In 186 – of enkele jaren later – brak er een slecht gedocumenteerde opstand uit, die doorgaans de Bellum desertorum wordt genoemd. De opstand werd geleid door een deserteur uit het Romeinse leger, een zekere Maternus. Maternus verzamelde een groep legerkameraden om zich heen met wie hij het platteland begon…
De kerk van Santa Balbina is gemakkelijk te vinden. Ze staat op de oostelijke helling van de Kleine Aventijn en kijkt uit over de gigantische Baden van Caracalla. Het is echter veel moeilijker de kerk ook binnen te komen. Kennelijk hebben mensen al ruim een eeuw grote moeite om de…
This is part 2 of my report about my walk along the Via Appia, from the Circus Maximus to the Villa of the Quintilii some 8 kilometres further to the southeast. Part 1 can be found here. It is about 750 metres from the Circus Maximus to the Piazzale Numa…
De transformatie van het Romeinse leger van een leger van dienstplichtigen naar een professionele strijdmacht vond reeds plaats tijdens de Late Republiek. Toch moeten we de oprichting van een professioneel staand leger aan keizer Augustus toeschrijven. In het jaar 6 stelde hij het aerarium militare in, de militaire schatkist waaruit…
Getting to the church of Santa Balbina is fairly easy. The church is located on the eastern slope of the Little Aventine, overlooking the gigantic Baths of Caracalla. Actually getting into the church is a whole lot tougher. Apparently, people have been having difficulties with visiting the Santa Balbina for…
It is difficult to explain why a tourist in Rome should visit the San Giorgio in Velabro. There is not much of interest to see. The architecture is clumsy, there are no artistic treasures inside and the only thing that can be considered ‘art’ – the apse fresco – is…
Although the Roman army had already been transformed from a conscript army into a professional fighting force during the Late Republic, we must credit Augustus with the creation of a professional standing army. In the year 6, he established the aerarium militare, the military treasury from which the soldiers were…
In 186 – or a few years later – a badly documented rebellion broke out, usually called the Bellum desertorum. It was led by a deserter from the Roman army, one Maternus. Maternus gathered around him a group of comrades from the army and started to pillage the countryside. At…
The year started with Publius Helvius Pertinax on the throne, a senator who was the son of a freedman. Pertinax was accepted by the Senate as emperor, and at the same time, the senators declared the slain Commodus an enemy of the state. Both the Senate and the people of…
The previous year ended with Severus’ forces trying to force their way through the Cilician passes in the Taurus Mountains. Initially, they were repelled by strong resistance from Niger’s troops, who were holding excellent strategic positions. However, as the siege of Niger’s positions progressed, the winter weather began to favour…
Still in Syria, Severus decided to cross the Euphrates during the summer months for a punitive expedition into Mesopotomia against the people of Osrhoene and Adiabene. They had revolted against Niger’s forces holding Nisibis – a Roman strongpoint since the campaigns of Lucius Verus – and had killed or captured…
After a siege of almost three years, Severus’ troops managed to capture Byzantium this year (probably late spring, early summer). The city had been an extremely tough nut to crack. The city’s defences were very strong. It had high walls and all sorts of artillery capable of holding back the…
The stage was now set for the final battle of the Civil War of 193-197. After his general Virius Lupus’ defeat against Albinus, Severus took personal command of his army. His forces engaged those of Albinus near Lugdunum (present-day Lyon in France) on 19 February. Cassius Dio claims that there…
The year started with a decisive Roman victory over the Parthians. Their capital Ctesiphon was taken around 28 January after a short siege. The victorious Roman soldiers looted the entire city and took away thousands of women and children as slaves. Herodianus claims the Romans also captured the Parthian king’s…
Now chronology becomes a little hazy, so I may be somewhat off, but my assumption is that Septimius Severus attempted to take Hatra again early this year, when the weather in this part of the world is still mild. The emperor brought with him large stores of food and plenty…
Again, chronology is hazy. It is my take that Severus toured Egypt in 200. Since Egypt was an extremely important province, with extended territories, a long and rich history and much to see, I assume the emperor took his time. The Historia Augusta makes it clear that Severus thoroughly enjoyed…
Now chronology becomes so confused and uncertain that I will discuss multiple years at once. My reconstruction is in large part based on speculation and there are only a few dates that we know for certain. We know that Septimius Severus became consul for the second time on 1 January…
Back in Rome from his African expedition, Severus probably saw the completion of his Triumphal Arch on the Forum Romanum. He may also around this time have ordered the construction of the Domus Severiana on the Palatine Hill, the remains of which can still be seen today. It was an…
In 208, Septimius Severus launched a large military campaign against the Caledonians in Britannia. Cassius Dio writes that the reason for the invasion was that “his sons were changing their mode of life and that the legions were becoming enervated by idleness”. Herodianus’ explanation is a bit more convincing: the…
Septimius Severus died in Eburacum on 4 February. It had been clear for a while that the emperor had been living with one foot in the grave. Herodianus claims that Caracalla tried to persuade the medical staff to be negligent in treating his father, so that he could get rid…