:  The successor to Alexander Severus was Maximinus Thrax

Interesting facts about the life of Alexander Severus
Obtain a fast overview of the times of the Roman Emperor Alexander Severus from the following facts and information about his life. Why was Alexander Severus famous? Accomplishments, achievements and important events. The sexual excesses together with enforced changes in the Roman religion led to the downfall of the previous emperor, Elagabalus. Alexander Severus was the cousin of Elagabalus who had shown himself to be  amiable, virtuous, and learned was named as the next emperor. Alexander Severus seems to have been inclined toward the Christian faith, which was now very widely extended throughout the Roman empire. Alexander Severus revoked all former edicts against the Christians, and ordered the words "Do unto others as you would have them do to you" to be inscribed upon his palaces and other buildings.

Alexander Severus - The Persian War and War with Gaul
The Persian Empire was now arising in new strength under the house of the Sassanides, and a war having broken out with them, Alexander Severus  marched against the Persians, and gained a considerable victory. He returned to Rome in triumph, and entered the city in a chariot drawn by four elephants. Soon after, the Germans having invaded Gaul, Alexander Severus led his army to the defence of the frontier but caused considerable anger in the Gallic legions by trying to buy the German tribes off. Alexander Severus was assassinated by a band of discontented soldiers and Maximin (aka Maximinus Thrax), a Thracian peasant of great personal strength, who had risen to a high command in the army, was raised to the throne.

Alexander Severus - The End of the Severan Dynasty & the Crisis of the Third Century
The Severan Dynasty, begun by Septimius Severus, included Caracalla, Geta, Macrinus, Diadumenian (son of Macrinus), Elagabalus and Alexander Severus. The assassination of Alexander Severus ended the Severan Dynasty marked the end of Pax Romana (Roman peace) and ended the practice of choosing heirs based on ability rather than lineage or civil war. His assassination also sparked the era of Military Anarchy commonly known as 'The Crisis of the Third Century'.

Alexander Severus
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Alexander Severus