Septimius Severus was the founder of the Severan Dynasty. He was a native of Leptis Magna (in modern day Libya), born into a wealthy family of mixed Roman Italian and Punic-Berber descent. He came to power in 193, the year during which a civil war erupted following the assassination of Emperor Pertinax by the Praetorian guard. That year saw a total of five men acclaimed Augustus, but it was finally Septimius who won the throne after defeating his rivals.
Septimius was an effective if harsh emperor, living up to his name Severus (the Severe). He was also one of the most militarily vigorous emperors, conquering various Arab tribes, the Assyrians at Adiabene, the Caledonians in Britain, as well as defeating the Parthian Empire.
