Severus was enthroned after invading Rome and having Didius Julianus killed.
His two other rivals, Pescennius Niger and Clodius Albinus, were both were hailed by other factions as Imperator.
Severus quickly subdued Niger in Byzantium and promised to Albinus the title of Caesar (which meant he would be a co-emperor).
However, Severus betrayed Albinus by blaming him for a plot against his life.
Severus marched to Gaul and defeated Albinus.
For these acts, Machiavelli said that Severus was "a ferocious lion and a clever fox"
Severus attempted to revive totalitarianism and in an address to people and the Senate, he praised the severity and cruelty of Marius and Sulla, which worried the senators.
When Parthia invaded Roman territory, Severus waged war against that country.
He seized the cities of Nisibis, Babylon and Seleucia.
Reaching Ctesiphon, the Parthian capital, he ordered plundering and his army slew and captured many people.
Albeit this military success, he failed in invading Hatra, a rich Arabian city.
Severus killed his legate, as the latter was gaining respect from the legions; and his soldiers were hit by famine.
After this disastrous campaign, he withdrew.
Severus also intended to vanquish the whole of Britannia.
To achieve this, he waged war against the Caledonians.
After many casualties in the army due to the terrain and the barbarians' ambushes, Severus went himself to the field.
However, he became ill and died in 211 AD, at the age of 65.
Severus was enthroned after invading Rome and having Didius Julianus killed. His two other rivals, Pescennius Niger and Clodius Albinus, were both were hailed by other factions as Imperator. Severus quickly subdued Niger in Byzantium and promised to Albinus the title of Caesar (which meant he would be a co-emperor). However, Severus betrayed Albinus by blaming him for a plot against his life. Severus marched to Gaul and defeated Albinus. For these acts, Machiavelli said that Severus was "a ferocious lion and a clever fox"
Severus attempted to revive totalitarianism and in an address to people and the Senate, he praised the severity and cruelty of Marius and Sulla, which worried the senators. When Parthia invaded Roman territory, Severus waged war against that country. He seized the cities of Nisibis, Babylon and Seleucia. Reaching Ctesiphon, the Parthian capital, he ordered plundering and his army slew and captured many people. Albeit this military success, he failed in invading Hatra, a rich Arabian city. Severus killed his legate, as the latter was gaining respect from the legions; and his soldiers were hit by famine. After this disastrous campaign, he withdrew. Severus also intended to vanquish the whole of Britannia. To achieve this, he waged war against the Caledonians. After many casualties in the army due to the terrain and the barbarians' ambushes, Severus went himself to the field. However, he became ill and died in 211 AD, at the age of 65.
Ancient Rome