Roman Imperial
Severus Alexander (222-235), Denarius 232, Rome mint
Obverse: laureate bust right
IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG
Reverse: Jupiter standing front, head to right, holding thunderbolt in his right hand and eagle in his left
IOVI PROPVGNATORI
Diameter 20 mm, weight 3.77 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.
