Podcasts History Emperors of Rome Episode LXXXVII Severan Stories I

Episode LXXXVII Severan Stories I

Published: Jan. 23, 2018, 4:20 a.m.

Three different events in the reign of Septimius Severus.

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Act I - A hair of the beard

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Gaius Fulvius Plautianus was a trusted relative of Septimius who became pretorian prefect and remained a close advisor. There was no love lost with the rest of the emperor\u2019s family, which led to a swift demise.

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Act II - Princes who adore you

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Septimius\u2019 sons Antoninus and Geta were constant rivals, and the Emperor worried about their behaviour and indulgences during the idle days in Rome.

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Act III - Cordially detested

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Septimius had a close relationship with his wife Julia Domna, and the empire respected her as the mother of the dynasty. She is remembered as having a keen political mind and being a patron of thinkers, but she wasn\u2019t always respected in the palace.

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Guest: Dr Caillan Davenport (Roman History, Macquarie University).