Emperor Alexander Severus: Rome's Age of Insurrection, AD 222–235

Alexander Severus' reign was marked by contradictions and controversy. He ascended to power following the murder of his cousin Elagabalus and was himself assassinated years later. His rule encompassed frequent uprisings, rebellions, court intrigue—including the Praetorian Guard killing their commander before the Emperor—and foreign invasions. Ancient sources, however, characterize his reign as a golden age of just government, prosperity, and religious tolerance. Alexander became emperor before age fourteen and was heavily influenced by his mother, Julia Mammaea, and advisors including the historian Cassius Dio. Militarily, he contained Sassanid Persian aggression, though some sources describe his Persian campaign as costly, marked by mutiny and defeats that damaged the army. In 234, Germanic and Sarmatian tribes crossed the Rhine and Danube frontiers. Alexander led forces against them but attempted to negotiate for time. His soldiers interpreted this as weakness, assassinated him, and elevated the soldier Maximinus Thrax as his successor.