Severus Alexander

Severus Alexander

 in full Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander orig. Gessius Bassianus Alexianus

(born c. AD 209, Phoenicia—died 235, Gaul) Roman emperor (222–235). At age 14 he succeeded Elagabalus, who had been murdered by the Praetorian Guard. Severus's mother and grandmother both held real power during his reign. A council of senators gave nominal ruling power to the Senate. Civil lawlessness reigned, and Severus's military incompetence led to defeat by the Persians, though their heavy losses forced them to withdraw from Mesopotamia. When he bought peace from the invading Germanic Alemanni, his indignant soldiers murdered him and his mother.