bpv_540608 - SEVERUS ALEXANDER Tétradrachme

ALEXANDRE SEVERE

(10/05/221-22/03/235) Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander

August (13/03/222-22/02/235)

Alexander Severus, whose real name Gessius Alexianus Bassianus, was born in 208 at Caesarea Phoenicia. He is the son of Julia and Mamee Gessius Marcianus, a Syrian-born procurator. It is also the grand-son of Julia Maesa, sister of Julia Domna, wife of Septimius Severus, mother of Caracalla and Geta. He was adopted by his cousin Elagabalus 10 May 221. When the latter was assassinated on March 13 222, it was Alexander Severus, who was chosen to succeed him. It remains under the influence of her mother until the end of his reign. Ulpian was appointed prefect of the praetorium, but it will unfortunately killed by soldiers in 223. In 225 he married Orbiane soon to be relegated. From 231, the borders of the Empire are threatened. It is primarily an expedition against the new Sassanid monarch Ardashir which ended in a truce in 233, the emperor to visit the Rhine limes that the Germans crossed. The emperor and his mother were murdered in 235.