Roman Emperor Flavius Severus
Flavius Severus, or known by many of his peers simply as Severus, was an emperor of the Western territories of the empire only within the year 306 AD. As a soldier belonging to the Illyrian provinces, his rapid and surprising rise to the lofty position of Caesar was brought about by his appointment to the said position by Maximian upon the recommendation of his associate Galerius.
He was then given dominion over the entire Western Roman Empire beginning in the year 305 AD. Politically, he would also serve in another capacity as the junior partner to Constantius Chlorus, who was at that time the appointed Augustus of the Western Roman Empire.
Upon the death of Constantius Chlorus, Flavius Severus would find himself being appointed to the much coveted position of Caesar in the year 306 AD. This proclamation of Flavius Severus to the throne was brought about by the direct orders of Galerius himself, which was an action that was taken in direct response to the proclamation of Constantine as the rightful heir to the throne of Roman Emperor by his own soldiers.
The subsequent revolt of Maxentius (who was the son of the former emperor Maximian) along with his troops, at Rome, necessitated the need for someone to crush this budding armed dissent. Galerius felt rightly that Flavius Severus was the one among his own ranks that was best qualified for the job and to this end, he sent Severus to march against Maxentius and his combined forces.
Marching out from his capital, Mediolanum moved out to Rome on a direct oath that would lead him to a bloody confrontation with Maxentius. He must have felt a healthy measure of confidence during this campaign as he was accompanied by the combined forces of what was previously the army of Maximian.
Maxentius however, fearing an encounter with Severus offered his father the co-emperorship of the Empire. Maximian accepted the terms of this agreement and upon Severus' arrival in Rome he was abandoned by his men and given over to Maximian.
Flavius Severus was killed in the invasion of Galerius on Italy in 307 AD.
Original Authors: Doods Pangburn
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 14/05/2008
