Severan dynasty

• 1. Founding And Civil War

  ›

  In the 9th of April 145, Lucius Septimius Severus was born in Leptis Magna. This city sat within the Roman province of Africa Proconsularis and now lies in Libya. He rose through military service to consular rank under later emperors of the Antonine dynasty. In summer 187 he married a Syrian noblewoman named Julia Domna. The marriage produced two boys: Caracalla and Geta. Severus was proclaimed emperor in 193 by his legionaries in Noricum during political unrest following the death of Commodus. He secured sole rule over the empire in early 197 after defeating Clodius Albinus at the Battle of Lugdunum. In late 197 Severus fought a successful war against the Parthians. Between 208 and 210 he campaigned with success against barbarian incursions in Roman Britain. He rebuilt Hadrian's Wall during this period. His relations with the Senate were poor but he remained popular with commoners and soldiers. Soldiers received salary raises starting from 197. Starting in 197 his praetorian prefect Gaius Fulvius Plautianus grew in influence until executed in 205. Septimius died from natural causes in early 211 while on campaign in Britain.

  14

• 2. Imperial Women And Politics

  ›

  Julia Domna held a prominent political role in government during her husband's reign. Her sister Julia Maesa became mother to Julia Soaemias and Julia Mamaea. These women were all powerful augustae who secured imperial positions for their male relatives. Julia Maesa used enormous wealth to get soldiers swear fealty to Elagabalus. She persuaded the Legio III Gallica to rebel against Macrinus by claiming Elagabalus was Caracalla's bastard son. Maesa and her family entered the camp where Elagabalus was clad in imperial purple. Another account describes how Gannys dressed young Elagabalus in Caracalla's childhood clothes. Gannys smuggled him into the camp at night before soldiers revolted the next morning. In 221 Julia Maesa persuaded or forced Elagabalus to adopt Severus Alexander as Caesar. The adoption happened at the urging of Julia Maesa who was grandmother to both cousins. Ruling from age 14 under influence of his mother Julia Avita Mamaea, ancient writers presented his reign as efficient regime like rule of Septimius Severus. His cousin Elagabalus had made several attempts on Alexander's life which prompted troops to mutiny.

  9

• 3. Military Reforms And Economy

  ›

  During his reign Severus debased Roman currency several times. Upon accession he decreased silver purity of denarius from 81.5% to 78.5%. He raised soldier salaries starting from 197. After murdering brother Caracalla gained goodwill of legionaries with lavish pay raises. However he also purged many of Geta's supporters. Macrinus attempted saving by paying serving soldiers of Eastern troops by higher pay scales established during rule of Caracalla. New recruits received lower pay scales from time of Septimius. His troops were not impressed by this arrangement. During campaigns Caracalla let his mother handle many official matters by correspondence. He referred only major issues to her directly. The Baths of Caracalla in Rome remain most enduring monument of his rule. In 213 he campaigned against Alamanni and in 214 fought Danubian Carpi. Later he raised Macedonian phalanx to emulate Alexander the Great. He marched through Asia and Syria to Alexandria inviting mockery of many whom he later executed. During his reign he bestowed Roman citizenship to all non-slaves living within empire borders.

  35

• 4. The Brothers Caracalla And Geta

  ›

  Caracalla hated his brother and conflict between them culminated in assassination of latter in 211. Soon after father's death Geta was murdered by brother Caracalla. Geta died clung to his mother in their apartments by order of Caracalla who then ruled as sole emperor. Unlike much more successful joint reign of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus previous century relations were hostile between two Severan brothers. Relations initially buffered by Julia Domna's mediation before collapsing completely. After murder of brother Caracalla tried gaining goodwill of legionaries with lavish pay raises. However he also purged many of Geta's supporters. Caracalla died the 8th of April 217 while en route to campaign against Partians. Murder committed by evocatus attached to Praetorian Guard on order of future emperor Macrinus. The younger son Geta born in 189 made caesar in 198 and co-augustus in 209 or 210 alongside father and older brother Caracalla. Their hostile relationship ended when Geta was murdered shortly after father's death.

  8

• 5. Religious Controversies Of Elagabalus

  ›

  Elagabalus born Varius Avitus Bassianus in 203 became known later as Marcus Aurelius Antonius. Name followed Latin nomenclature for Syrian sun god Elagabal of whom he was priest. At age 14 in 218 Elagabalus crowned emperor by Gallic Third Legion. Historical sources treat his reign negatively but many failures cannot be affirmed. Epigraphical and numismatic evidence shows Elagabalus did replace Jupiter with Elagabal in late 220. He also married Vestal Virgin called Aquilia Severa. In addition to these offences to Roman sensibilities he accused being murderous and bloodthirsty. Executions during reign appear politically motivated instead resulting from simple bloodlust. Many stories about effeminacy extravagance and licentiousness are imaginations of ancient authors. In 221 seeing grandson's outrageous behavior could mean loss power Julia Maesa persuaded forced Elagabalus adopt cousin Severus Alexander. At same time forced divorce Aquilia marry Annia Faustina relative of Marcus Aurelius. Only take Aquila back few months before end 221. Elagabalus tried several occasions murder Alexander which enraged troops. In 222 Elagabalus murdered and corpse thrown into sewer. Next day cousin Alexander hailed emperor by troops.

  6

• 6. Final Campaigns And Dynasty Collapse

  ›

  Alexander Severus born Gessius Bassianus Alexianus ca. 209 adopted at by Elagabalus from whence called Marcus Aurelius Alexander Caesar. His cousin Elagabalus made several attempts on Alexander's life prompting troops mutiny. Things came head March 6 when Elagabalus put death and Alexander raised throne. Rising strength Sasanian Empire heralded perhaps greatest external challenge Rome faced 3rd century. However 231 Alexander organized expedition to Parthia nominally leading it maintaining control province Mesopotamia. Alexander's reign ended early 235 when murdered together with mother by own troops wintering Germany. He prosecuted war Upper Germania while stationed there. Deified 238 after memory condemned few years. Death Alexander epochal event beginning troubled Crisis Third Century. Successor Maximinus Thrax first series weak emperors ending 50 years later Tetrarchy instituted reign Diocletian. The dynasty ruled Roman Empire between 193 and 235 founded by emperor Septimius Severus and Julia Domna his wife. Their two sons Caracalla and Geta ruled briefly after death Septimius.

  5