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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 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 well preserved denarius struck very early in his reign (223 AD). very early in his reign. The obverse features the laureate head of young Alexander encircled by the inscription IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG. Notable from this inscription is the observation that, like his forebears Caracalla and Elagabalus, Alexander also included Marcus Aurelius in his name, perhaps an effort to strengthen his legitimacy and maintaining the troops’ loyalty. Also of note from the inscription is that Alexander is bestowed the title of imperator, although it is not clear whether he had any military experience at the time. Turning to the reverse side of the coin, the central figure is the goddess Providentia standing left, one hand bearing a sceptre, and the other hand holding a wand that points to a globe at her feet. The imagery here is meant to provide confidence that, even though very young, the new Emperor will successfully lead the realm by collaborating with the divine personification of the ability to foresee and make provision.
While Providentia’s influence remains unknown, Alexander certainly had his mother Julia Mamaea constantly at his side. Matronly counsel was a boon at first, contributing 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 the barbarians into subservience. 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 troop’s 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 descend into the chaotic Period known as the Crisis of the Third Century.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Severus Alexander, AR Denarius (3.39 g), Rome, Struck 223 AD, NGC Grade: MS★, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Laureate and draped bust right, IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, Reverse: Providentia standing left, holding wand over globe and long sceptre, PROVIDENTIA AVG, References: RIC 173; RSC 498; BMCRE 138.
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