WI: Alexander Severus truly goes to war?

In OTL, the last severan emperor was consistently hesitant to go to war, which culminated in him not leading his army into Sassanian territory, ultimately dooming the first roman campaign in the Sassanid empire.
what would've happened had he truly gone to war himself? how do roman odds improve with this 3rd force in Sassanid land? what peace treaty might be imposed on the new Sassanid empire if they win - and what would be the butterflies of a battle-proven Alexander Severus who is at least not completely despised by his troops?
 
Alexander actually “led” one of the three columns attacking the Sassanids. Of course he couldn’t lead operations himself since he had no experience in warfare, nor attitude for it, that’s what really made soldiers despise him. Let’s say however that Alexander is a strong, capable young man and wins the war. The treaty would likely stabilize the Eastern border, while Alexander himself would gain an enormous prestige boost. He would likely overcome any sort of rebellion, if any, rising from his troops in the north.
 
how do roman odds improve with this 3rd force in Sassanid land?

First of all, I don't think it suffered quite as much as our source claims. The southern Roman force was probably not "annihilated" but engaged in a bloody stalemate. Dodgeon and Lieu doubted the accuracy of the annihilation claim, coming as it did from a source hostile to the emperor.

what peace treaty might be imposed on the new Sassanid empire if they win

I think Alexander would've stood a better chance had he first committed the bulk of his forces in Armenia, where terrain wasn't favorable to enemy horsemen. Just like Galerius's approach later that century, a march on Ctesiphon should've waited until after the Sassanids were beaten tactically--I mean better than in OTL--in Armenia.

But to answer the question, the Romans would have their way territorially in the East, at least for the time being.

and what would be the butterflies of a battle-proven Alexander Severus who is at least not completely despised by his troops?

He would've been less likely to be dumped by big Max. :)
 
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