11 March AD 222
Elagabalus killed, Alexander Severus emperor

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Elagabalus is killed by the Praetorian Guard and his body dumped in the river Tiber on 11 March AD 222. This brings to an end the reign of one of the most extraordinary of all emperors, even by Roman standards. In fact, most of the business of government for the past four years has been conducted not by Elagabalus but by two female relatives: the Syrian princesses, Julia Soaemias and Julia Maesa. Julia Soaemias, Elagabalus's mother, is killed along with him. Julia Maesa as grandmother of Elagabalus's adopted son and heir – his 13-year-old cousin Alexander Severus – holds power in a joint regency with Alexander's mother until her death in AD 224.

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