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Born of Severan lineage in a temple dedicated to Alexander the Great, Severus Alexander (208–235 AD) became Roman Emperor when he was only thirteen years old. He thus set a new imperial record, narrowly besting his recently murdered cousin, Elagabalus. It was a tumultuous period for Rome, and the nerve-wracked Empire looked to Alexander to improve financial and political stability. As it turned out, under the strict supervision of his mother, Augusta Julia Mamaea, Alexander indeed lived up to eponymous expectations – at least for a while.
Well tutored, Alexander was initially regarded as a wise and effective leader. Under Alexander’s governance, taxes were decreased, and loan interest regulated to reasonable rates. Alexander also made several adjustments to the silver content and purity of the denarius, according to the fiscal climate. Alexander dispelled with his predecessor Elagabalus’ frivolities, preferring to don a simple white robe and associate with others equally; he refused to adopt “the Great.” Distancing himself from the prior regime's religious upheavals, Alexander was highly tolerant of all religions, including Zoroastrianism, Christianity and Judaism. He even had his personal motto inscribed in his palace and various public buildings: "Do unto others as thou wouldst have them do unto thee."
Alexander's reign brought Rome a period of increased economic stability, if not prosperity. Appropriately, a rich legacy of Alexander's coinage survives, including this spectacular gem mint state denarius struck in Rome sometime between 228-231 AD. The obverse features the laureate bust of the Emperor in his early twenties (at least old enough to sport a full beard) and his epithet IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG. The verso features a seated female figure, holding two military standards, encircled by the inscription FIDES MILITVM. The figure is Fides, the Roman goddess of trust and good faith. Clearly, the coin was meant to advertise, or at least promote, trust and faith between the Emperor and Rome's military forces.
As it happened, Rome’s forces lost their faith in Alexander. It did not help that military was relatively frugal over this period, probably on the advice of Augusta Mamaea. Initially, Mamaea’s counsel contributed to Rome's prosperity and domestic achievements. Over time, however, Alexander's close association with his mother probably was a major contributing factor in his troops' growing discontent and insubordination. Heeding his mother's advice, Alexander tried to rally his troops against the Empire's enemies. Successes were limited and losses were considerable.
In early 235 AD, Alexander took his mother's advice to try bribing his way to peace with barbarians, in particular the Alemanni, who were invading along the Empire’s norther border. From the Emperor's perspective, bribing the barbarians was practical and conserved his troops’ strength, facilitating their redeployment to the remote eastern borders to deal with the increasing threat of the Sasanian Empire. From the troops’ perspective, however, the thought of their Emperor bowing to his mother’s counsel to bribe barbarians was embarrassing. Furthermore, the Rhine legions were mostly local recruits and unwilling to re-deploy. Consequently, mutinous soldiers took the matter into their own hands and murdered Alexander and his mother Mamaea.
Alexander’s ignominious end marked the end of the Severan-Emesan dynasty. Even so, his reign was notable for its relative prosperity and duration of thirteen years, the longest since Antoninus Pius. After Alexander and his policies were eliminated, the Empire completed its descent into the chaotic period known as the Crisis of the Third Century.
Coin details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Severus Alexander (222-235 AD), AR Denarius (3.30 g), Struck in Rome 228-231 AD, NGC Grade: Gem MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Head of Severus Alexander, laureate, right, IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG, Reverse: Fides, draped, seated left, holding two standards, FIDES MILITVM, References: RIC 193a; C 51; BMC 684.
Image: Sony ɑ 7R Ⅴ camera / Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS lens.