64. Alexander Severus—Marcus Aurelius. Roman Emperor, A.D. 222-235.
[Born at Arce, in Phœnicia, A.D. 205-208. Died in Gaul, A.D. 235.]
Elected Emperor on the death of Elagabalus, in A.D. 222. His reign was marked by a gradual improvement in religion, morality, and politics. In A.D. 232, he drove the Persians under Artaxerxes, in defeat across the Tigris. He was about to advance against the Germans, then ravaging Gaul, when he was murdered, together with his mother Julia Mamæa, by a band of mutinous soldiers, instigated by the ferocious Maximinus, who seized the crown. His life was simple and pure; his government considerate and just. His death caused general regret.
[From the marble in the Capitoline Museum at Rome.]
65. Heliogabalus or Elagabalus—Varius Avitus Bassianus. Roman Emperor, A.D. 218-222.
[Born at Antioch, A.D. 204. Assassinated A.D. 222. Aged 18.]
From his earliest years a priest of the Sun in the Temple of Emesa, in Syria: but by the intrigues of his grandmother, Julia Mæsa, declared Emperor of Rome, in place of Macrinus, whom he defeated in battle, and put to death. Elagabalus—so called from his sun-worship—the priest taking the name of the God—introduced into Rome the superstitions in which he had been nurtured. By way of strengthening his power, his grandmother induced him to associate with himself, in the government, his cousin Alexander Severus. Repenting of this act, he was about to undo it, when a revolt of the Prætorians decided the question of rule by assassinating him and throwing his body into the Tiber. A more worthless carcase had never floated down the polluted river. His vices were as gross as his superstitions. He left behind him a smirched and hated name.
[All Busts of him were ordered to be destroyed by the Senate: they are consequently rare. This is from the Capitoline Museum at Rome.]
66. Gallienus—Publius Licinius Valerianus. Roman Emperor, A.D. 253-268.
[Born A.D. 218. Died before Milan, A.D. 268. Aged 50.]