The Life and Legacy of the First Black Roman Emperor — (That You Never Knew About)
Septimius Severus was born in 146 A.D. in the town of Leptis Magna, in the Roman province of Africa. His father was an officer in the Roman army, and his mother was a member of the Berber tribe.
Severus had a turbulent childhood, as his father was often away on military campaigns, and his mother was left to raise him and his siblings on her own. Severus’s father was killed in battle when he was only four years old. Severus was raised by his mother and her family.
Severus was conscripted into the Roman army as a young man. He was appointed the governor of the Roman province of Pannonia in 193 A.D. Severus was proclaimed emperor of the Roman Empire by his troops in Pannonia in 197 A.D. Severus was an able and successful ruler.
He stabilized the Empire and made significant military and administrative reforms. He also expanded the Empire’s borders by annexing the province of Mesopotamia and making significant gains in Britain.
Severus was not popular with the Roman aristocracy; however, he was controversial. A group of aristocrats, led by senator Pertinax, attempted to overthrow Severus in 211 A.D. Pertinax overthrew Severus, but he was assassinated only three months later. One of the most successful emperors in Roman history was Septimius Severus.
He ruled for 19 years and was the first African-born emperor. He was a great military leader and made many significant reforms. What is now Libya is where Septimius Severus was born in Leptis Magna.
His father was a Berber tribal leader. He joined the army and was promoted quickly. In 193, he was appointed the governor of Upper Pannonia, a province in modern-day Hungary. In 197, the emperor Commodus was assassinated.
Septimius Severus was proclaimed emperor by the army. He quickly consolidated his power and began to make changes. He restored discipline to the army and made necessary government and economic reforms.
Septimius Severus was a great military leader. He campaigned successfully in Britain, Caledonia (Scotland), and Germany. He also defeated the Parthians, a Persian dynasty that had been a thorn in the side of the Roman Empire for centuries. Septimius Severus was a great builder.
He restored many ancient Roman monuments, including the Temple of Venus and the Colosseum. He also built new roads, bridges, and aqueducts.
Septimius Severus died in York in 211. He was succeeded by his sons, Caracalla and Geta. Caracalla had Geta murdered, so he alone ruled the Empire.
~Dr.Têi•B~
