Severus LSeptimus

Severus, L. SEPTIMIUS (146-211), one of the most able and upright of the later Roman Emperors, was born near Leptis Magna in Africa. On the assassination of Pertinax, in 193, he was proclaimed emperor at Carnuntum, the capital of his province Pannonia Superior, the legions in Germany and Illyria joining those under his own command. Didius Julianus offered but a feeble resistance, but he had to contend with more formidable rivals in Pescennius Niger and Clodius Albinus, the last of whom was vanquished in a fierce battle near Lyons in 197. The success of his Parthian campaigns (197-202) added the province of Mesopotamia to the Empire. His last three years were occupied with wars in Britain. He died at York.