On the 11th of April in 145, Lucius Septimius Severus drew his first breath within the walls of Leptis Magna. This city sat in the Roman province of Africa, now known as Libya. He emerged from a wealthy family holding equestrian rank. His father Publius Septimius Geta hailed from Punic stock while his mother Fulvia Pia descended from Italian patricians of the gens Fulvia. Cassius Dio later described him as Libyan by race. This background made him the first emperor born outside Italy to a non-Italian provincial family.
His early education combined native Punic speech with Latin and Greek lessons. He spoke the latter languages with a noticeable accent. At age seventeen he delivered his first public speech before an audience. The boy craved more learning than his circumstances allowed. A plague struck Rome in 166 forcing his career into pause. He returned home to Leptis Magna where the air was healthier for recovery.
Severus eventually resumed his path toward public office around 162. Emperor Marcus Aurelius granted him entry into the senatorial ranks following advice from a relative. He served as State Attorney and likely oversaw road maintenance near the capital. The Antonine Plague had thinned the Senate ranks creating opportunities for capable men like him. By December 5th of 169 he took office as quaestor and entered the Senate officially.
Military Career And Rise To Power
The year 193 marked a violent turning point when Emperor Pertinax died at the hands of the Praetorian Guard. Didius Julianus bought the throne through an auction but the Senate condemned him to death. Severus heard news of the chaos while commanding legions in Pannonia Superior. On April 9th, legion XIV Gemina acclaimed him emperor at Carnuntum. Nearby units including X Gemina soon followed suit.
He marched on Italy with an army loyal to him alone. Upon reaching Rome he executed those responsible for Pertinax's murder. He dismissed the entire Praetorian Guard and filled their ranks with veterans from his own Danubian legions. This move secured his power base before facing external threats. Pescennius Niger claimed the throne in Syria while Clodius Albinus held Britannia.
Severus defeated Niger at the Battle of Issus in 194. He then turned north to face Albinus who had been declared emperor by his troops. The clash occurred on February 19th of 197 at Lugdunum in Gaul. An army of roughly 75,000 men fought there. Severus killed Albinus and took full control of the empire. He subsequently executed twenty-nine senators who had supported his rival despite previous promises.