Severus, Lucius Septimius (AD 146–211)

Roman emperor 193–211. After holding various commands under the emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, Severus was appointed commander-in-chief of the army on the Danube, in the Roman provinces, Pannonia and Illyria. After the murder of Pertinax (Roman emperor 193), he was proclaimed emperor by his troops. Severus was an able administrator. He was born in North Africa at Leptis Magna, and was the only native of Africa to become emperor. He died at York.

Having advanced on Rome to secure his position as emperor, Severus fought successful campaigns against his rivals. Pescennius Niger, who had been declared emperor by his troops, was defeated near Issus in Syria (died AD 194). Severus then turned against Clodius Albinus in Gaul (defeated at Lyon AD 197). He also laid siege to Byzantium (taken in AD 196) and made a successful raid against the Arabs east of the Euphrates. Between 199 and 202 he was in the east repelling the Parthians in Mesopotamia (modern northern Iraq). After his return to Rome 202, Severus proved himself a patron of letters and did much to restore and improve the capital. In 208 he went to Britain with his two sons, Caracalla and Geta. After nearly three years of successful campaigning and reform, he died while campaigning against the Caledonians.