Son of Julia Avita Mamei and Gesius Marcianus . He had two sisters, the older of whom, unknown by name, died in the summer of 218. The younger, Theoctilia, also did not play a historically significant role. Relationships with two subsequent wives - Orbiana, married in August 227, and Memmia, daughter of the consul Sulpicius - left no offspring. He took the name Severus when adopted in 218 by his cousin, the minor emperor Heliogabalus. In 222, Heliogabal, whose excesses of custom and despotic whims made him very unpopular, was assassinated at the instigation of Severus' mother, Julia Mamea. In the same year, Alexander, who already bore the title of Caesar, was recognized as Roman emperor (the last of the Severian dynasty). He was thirteen years old when he officially assumed the reign, and actual rule was in the hands of his mother, Julia Mamei, and grandmother, Julia Mezy, who also played a serious role under his predecessor.
Obverse; Emperor's head to the right, with a radiata crown on his head. In the rim the legend:
M AVΡCEV AΛEZANΔPOC AVΓ
Reverse; Three legionary banners- between them the inscription NI K AI E in the cut off; ΩN.
Weight; 4.07 g Diameter; 19 mm .
