(d. 136 C. E.) Consul in 90, 120, and 134 C. E.
Servianus was generally considered the heir apparent during the reign of Hadrian (117-138). Like his great patron, Emperor trajan, Servianus was a Spaniard, attaining the trust of both Trajan and his predecessor, NERVA. Appointed by Nerva in 98 to the governorship of Germania Inferior, he already possessed great political power as a senator. Trajan used Servianus extensively, naming him governor of pannonia and granting him important commands against the Dacians. He became a member of the imperial family by marrying Domitia Paulina, sister of Hadrian. By 136, Hadrian was increasingly ill and looking for a successor. Servianus was too old at 90 to be considered but not so feeble as to be viewed as no longer a threat to stability. To ensure a smooth transition of power, Hadrian ordered his death and that of his grandson, Gnaeus Fuscus. It was reported that Servianus exclaimed before his execution that “my only prayer is that Hadrian lingers for a long time, praying for death but unable to die.”
Servius (fl. early fifth century c. e.) Grammarian Servius was included by macrobius in the Saturnalia and authored a major work on VIRGIL. The commentaries on Virgil are extant in two versions. The first, certainly by the hand of Servius, was a short treatise centering on the grammar, diction, and style of Virgil, while the second was longer, with additions and quotations of other writers. Called the schola Danielis, it was probably composed much later by a Christian. Servius himself was possibly a pagan.
Sestertius (Also sestertii or sesterces) One of the
Major species of Roman imperial coinage; the main coin of silver, worth approximately one-quarter the value of the DENARIUS. Originally issued during the Republic, its first minting was traditionally set in 296 B. C.E., when it bore a worth of two asses. With the monetary reforms of Emperor Augustus, the sestertius replaced the as as a silver coin. Subsequently it was the most widely distributed money in the Roman Empire, earning the name nummus or the “coin.” It suffered in the economic crisis of the third century C. E. and was dropped altogether as a form of currency after the usurper Postumus made a last issue during the years 259-267.
Severa, Aquilia See elagabalus.
Severa, Aurelia (d. 213 c. e.) One of the four Vestal Virgins put to death by Emperor Caracalla in 213 c. e.
Along with Pomponia Rufina and Clodia Laeta, she was buried alive for crimes of unchastity.
See also cannutia crescentia.
Samples of sestertius (Courtesy Warren Esty)
Severianus, P. Aleius (fl. late second century c. e.) Roman legate in Armenia in 161 c. e.
He was notable for his complete failure in preventing the invasion of the country by vologases iii of parthia and for leading virtually an entire legion to its destruction near Elegeia. His resounding defeat brought Lucius verus to the East, precipitating a major war with Parthia in 163. See ARSACID DYNASTY.
Severus (1) See celer and severus.
Severus (2) (fl. first century c. e.) Prefect of Egypt during the reign of Tiberius, in 32 c. e.
Also called Hiberus, he did not come from the usual ranks of the Equestrians (equites) but was a freedman. This was a singularly unusual appointment.
Severus I See severus, septimius.
Severus II (Flavius Valerius Severus) (d. 307 c. e.) Joint emperor from 306 to 307
Severus was an Illyrian soldier and a close friend of Emperor galerius. When Galerius was promoted from Caesar to Augustus in 305 (see tetrarchy) he nominated Severus as his replacement. This move gave Galerius a p o w e rful hold over the Roman Empire, for the other Caesar, Maximinus II Daia, was also a support e r. The new Augustus, CONSTAN TIUS I CHLORUS, was seemingly outnumbered. Severu s ’s sphere of control was Italy, AFRICA and, later, pannonia. One year later, Constantius died in Britain, and Galerius used his authority to elevate Severu s to the rank of Augustus in the West. Constantine, Con-stantius’s son, was appointed as his Caesar. This infuriated MAXENTIUS, the son of the old Augustus, Maximian. In 307 Maxentius found allies in Rome and was procl aim ed
Emperor. Galerius sent instructions to Severus to march f rom Milan to Rome. His campaign was a disaster. Retreating to Milan, he surre n d e red to Maximian, who had come out of retirement. Galerius took to the field, and upon his entering Italy Severus was put to death by his captors.
Severus, Lucius Catilius (fl. second century c. e.) Consul in 110 and 120 c. e.
An imperial officer and the greatgrandfather of Marcus AURELIUS, Severus was of a distinguished senatorial family, embarking on a highly successful career as proconsul of Asia, praefectus aerari militaris, praefectus aerari Sat-urni and legate of Cappadocia from 114 to 117, where he fought in Trajan’s Parthian campaign. In favor with HADRIAN, he was put in charge of SYRIA in 117, holding the post until around 119. After serving as consul for a second time, he was made proconsul of AFRICA before being appointed prefect of the city in 138. Upon the adoption of Antoninus Pius as Hadrian’s heir, Severus was reportedly so disappointed at not being named that Hadrian removed him from his post.
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