Severus Alexander

Severus Alexander (222-235 CE) was the youngest Roman Emperor to accede to the throne at the age of 13 years old.
His assassination began a fifty year period of civil wars known as the Crisis of the Third Century.

1. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

NAME:
- Marcus Julius Gessius Bassianus Alexianus
SEVERUS ALEXANDER’S DATES OF REIGN AS EMPEROR:
- 11 March 222 CE to c. 19 March 235 CE.
DYNASTY:
- Severan Dynasty
SEVERUS ALEXANDER’S DATE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
- Born: 1 October 208 CE. Died: 19 March 235 CE. Aged 26.
PLACE OF BIRTH AND DEATH:
- Born: Arca Ceasarea, Syria. Died: Moguntiacum, Germania Superior.
SEVERUS ALEXANDER’S PREDECESSOR:
- Elagabalus
SEVERUS ALEXANDER’S SUCCESSOR:
- Maximinus Thrax, beginning the Year of the Six Emperors
HEIR TO THE THRONE BECAUSE:
- His influential Grandmother Julia Maena, had Severus Alexander made co-Emperor before having her other Grandson Elagabalus assassinated. Severus was aged 13.
DIED PEACEFULLY OR ASSASSINATED:
- He was assassinated by the Legio XXII Primigenia, when they mutinied in Mainz.
WHERE BURIED:
- The Senate declared a Damnatio Memoriae, but this was later reversed.
SEVERUS ALEXANDER WAS FAMOUS BECAUSE:
- He was the youngest Roman Emperor to succeed at 13 years old, until the accession of Gordian III.

On 11th march 222 CE, his influential Grandmother, Julia Maena, had Severus Alexander made co-Emperor before having her other Grandson Elagabalus assassinated. He was aged 13, and the youngest Roman emperor until Gordian III.
On the 19th march 235 CE, Severus Alexander was assassinated by the Legio XXII Primigenia, when they mutinied in Mainz.
The end of his reign marked the beginning of the Crisis of the Third Century, a 50 year period of civil wars. It marked the rise of the Soldier Emperors. From now on, successful candidates had to be admired as soldiers by the Roman Army to succeed.