Roman Imperial, Severus Alexander, Denarius

Roman Imperial

Severus Alexander (222-235), Denarius 232, Rome mint

Obverse: laureate bust right

IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG

Reverse: Sol standing to left, raising right hand and holding globe

P M TR P XI COS III P P

Weight 3.6 g

Alexander Severus, whose real name is Gessius Bassianus Alexianus, was born in 208 AD in Caesarea, Phenicia. He was the son of Julia Mamea and Gessius Marcianus, a prosecutor of Syrian origin. He was adopted by Elagabal's cousin on May 10, 221 AD. When the latter was murdered on March 13, 222 AD, Alexander Sever was elected his successor. He remained under his mother's influence until the end of his reign. In 225 AD he married Orbiana. The emperor and his mother were murdered in 235 AD.