Series: Empire - Alejandro Severo
Reference: RIC IV Severo Alejandro 125

Gens and monetary:Severos - Alejandro Severo
Year and mint:From 235 AD to 235 AD - Rome
Obverse:Bust to the right of Alexander Severus, laureate and draped. IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG
Reverse:Sun, irradiated, naked except cloak over left shoulder, walking to the left, holding whip in left hand. PM TR P XIIII COS III PP

Grade:FDC- 3.4 g - 4h
Origin:Burgan Numismatique 2024

Comment:
Severa Dynasty: The Severa dynasty, founded by Septimius Severus, maintained its power in Rome for several generations, consolidating a government with strong military support. Alexander Severus was the nephew of Heliogabalus and was proclaimed emperor after his assassination in 222 AD. His mother, Julia Mamea, played a crucial role in his government, influencing political decisions and maintaining control over the court. The Severa family was characterized by its focus on the centralization of power and the use of religion as a legitimation tool.
Alexander Severus was emperor from 222 to 235 AD, and his rule was marked by attempts to reform the army and revitalize the Empire’s economy. Although he strove to maintain peace with the senators and avoid internal conflict, his reign was complicated by tensions on the Empire’s borders, especially on the Germanic front. His conciliatory approach and lack of military success eroded the support of the legions, culminating in his assassination in 235 AD, marking the end of the Severan dynasty.
The year 235 AD It was the last of the reign of Alexander Severus, a period characterized by military conflicts on the northern border of the Empire, where Germanic tribes represented a growing threat. Discontent in the army over Alexander’s conciliatory policies led to his downfall. The death of Alexander Severus at the hands of his own troops marked the beginning of the crisis of the 3rd century, a time of instability and frequent changes of emperors.
On the obverse, the laureate and draped bust of Alexander Severus presents him as a legitimate and pious ruler, with the laurel symbolizing victory and imperial authority. The reverse shows the irradiated Sun god, a powerful symbol of light, life and victory. Naked except for the cloak over his shoulder, the Sun marches to the left with a whip in his hand, reinforcing his divine character and his role as guide and protector of the Empire.