Septimius Severus, (April 11, 146-February 4, 211) was Roman emperor from April 9, 193 to 211. He waged a brief and successful war against the Parthian Empire, which restored the northern half of Mesopotamia to Rome. During that war, his soldiers sacked the Parthian capital of Ctesiphon and sold the survivors into slavery.

His relations with the Roman Senate were never good. He was unpopular with them from the outset, having seized power with the help of the military, and he returned the sentiment. Severus ordered the execution of dozens of Senators on charges of corruption and conspiracy against him, replacing them with his own favorites.

He also disbanded the Praetorian Guard and replaced it with one of his own, made up of 50,000 loyal soldiers camped in and around Rome.

Although his actions turned Rome into a military dictatorship, he was popular with the citizens of Rome, having stamped out the moral degeneration and rampant corruption of the reign of Commodus.

When he returned from his victory over the Parthians, he erected a triumphal arch in Rome that still stands and bears his name. Upon his death in 211, he was deified by the Senate and succeeded by his two quarrelsome sons, Caracalla and Geta, who were advised by his wife Julia Domna. The stability Severus had provided the Empire was soon gone.

Severus and his wife Julia Domna had two sons, Caracalla and Geta.

About the featured coin:

AR denarius of Septimius Severus, (193-212 AD), minted in 195 AD. Severus facing right / PART ARAB PART ADIAB,COS II PP Scarce issue, commemorating Romans' victories in the Arab-Adiabatic wars. two bound captive Persians seated on shields, trophy between them.