Roman denarius of Emperor Severus Alexander, minted between 222 and 235 AD. Obverse shows the laureate portrait of the emperor with the inscription IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG. Reverse depicts Mars, the god of war, as bringer of peace (MARTI PACIFERO), standing with spear and branch. Severus Alexander (208–235 AD) was the last emperor of the Severan dynasty. Ascending the throne at just 13 years old, he was heavily influenced by his mother, Julia Mamaea. He sought stability and preferred diplomacy over conflict, especially with Germanic tribes. However, this policy displeased the army, and in 235 AD he was assassinated by his own soldiers — an event that triggered the “Crisis of the Third Century.”