Domitius Alexander
Encyclopedia
Lucius Domitius Alexander (died ca. 311), probably born in Phrygia
, was vicarius
of Africa
when Emperor
Maxentius
ordered him to send his son as hostage to Rome
. Alexander refused and proclaimed himself emperor in 308.
The most detailed if somewhat confusing description of the insurrection is given by Zosimos
(II, 12 and 14). He reports that Maxentius sent his portrait to Africa to gain recognition as emperor there. The troops resisted because of their loyalty to Galerius
. Maxentius ordered Domitius Alexander, the governor of the province, to send his son to Rome to secure his loyalty. Alexander refused and was crowned emperor by his army.
The incident was probably caused by the conflict between Maxentius and his father Maximian
early in 308, and Zosimos confused Galerius with Maximian in his account.
Apart from the province of Africa, Domitius Alexander also controlled Sardinia
. At the time of his accession, he was already at an advanced age. There is evidence in an inscription (CIL
viii, 22183) that Alexander and Constantine I
allied themselves in opposition to Maxentius. Salama suggests that, at the latest, the pact was entered into by autumn of 310.
Maxentius sent his praetorian prefect
Rufius Volusianus and a certain Zenas to quell the rebellion, and Alexander was taken prisoner and then executed by strangulation. Apparently, his troops did not offer much resistance. Maxentius retaliated with confiscations of the property of alleged supporters of Alexander. The year of the end of Alexander's reign is subject to debate; dates ranging from 309 to 311 have been proposed.
Phrygia
In antiquity, Phrygia was a kingdom in the west central part of Anatolia, in what is now modern-day Turkey. The Phrygians initially lived in the southern Balkans; according to Herodotus, under the name of Bryges , changing it to Phruges after their final migration to Anatolia, via the...
, was vicarius
Vicarius
Vicarius is a Latin word, meaning substitute or deputy. It is the root and origin of the English word "vicar" and cognate to the Persian word most familiar in the variant vizier....
of Africa
Africa Province
The Roman province of Africa was established after the Romans defeated Carthage in the Third Punic War. It roughly comprised the territory of present-day northern Tunisia, and the small Mediterranean coast of modern-day western Libya along the Syrtis Minor...
when Emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
Maxentius
Maxentius
Maxentius was a Roman Emperor from 306 to 312. He was the son of former Emperor Maximian, and the son-in-law of Emperor Galerius.-Birth and early life:Maxentius' exact date of birth is unknown; it was probably around 278...
ordered him to send his son as hostage to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. Alexander refused and proclaimed himself emperor in 308.
The most detailed if somewhat confusing description of the insurrection is given by Zosimos
Zosimos
Zosimus, Zosimos, or Zosimas may refer to: *Zosimus *Zosimus the Hermit, third century Christian ascetic*Zosimos of Panopolis, third century alchemist*Zosimus, bishop of Naples, –...
(II, 12 and 14). He reports that Maxentius sent his portrait to Africa to gain recognition as emperor there. The troops resisted because of their loyalty to Galerius
Galerius
Galerius , was Roman Emperor from 305 to 311. During his reign he campaigned, aided by Diocletian, against the Sassanid Empire, sacking their capital Ctesiphon in 299. He also campaigned across the Danube against the Carpi, defeating them in 297 and 300...
. Maxentius ordered Domitius Alexander, the governor of the province, to send his son to Rome to secure his loyalty. Alexander refused and was crowned emperor by his army.
The incident was probably caused by the conflict between Maxentius and his father Maximian
Maximian
Maximian was Roman Emperor from 286 to 305. He was Caesar from 285 to 286, then Augustus from 286 to 305. He shared the latter title with his co-emperor and superior, Diocletian, whose political brain complemented Maximian's military brawn. Maximian established his residence at Trier but spent...
early in 308, and Zosimos confused Galerius with Maximian in his account.
Apart from the province of Africa, Domitius Alexander also controlled Sardinia
Sardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea . It is an autonomous region of Italy, and the nearest land masses are the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia and the Spanish Balearic Islands.The name Sardinia is from the pre-Roman noun *sard[],...
. At the time of his accession, he was already at an advanced age. There is evidence in an inscription (CIL
Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum
The Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum is a comprehensive collection of ancient Latin inscriptions. It forms an authoritative source for documenting the surviving epigraphy of classical antiquity. Public and personal inscriptions throw light on all aspects of Roman life and history...
viii, 22183) that Alexander and Constantine I
Constantine I
Constantine the Great , also known as Constantine I or Saint Constantine, was Roman Emperor from 306 to 337. Well known for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, Constantine and co-Emperor Licinius issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed religious tolerance of all...
allied themselves in opposition to Maxentius. Salama suggests that, at the latest, the pact was entered into by autumn of 310.
Maxentius sent his praetorian prefect
Praetorian prefect
Praetorian prefect was the title of a high office in the Roman Empire. Originating as the commander of the Praetorian Guard, the office gradually acquired extensive legal and administrative functions, with its holders becoming the Emperor's chief aides...
Rufius Volusianus and a certain Zenas to quell the rebellion, and Alexander was taken prisoner and then executed by strangulation. Apparently, his troops did not offer much resistance. Maxentius retaliated with confiscations of the property of alleged supporters of Alexander. The year of the end of Alexander's reign is subject to debate; dates ranging from 309 to 311 have been proposed.
External links
- De imperatoribus Romanis on Alexander, including bibliography.