THE SEVERAN DYNASTY

By Peter Baugh, Mac Rechan, and Alex Hawkenberry

Photo from: http://classconnection.s3.amazonaws.com/143/flashcards/1938143/jpg/severan_tondo1351640371200.jpg

193 CE to 235 CE

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A painting of Severan family members called the Severan Tondo

Background Short reignsEMPERORS:Septimius SeverusCaracalla GetaMacrinusElagabalusAlexander Severus “Caracalla and Geta”. From:

http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/15/1501/4PBBD00Z/posters/sir-lawrence-alma-tadema-caracalla-and-geta-1907.jpg

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SEPTIMIUS SEVERUSPB

Septimius Severus

193 CE to 211 CE

LEFT: http://www.nndb.com/people/804/000107483/septimius-severus-1-sized.jpg

FAR LEFT: http://www.romansociety.org/fileadmin/images/imago/3071.jpg

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Septimius Severus Background From Leptis Magna in Northern Africa Founded African dynasty of Roman

emperors Born in 146 CE, died in 211 CE Fathered Caracalla and Geta

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http://www.prepare2go.com/aviation/images/map_safari.jpg

Septimius Severus as Emperor Was part of conspiracy of emperor that

was killed, leading him to be emperor Revengeful, cruel Gave Asian natives equal rights to

Italians

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cont. Didn’t allow conversion to Judaism and

Christianity Restored Hadrian’s Wall Strengthened Roman power in Britain

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http://www.hadrians-wall-bed-and-breakfast.co.uk/images/index/hadrians_wall_cawfields.jpg

CARACALLA

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Facts-Caracalla created a huge bath complex in downtown Rome itself for the public

enjoyment-He placed heavy taxes on particularly the richest families, so as to limit their power as

well as to fill his pocket-Re-ignited conflict with the Parthians, after convincing them that he wanted peace by

marriage, but instead he murdered the bride and the guests, and began more skirmishes with Parthia

-He was of Syrian descent, and was born in Lugdunum, Gaul-After his father, Septimius Severus died, he and his brother Geta were proclaimed co-

emperors-Instigated mass persecutions and massacres throughout the empire-Caracalla wanted sole rule, so he had loyal membersof the Praetorian guard to kill him, Caracalla massacredGeta's supporters-In order to secure the allegiance of the army, Caracallaraised the annual pay of the common legionary, (he usedthe extra taxes from the rich)-He was assassinated in Parthia by Julius Martialis, an officer in his personal bodyguard

AHhttp://lordbest.napoleonicmedals.org/Emperors/caracalla5.jpg

Legacy-The greatest legacy of Caracalla would be the baths that he created in Rome, the great

piece of architecture would live on after Caracalla's death, and will probably be the greatest reminder of his reign to the Roman people

-The fact that he as well as many other proceeding emperors were Syrian gives proof to the fact that Rome was a multi-ethnic empire, with a great diversity of rulers

-His continuation of the wars with Parthia had a certain impact on the course of the future of Rome's dominion in the east

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http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Thermae_of_Caracalla_Panorama.jpg/900px-Thermae_of_Caracalla_Panorama.jpg

GETAMTR

Geta Was emperor from 209-211 CE Ruled with both his brother, Caracalla,

and father (Severus) Helped to defeat the Britains Took a back seat to the throne as an

emperor, and had little overall influence Little is truly known about Geta and how

he affected the lives of Romans in specific ways

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Image of Geta

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http://www.arthistoryclub.com/art_history/Publius_Septimius_Geta

Geta’s Conflict with Caracalla The title of emperor was shared by both Geta

and his brother Caracalla The two did not cooperate very well, and lived

in constant conflict Eventually, Caracalla had enough, and decided

to assassinate Geta in their mother’s arms, thus becoming the sole emperor of Rome

Caracalla then proceeded to damn (Damnatio Memoriae in Latin) the memory of Geta, and removed his name from all political inscriptions

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MACRINUSPB

Background Emperor from 217-

218 AD Neither a Senator

or from a Senatorial family

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http://lordbest.napoleonicmedals.org/

Emperors/macrinus1.jpg

Reign Became Emperor after his predecessor

was murdered Unable to maintain Roman influence in

the East Unpopular Overthrown, killed

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ELAGABALUS

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Facts

-Elagabalus was the 25th emperor of Rome-He was Syrian, which demonstrates the diversity of emperors' ethnic backround-He was a partier, he employed a sort of whoopee cushion at parties-He reigned for a mere four years-He rose to power by gaining support from the 3rd legion, who were persuaded by

Elagabalus's mother. The emperor before Elagabalus, named Macrinus sent a force to deal with the 3rd legion, but his force turned on him and joined Elagabalus, after that event, the rest of the legions in the east deserted Macrinus and joined Elagabalus and he assumed the throne.

-A rise in sun worship throughout the empire led to him creating a god "deus sol invictus," the god of the undefeated sun-He was extremely promiscuous, often engaged in homosexuality as well as heterosexuality

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elagabalus

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Legacy-The reign of Elagabalus will be remembered mainly for sexual scandal and religious

controversy-He has one of the worst reputation among Roman emperors-His acts of eccentric behavior, self prostitution, and extreme promiscuousness made him

a hated emperor.-His behavior seemed rather strange to senate, the common people, as well as his own

bodyguards, known as the Praetorian guard-His bad rulership and strange behavior led to his assassination, planned by his

grandmother and cousin, and carried out by his own bodyguards-He died at a mere 18 years of age-Religious controversy between the worship ofthe new Deus Sol Invictus, and the old gods sparked violence and unrest

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elagabalus

ALEXANDER SEVERUSMTR

Alexander Severus General Info. Was originally born in Syria, an area of the

Roman Empire He was adopted by Elagabalus at urging of

Julia Maesa Alexander Severus was emperor from 222-

235 CE He was the last emperor of the Severan

Dynasty He was described as “pure, but living in an

age of corruption”

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Images of Alexander Severus

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Severushttp://davidderrick.wordpress.com/

2007/08/08/effeminate-natives-of-asia/

Alexander Severus as Emperor Helped to eventually resist the Persian threat,

probably being the most significant event of his reign

Saw Abraham and Jesus as the greatest teachers of mankind, and tried to follow their teachings

Lowered taxes for Roman citizens However, corruption and instability were the

prime results of his reign When the German Wars began, Maximinus

ascended to the throne and Severus was killed, as the people grew tired of his policies

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"Elagabalus Emperor Of Rome." About.com Ancient / Classical History. Accessed March 2013. http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/biocategory/a/elagabalus.htm."Elagabalus (Roman Emperor)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Accessed March 2013. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/181888/Elagabalus. "Elagabalus." Wikipedia. Accessed March 14, 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elagabalus. "Geta - Roman Emperor." About.com Ancient / Classical History. Accessed March 2013. http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/emperors/p/Geta.htm

cont."Geta." Geta. Accessed March 2013. http://www.roman-empire.net/decline/geta.html. "Outlines of Roman History." Outlines of Roman History. Accessed March 5, 2013. http://www.forumromanum.org/history/index.html. "Publius Septimius Geta - Your Art History Reference Guide!" Publius Septimius Geta. Accessed March 2013. http://www.arthistoryclub.com/art_history/Publius_Septimius_Geta. "Publius Septimius Geta." Wikipedia. Accessed March 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publius_Septimius_Geta.

"Roman Emperors - DIR Caracalla." Roman Emperors - DIR Caracalla. Accessed March 2013. http://www.roman-emperors.org/caracala.htm. "Roman Emperors - DIR Macrinus." Roman Emperors - DIR Macrinus. Accessed March 4, 2013. http://www.roman-emperors.org/macrinus.htm. "Septimius Severus." CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA:. Accessed March 3, 2013. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13721a.htm. "Septimius Severus." Wikipedia. Accessed March 2, 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septimius_Severus. "The Toynbee Convector." The Toynbee Convector. Accessed March 2013. http://davidderrick.wordpress.com/2007/08/08/effeminate-natives-of-asia/.