Severus Alexander was born as (Gessius) Julius Bassianus Alexianus on Oct 1 in 208 CE in Arca, Caesarea (Phoenicia; CIL, vol. I, 255, 274; Hdn. 5.7.4; Aur. Vict. Lib. Caes. 24.1; SHA Alex. 1.2) as a member of the Severan dynasty. His parents were the procurator Gessius Marcianus and Julia Avita Mammaea, the niece of Septimius Severus and Julia Domna (SHA Alex. 1.2; Dio. Hist. rom. 78.30.3). He was a cousin of Elagabal, who was Roman emperor between 218 and 222 CE. Because of his cruelty and eccentric behavior, however,…