Roman portrait of Alexander Severus

Roman portrait of Alexander Severus, also known as Alexianus Bassianus, who was the last emperor of the Severan line. On the throne of Rome, he succeeded his cousin Elagabalus, who died as a result of a conspiracy. The reign of Alexander Severus marks a new period in the history of Rome – a crisis of the third century – almost 50 years of civil wars, invasions and economic collapse. He was murdered by his own rebel soldiers in 235 CE.

The sculpture is on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

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Septimius Severus Wars of second triumvirate Great Roman civil war Alexander Severus Agrippina the Younger