Septimius Severus
*This date celebrates the birth of Septimius Severus, a North African General and Ruler of the Roman Empire, in 145 A.D.
From Leptis Magna in Tripolitania, near the modern-day city of Al Khums in Libya, Some scholars claim that he was a Berber, and others claim that he was Punic. Severus reigned as emperor from 193 to 211. His father was Publius Septimus Geta, and his mother was Fulvia Pia. His mother and father descended from members of successful equestrian families with strong political ties.
Little is known about his early background or career, but Severus became quaestor of Rome around 169 A.D. Shortly after becoming quaestor, he married Paccia Marciana, his first wife of 10 years. She was also African; a few years later, she died childless. After her death, he married Julia Domna from a prominent Syrian family. They had two sons, who later became Caesars themselves.
Severus became the tribune of plebs in 174 and then praetor (early law professions) in 177. In 179, he went to Syria to serve as a legal representative. Shortly after he was in office, he was removed. A significant turning point occurred in 184 A.D. when he became an imperial favorite. Commodus (Ruler) appointed him as post-governor of Gallia under Lugdenensis. A year later, Commodus promoted him, making him governor of Sicily. Severus remarried Julia Domna, a Syrian noblewoman. Julia gave birth to his two sons, Caracalla, in 188 and Geta, in 189.
In 190, Severus became consul of Rome. Then, in 192, Commodus was assassinated, and Pertinax succeeded him. The Praetorian Guard later killed Pertinax because they disagreed with his visions for Rome. Then, the guard auctioned off the emperor's ship to Didius Julianus. This greatly angered Severus and many others who supported him. Out of his anger and with support from his army, he accepted his soldier’s salutatio and began to march towards Rome. He overcame all opposition and, in 193, seized control of Rome. Septimius Severus died in 211 A.D.
