Alexander Severus
| Alexander Severus | |
|---|---|
| Roman Emperor | |
 Denarius of Severus Alexander. | |
| Reign | |
| 11 March 222 - 18 / 19 March 235 (~ 13 years) | |
| Period | Severe |
| Predecessor (s) | Elagabalus |
| Successor (s) | Maximinus I the Thracian |
| Biography | |
| Birth | 1 October 208 Arca Csarea ( Syria ) |
| Original Name | Gessius Bassianus Alexianus |
| Deaths | 18 / 19 March 235 (26) Moguntiacum ( Germany sup. ) |
| Father | Marcus Julius Gessius Marcianus |
| Mother | Mama Julia |
| Spouse (s) | Orbiana ( 225 - 227 ) |
| List of Roman Emperors | |
Severus Alexander Is a Roman emperor who reigned from 222 to 235.
Summary |
Born in 208 at Arca ( Tell Arqa ) in Phoenicia and named Alexianus, he was raised by his grandmother Julia Maesa , sister of Septimius Severus , and his mother Julia Mama , and received a careful education. He is the nephew of the Emperor Caracalla , and succeeded his cousin Elagabalus , who chose him as Caesar in 221. Alexianus took the name of Severus Alexander. Elagabalus then tries to reverse his decision but Julia Maesa leads a revolt of the Praetorian Guard , which cost the life of Elagabalus. Severus Alexander was immediately named Augustus by the Senate. It takes some steps against those of his predecessor, especially in religious matters. Thus, it refers to Emesa the black stone of the solar cult, which was for some Romans an object of indignation.
A fragile power
Ancient sources overwhelm Elagabalus and glorify the new Emperor by adorning it with all the qualities. Only Herodian has reservations: Severus Alexander is sweet and kind but is poor and lack of authority. The new emperor, under the influence of his mother and his grandmother, gives an important role in the Senate whose twelve members would form a "council of regency government or" around the emperor. He surrounded himself with advisers such eminent jurists Ulpian becomes prefect of the Praetorian Guard (Commander of the Imperial Guard) or Papinian , Herennius , Modestinus. He launched a policy of urbanization with the construction of baths that rise on the Champ de Mars , installs peasant-soldiers to protect the borders of duty for their son join the army. The death of Julia Maesa at 223 weakens the emperor because this woman had a strong influence from including many officers. The military, in fact, look rather askance restoring a political system dominated by civilians. A revolt of the Praetorian Guard and cost the lives of Ulpian , who was killed in front of the emperor, and the former governor of Pannonia , the historian Dion Cassius prefer to retire in Bithynia his home province.
In foreign policy, the emperor is faced with the Persians. They have rebuilt their unit in 227 led by King Ardashir I. and loot the Mesopotamia and Cappadocia in 231. The emperor at the head of a large army against the Persians began a campaign that will be only partially successful. It is often confronted with sporadic revolts of his troops who fear his irresolution. Back in Rome in 233 , Emperor gives Persian Games are not sufficient to make him popular. He often criticized the influence of his mother. In 234 , he went to Mainz to repel the Germans , particularly the Alemanni , but was reluctant to fight and prefer to buy peace. He is accused of indolence by the army who murdered his tent and his mother and proclaims one of his emperor, Maximinus. This is the beginning of the period of military anarchy which will last until the reigns of Aurelian and Diocletian.
His face was grown by the Historia Augusta.
The Severan dynasty ends as it began, by a coup. The army, which was its main supporter, is now conscious of its strength: it will play a leading role in the coming period.
Names successive
- 208 , born Gessius Bassianus Alexianus
- 221 , is made by Caesar Heliogabalus: Imperatori Aurelii Marci Antonini Pii Caesaris Augusti Filius Felicis Divi Antonini Pii Magni Nepos Divi Severis Pronepos Marcus Aurelius Alexander
- 222 , accesses the Empire: Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander Pius Felix Augustus
- 235 , Titulature to his death: Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander Pius Felix Augustus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribuniciae potestatis XIV XIV Imperator, Consul III, Pater Patriae
Bibliography
- Herodian , translated by Denis Roques, History of the Roman emperors Marcus Aurelius to Gordian III, Les Belles Lettres, Collection at the Wheel books, Paris, 1990, ( ISBN 2-251-33903-5 )
- Paul Little , General History of the Roman Empire, Seuil, 1974, ( ISBN 2020026775 )
- Zosso Francis and Christian Zingg, The Roman Emperors, Wandering edition, 1995, ( ISBN 2877722260 )
| Preceded by: | According to: | Followed by: |
|---|---|---|
| Elagabalus ( 218 - 222 ) | Alexander Severus ( 222 - 235 ) | The Thracian Maximinus I. ( 235 - 238 ) |
Loading ...