HISTORY OF THE ARCH
Emperor Septimius Severus
Septimius Severus was a Roman Emperor from 192 to 211. Severus was born in Africa in the city of Leptis Magna to Publius Septimus Geta and Fulvia Pia. He rose to power in Rome and became tribune under emperor Marcus Aurelius. Severus was eventually given proconsular power and controlled a legion in Pannonia. While serving his duties he was declared emperor by his legion after Pertinax's death during the year of five emperors.
After the death of Commodus, the year of 193 became known as the Year of Five Emperors. Pertinax, Didius Julianus, Pescennius Niger, Clodius Albinus, and Septimius Severus all laid claim to throne. Pertinax was initially declared emperor, but was murdered by the Praetorian Guard only three months into rule. Didius Julianus then bought the support of the Roman Army through auction to rise to emperor. Severus brought his legion into Rome from Pannonia and removed Julianus and all his supporters. Severus was now in control of Rome, but had to defeat other claimants in the East and West of the empire. Severus won the Battle of Issus over Pescennius Niger in 194. Albinus had power all throughout Britain, Spain, and Gaul but was eventually defeated by Severus in 197 at Lyon.
Severus consolidated power in the fractured empire by paying the soldiers handsomely and putting all supporters of rivals to death. By doing so, he was able to increase funds in the public treasury and used these fund to improve the postal service and erect statues of his family. Severus was keen on showing a dynastic tradition to secure the emperorship for his sons.
Severus began planning an attack on Parthia which was rumored to be mainly for improving his own status and bring glory to the Severans. He lead the war against Parthia during 197 and eventually successfully captured the capital Ctesiphon and defeated the king Abgarus. Here his legions declared his elder son Bassianus (later known as Caracalla) co-emperor and his younger son Geta, Caesar.
Septimius Severus was a Roman Emperor from 192 to 211. Severus was born in Africa in the city of Leptis Magna to Publius Septimus Geta and Fulvia Pia. He rose to power in Rome and became tribune under emperor Marcus Aurelius. Severus was eventually given proconsular power and controlled a legion in Pannonia. While serving his duties he was declared emperor by his legion after Pertinax's death during the year of five emperors.
After the death of Commodus, the year of 193 became known as the Year of Five Emperors. Pertinax, Didius Julianus, Pescennius Niger, Clodius Albinus, and Septimius Severus all laid claim to throne. Pertinax was initially declared emperor, but was murdered by the Praetorian Guard only three months into rule. Didius Julianus then bought the support of the Roman Army through auction to rise to emperor. Severus brought his legion into Rome from Pannonia and removed Julianus and all his supporters. Severus was now in control of Rome, but had to defeat other claimants in the East and West of the empire. Severus won the Battle of Issus over Pescennius Niger in 194. Albinus had power all throughout Britain, Spain, and Gaul but was eventually defeated by Severus in 197 at Lyon.
Severus consolidated power in the fractured empire by paying the soldiers handsomely and putting all supporters of rivals to death. By doing so, he was able to increase funds in the public treasury and used these fund to improve the postal service and erect statues of his family. Severus was keen on showing a dynastic tradition to secure the emperorship for his sons.
Severus began planning an attack on Parthia which was rumored to be mainly for improving his own status and bring glory to the Severans. He lead the war against Parthia during 197 and eventually successfully captured the capital Ctesiphon and defeated the king Abgarus. Here his legions declared his elder son Bassianus (later known as Caracalla) co-emperor and his younger son Geta, Caesar.
The Arch
The Arch of Septimius Severus was built in AD 203 to celebrate the victory over the Parthians. After Severus's return to Rome he dedicated a triumphant arch in the forum. Triumphal arcs were generally erected for military victories or other significant events within the Roman Empire. The arch was especially significant to Severus because it portrayed his family members. This helped give legitimacy to not only his title, but also to his sons Caracalla and Geta.
Years later, Severus went to Britain to quell uprisings. He brought along his two sons and wife Julia Domna. He died in Eboracum to disease while fighting various tribes. Severus chose to give both his sons co-emperorship while uttering the line "Be harmonius, enrich soldiers, and scorn all other men." Essentially he wished that they would rule together in a manner similar to his own. Unfortunately the emperorship of Caracalla and Geta was full of strife and greatly contributed to the steady decline of Rome.
The Arch of Septimius Severus was built in AD 203 to celebrate the victory over the Parthians. After Severus's return to Rome he dedicated a triumphant arch in the forum. Triumphal arcs were generally erected for military victories or other significant events within the Roman Empire. The arch was especially significant to Severus because it portrayed his family members. This helped give legitimacy to not only his title, but also to his sons Caracalla and Geta.
Years later, Severus went to Britain to quell uprisings. He brought along his two sons and wife Julia Domna. He died in Eboracum to disease while fighting various tribes. Severus chose to give both his sons co-emperorship while uttering the line "Be harmonius, enrich soldiers, and scorn all other men." Essentially he wished that they would rule together in a manner similar to his own. Unfortunately the emperorship of Caracalla and Geta was full of strife and greatly contributed to the steady decline of Rome.