Septimius Severus (145–211 CE) Flashcards
When and where was Septimius Severus born?
April 11, 145 CE, in Leptis Magna, Africa (modern-day Libya)
Who were the rivals Septimius Severus defeated to gain power?
Pescennius Niger and Clodius Albinus
Who was Septimius Severus’ wife?
Julia Domna, a woman from Syria
What was the name of the dynasty founded by Septimius Severus?
The Severan dynasty
What two regions did Severus expand the Roman Empire into during his reign?
Mesopotamia and Britain
How did Septimius Severus change the Roman military?
He raised soldiers’ pay, allowed them to marry, and increased their influence in politics
How did Severus’ reign affect the Roman Senate?
He reduced the Senate’s influence, centralizing power in the emperor’s hands
What advice did Septimius Severus give his sons on his deathbed?
‘Be harmonious, enrich the soldiers, and scorn all others.’
Which tribes did Septimius Severus attempt to subdue in Britain?
The Caledonian tribes (in modern-day Scotland)
What reforms did Septimius Severus make to Roman law?
He strengthened the role of the imperial court and emphasized the emperor’s authority
What was the political climate like when Severus came to power?
The Roman Empire was experiencing internal instability with frequent civil wars and power struggles
What challenges did Septimius Severus face during his rise to power?
Opposition from rivals and a chaotic succession after Emperor Pertinax’s death in the ‘Year of the Five Emperors’
What led to the fall of the Severan dynasty?
The internal strife between his sons, Caracalla and Geta, destabilized the empire after Severus’ death
Where did Septimius Severus die?
In Eboracum (modern-day York) during his campaign in Britain in 211 CE
How is Septimius Severus remembered today?
As a successful military leader who strengthened the Roman Empire but whose reliance on the army led to future instability
