Severus Alexander was the last emperor of the Severan dynasty. He was the heir apparent to his cousin Elagabalus, the eighteen-year-old Emperor. He and his cousin were both grandsons of the influential and powerful Julia Maesa, who had earlier arranged for Elagabalus' acclamation as emperor by the famed Third Gallic Legion. Alexander's grandmother Julia Maesa believed Alexander had more potential to rule and get support from the Praetorian Guard than her other grandson who had become increasingly unpopular. She had Elagabalus adopt the young Alexander and then arranged for Elagabalus' assassination, securing the throne for Alexander. Severus Alexander became emperor when he was around 14 years old, making him the youngest Roman emperor until Gordian III.
As emperor, he attempted to bring peace by engaging in diplomacy and bribery. This alienated many in the Roman Army and led to a conspiracy to assassinate and replace him. Alexander was assassinated together with his mother in a mutiny, while at a meeting with his generals in March, 235. He is remembered as an emperor who was "level headed, well meaning, and conscientious," but his fatal flaw was his domination by his grandmother Julia Maesa and mother Julia Mamaea.
