190-209 Two Africans Rule Rome, Emperor Severus & Pope Victor I
During this 20 year period Rome became ruled by the first non-Roman emperor -- Severus (pictured) -- through whose Syrian wife Rome later inherited some strange emperors.
It was also a murderous time. The young Roman Emperor Commodus was assassinated in 192 and succeeded by Pertinax - son of an ex slave - who, in turn, was assassinated in 193 and succeeded by Didius Julianus who was finally succeeded by Severus who ruled from 193-211.
Severus was born to the native aristocracy of the Punic city of Lepcis Magna in Africa and had been the Governor of Upper Pannonia (Hungary).
His rule coincided with the rule in Rome of another African, Victor I, the Bishop of Rome from 189-198.
Severus had gained the support of the armies of the Danube and the Rhine, as well as the Governor of Britain, Clodius Albinos, but had to deal with another contender for the emperorship in Pescennius Niger, Governor of Syria who had seized Byzantium.
In 194 Severus besieged Byzantium and Egypt and Arabia switched allegiance to him. He then had to deal with Clodius Albinos, who declared himself emperor in 195! Severus met Clodius' army in Gaul, defeated him in 197 and as result was proclaimed Emperor of Rome.
On his return to Rome, Severus killed 29 senators and a large number of lower ranks and confiscated their property. For the first time in the history of the Empire, he stationed a garrison outside Rome - to prevent trouble - and made his base in the East.
Later in 197 Severus travelled down the Euphrates and captured the Parthian capital, Ctesiphon; in 198 he annexed North Mesopotamia as a province; and was eager for more conquests but the troops were weary and refused to obey orders.
It was also a murderous time. The young Roman Emperor Commodus was assassinated in 192 and succeeded by Pertinax - son of an ex slave - who, in turn, was assassinated in 193 and succeeded by Didius Julianus who was finally succeeded by Severus who ruled from 193-211.
Severus was born to the native aristocracy of the Punic city of Lepcis Magna in Africa and had been the Governor of Upper Pannonia (Hungary).
His rule coincided with the rule in Rome of another African, Victor I, the Bishop of Rome from 189-198.
Severus had gained the support of the armies of the Danube and the Rhine, as well as the Governor of Britain, Clodius Albinos, but had to deal with another contender for the emperorship in Pescennius Niger, Governor of Syria who had seized Byzantium.
In 194 Severus besieged Byzantium and Egypt and Arabia switched allegiance to him. He then had to deal with Clodius Albinos, who declared himself emperor in 195! Severus met Clodius' army in Gaul, defeated him in 197 and as result was proclaimed Emperor of Rome.
On his return to Rome, Severus killed 29 senators and a large number of lower ranks and confiscated their property. For the first time in the history of the Empire, he stationed a garrison outside Rome - to prevent trouble - and made his base in the East.
Later in 197 Severus travelled down the Euphrates and captured the Parthian capital, Ctesiphon; in 198 he annexed North Mesopotamia as a province; and was eager for more conquests but the troops were weary and refused to obey orders.
Labels: 190, commodus, didius julianus, pertinax, roman emperors, severus
