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11.04.

145: Septimius Severus – The First Roman Emperor Born in Africa

145: Septimius Severus – The First Roman Emperor Born in Africa
Photo Credit To Wikipedia Commons

Story Highlights

  • Historical event:
  • 11 April 145
  • The Roman Empire was huge when Septimius Severus lived, stretching from Scotland (he fought there) to the area of today`s northern Iraq. It was almost huge as the empire from about a hundred years earlier (when Trajan had lived).

Septimius Severus was born on this day in 145. He was the 21st emperor of the Roman Empire. It is particularly interesting that he was the first Roman emperor who was born in Africa.



Specifically, Septimius Severus was born in Leptis Magna, in the area of today`s Libya. The city of Leptis Magna was located a hundred kilometers east of present-day Libyan capital of Tripoli, which was one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire when Septimius Severus died.

The city was comparable with Alexandria and Carthage. Interestingly, North Africa had a major role, and was considered as breadbasket of the Roman Empire.

Septimius Severus had the “Punic blood”, and was somwhat similar to the famous Carthaginian military commander Hannibal, once the biggest enemy of Rome. Septimius Severus also visited Asia Minor, and he allegedly covered local Hannibal’s tomb with fine marble (Hannibal died in exile in Asia Minor, after Romans had defeated him).

The Roman Empire was so huge when Septimius Severus lived, and stretched from Scotland (he fought there) to the area of today`s northern Iraq. It was almost huge as the empire which had existed about a hundred years earlier (when Trajan had lived).




Septimius Severus expanded the empire in Africa. The Roman military even was in the Sahara. They reached Garami (nearer to Chad and Niger than the Mediterranean Sea).

Septimius Severus died in the British city of York (the Roman name was Eboracum) when he was 65 years old. His son was the notorious Emperor Caracalla.

Visitors to the Roman Forum (Latin: Forum Romanum), can see the Arch of Septimius Severus, whose former imperial title was inscribed on the arch.

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