Julius Alexander
Julius Alexander
Although Alexander was a nobleman from Emesa,
Alexander became a Bestiarius, also known as an animal fighter.[8] Alexander became skilled at Lion-hunting.[9] He was known to have brought down a Lion with his javelin while on horseback.[10] His prowess provoked the jealousy of the Roman emperor Commodus.[11]
Commodus ordered Alexander hunted down and killed in Emesa c. 190.[12] Alexander could have escaped from Commodus’ soldiers, but lost time because he didn't want to leave behind his youthful male-lover, who was himself an excellent horseman.[13] Alexander tried to escape the assassins together with his lover, but they were overtaken and killed.
Alexander was buried in the Emesani dynastic tomb in Emesa.[14] Julius Alexander is mentioned in the histories of Cassius Dio and in the Historia Augusta, in The Life of Commodus.
See also
- Bestiarii
References
- ^ Birley, Septimius Severus: The African Emperor, p.223
- ^ Prado, The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction?, p.216
- ^ Birley, Septimius Severus: The African Emperor, p.223
- ^ Prado, The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction?, p.xxiv
- ^ Birley, Septimius Severus: The African Emperor, p.217
- ^ Levick, Julia Domna: Syrian Empress, p.34
- ^ Prado, The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction?, p.216
- ^ Roman Emperors: Commodus
- ^ Birley, Septimius Severus: The African Emperor, p.223
- ^ Cassius Dio, Roman History, 73.14
- ^ Birley, Septimius Severus: The African Emperor, p.223
- ^ Birley, Septimius Severus: The African Emperor, p.223
- ^ Cassius Dio, Roman History, 73.14
- ^ Birley, Septimius Severus: The African Emperor, p.223
Sources
- A.R. Birley, Septimius Severus: The African Emperor, Routledge, 2002
- B. Levick, Julia Domna: Syrian Empress, Routledge, 2007
- L. de Arrizabalaga y Prado, The Emperor Elagabalus: Fact or Fiction?, Cambridge University Press, 2010
- Roman Emperors: Commodus