Emperor Septimius Severus

Septimius Severus was born in Africa, at Leptis Magna, on April 11, 145, and died in Britain, on February 4, 211, after reigning for 18 years as Emperor of Rome. He came to power by disposing of rivals with a better claim to power than his own. Septimius Severus died peacefully, leaving, as joint successors, his sons Caracella and Geta.

Following the murder of Pertinax, Rome supported Didius Julianus as emperor, but as Severus entered Rome, the supporters of Julianus defected, and soon the soldiers in Italy and the senators supported Severus; meanwhile, troops in the East proclaimed Syria's governor Pescennius Niger emperor, and the British legions, their governor Clodius Albinus. Severus defeated Niger at the Battle of Issus, and then marched into Mesopotamia, where he set up a new legion and declared war on Albinus. Even with the legions of Britain, Gaul, Germany, and Spain, behind him, Albinus still lost to Severus in 197.

The reputation of Septimius Severus changes with the times. Some consider him responsible for the Fall of Rome. According to [http://www.virtual-pc.com/orontes/severi/MoranSev193.html, 6/29/99] Jonathan C. Moran, Gibbon blamed Severus for the changes that led to turmoil and ultimate decay in Rome. The "De Imperatoribus Romanis" entry on Severus explains the charge: "by giving greater pay and benefits to soldiers and annexing the troublesome lands of northern Mesopotamia into the Roman empire, Septimius Severus brought increasing financial and military burdens to Rome's government." His reign was also considered bloody and according to the Catholic Encyclopedia, he may have been involved in the murder of his predecessor, Pertinax. The Catholic Encyclopedia also says he persecuted the Christians and forbade conversion to Judaism and to Christianity.

On the other side, Septimius Severus restored stability to the Roman Empire. He improved performance and increased morale by making (expensive) changes in the military and praetorian guard. He restored Hadrian's Wall and was involved in other construction projects. He also played the part of the traditional emperor:

He reformed the grain supply for the city of Rome.... He put on games... for the people to keep them diverted and on his side. He freed his friends from debt and gave donatives to the soldiers and people. He also heard lawsuits.... Severus also began appointing his own men to the senate, one the emperor's traditional prerogatives.
- [www.virtual-pc.com/orontes/severi/MoranSev193.html#1, 6/29/99] Severus and Traditional Auctoritas

Print Source:
Septimius Severus: The African Emperor, by Anthony Richard Birley