Felix dies natalis, Septimi Severe!

Septimius Severus was born on 11 April 145 in the African city of Leptis Magna, whose magnificent ruins are located in modern-day Libya, 130 miles east of Tripoli.

Marble bust of Septimius Severus of the Serapis style (the four “separis curls” falling into his forehead go back to a cult image of the Egyptian god Serapis)
Altes Museum Berlin
© Carole Raddato

Although Severus was not a member of the Antonine Dynasty, he and his descendants had close ties with the Antonine emperors. Severus’ grandfather was a duumvir under Trajan, his cousins received suffect consulships in Rome under Antoninus Pius and his own career flourished under Marcus Aurelius and Commodus. 

Septimius Severus, dates to the years after 195 AD
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen
© Carole Raddato

But it does not stop here, Severus entered the Antonine Dynasty by declaring that he was Marcus Aurelius’ son. Not surprisingly, all official portraits of the emperor depict him with…