In this, the only biography of Septimius Severus in English, Anthony R. Birley explors how 'Roman' or otherwise this man was and examines his remarkable backgro
Septimus Severus was descended from Phoenician settlers in Tripolitania, North Africa and was emperor of Rome AD 193-211. Using archaeological discoveries from
The assassination of Emperor Commodus in 192 sparked a civil war. Septimius Severus emerged as the eventual victor and his dynasty (the Severans) ruled until 23