Domitius Alexander L. 

Domitius Alexander L. was vicarius of Africa when emperor Maxentius ordered him to send his son as hostage to Rome . Alexander refused and proclaimed himself Roman emperor. Alexander then led a short-lived revolt against Maxentius from 308 to 311, holding Africa and Sardinia . The loss of Africa was a terrible blow to Maxentius as it meant the loss of the all-important grain supply to Rome . In consequence the capital was struck by famine. Fighting broke out between the praetorians who enjoyed a privileged food supply and the starving population. Late in AD 309 Maxentius' ordered his praetorian prefect, Gaius Rufius Volusianus, across the Mediterranean to deal with the African crisis. The expedition was successful and the rebel Alexander was taken prisoner and then executed (ca. 309).