Severus II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Severus II |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aureus from 306 or 307 depicting Severus
|
|||||
| Roman emperor (in the West) | |||||
| Augustus | 25 July 306 – April 307 (with Galerius in the East) |
||||
| Predecessor | Constantius I | ||||
| Successor | Maxentius (de facto) Licinius (de jure) |
||||
| Co-ruler | Constantine I | ||||
| Caesar | 1 May 305 – 25 July 306 (under Constantius I) |
||||
| Born | Flavius Severus Illyria |
||||
| Died | September 307 Tres Tabernae |
||||
| Issue | Flavius Severianus | ||||
|
|||||
Flavius Valerius Severus (died September 307), also known as Severus II, was a Roman emperor from 306 to 307. He was part of a system called the Tetrarchy, where the Roman Empire was ruled by four emperors. Severus II was in charge of the western part of the empire, sharing power with Constantine I. However, his short time as emperor was mostly spent fighting a civil war against Maxentius. Maxentius eventually defeated and killed Severus II, taking control of Italy.
Contents
Severus's Early Life and Rise to Power
Severus was born in a simple family in Northern Illyria around the mid-200s. He became good friends with Emperor Galerius. Because of this friendship, Severus rose through the ranks to become a high-ranking officer in the Roman army.
Galerius wanted Severus to become a caesar for the Western Roman Empire. A caesar was like a junior emperor, chosen to help rule and eventually become an augustus (a senior emperor). At first, the older emperor Diocletian was not sure about Severus. But Galerius insisted that Severus had always been a loyal and hardworking officer. So, Diocletian agreed. On May 1, 305, Severus became a caesar. He worked alongside Constantius I, who was the augustus of the western empire.
Becoming Emperor and Facing Challenges
In July 306, Constantius I died in Britain. His soldiers immediately declared his son, Constantine I, as emperor. At the same time, Galerius promoted Severus to the rank of augustus. This meant Severus was now a senior emperor.
Galerius wanted to make Severus the main emperor in the West. He accepted Constantine as part of the ruling group, but only as a caesar. Even though Constantine had a lower title, he controlled most of the Western Roman Empire. This included Britain, Gaul, and Hispania. Severus was left with control over Italy and Western Africa.
The Fight Against Maxentius
In October, Maxentius, the son of a retired emperor named Maximian, started a rebellion in Rome. Galerius sent Severus to stop this uprising. Severus marched towards Rome from his capital city, Mediolanum, with his army.
Maxentius was worried about Severus's army. So, he offered his father, Maximian, a chance to rule with him. Maximian agreed. When Severus arrived and tried to surround Rome, his own soldiers started leaving him to join Maxentius. Severus had to escape to Ravenna, a city that was very hard to attack.
Maximian promised Severus that he would be safe if he surrendered peacefully. Severus agreed and gave up around April 307. Sadly, despite Maximian's promise, Severus was shown off as a prisoner. He was later held in a place called Tres Tabernae. It is believed that when Galerius later invaded Italy to fight Maxentius and Maximian, Maxentius ordered Severus's death. Severus likely died in September or October of 307.
After Severus's death, the position of Western augustus was empty for a while. In November 308, at a meeting called the Conference of Carnuntum, Licinius was chosen as the new emperor. However, Licinius only controlled the Balkan Peninsula in the west. Severus had a son named Flavius Severianus, but he was later killed by Licinius.
See also
In Spanish: Severo II para niños
