Septimius Severus died of an illness during his final, British campaign, on 4 February 211 AD, in Eboracum (York). His sons Caracalla and Geta were already joint rulers (Augusti) and were now automatically in charge of the empire. It was the start of a tense period however. Rivalry between the two new Emperors intensified (at the end of the year it would lead to the death of the latter, giving the sole reign to Caracalla).
The ancient historians describe how Severus was cremated in York. His ashes were placed in an urn made of precious stone. There was of course still a war going on in Britain, but Caracalla, who took the lead, made peace with the enemy. Caracalla then started the return journey to Rome, with Geta and his mother, Julia Domna. The company crossed the channel and landed in Gaul.
Dedication from 211 AD, for the safe return of Julia Domna and her children,
to the Genius of Aquae Vescinae (Suio, province of Latina, Italy). EDR072692.
Image: Aquae Salutiferae, Padova 2013, p. 248 fig. 2.After travelling through France, with the inhabitants paying their respects, they presumably boarded another ship in a harbour on the south coast and then sailed to Ostia-Portus. In Rome the brothers then took up separate quarters in the Imperial palace on the Palatine. Coins were minted of Caracalla and Geta with the figure of Fortuna Redux, "Fortuna that brings back".
Denarius of 211 AD with the portrait of Geta and Fortuna Redux holding a cornucopiae and leaning on a wheel.
P SEPT GETA PIVS AVG BRIT - FORT RED TR P III COS II P P
Photo: coinarchives.com.Severus had already been cremated in York, but the ceremony was repeated in Rome. The double cremation causes confusion in the Historia Augusta (Septimius Severus 24). Herodianus, who must have been an eye-witness, gives a very detailed account (book IV,2). The pyre which he describes, "resembling a lighthouse" (surely the lighthouse of Claudius in Portus), is depicted on coins celebrating the deification of Severus. The urn of Severus was interred in the Mausoleum of Hadrianus, Castel Sant'Angelo.
Gold coin of the deified Septimius Severus and his pyre, in the British Museum.
DIVO SEVERO PIO - CONSECRATIO
Photo: British Museum.
Denarius of the deified Septimius Severus and an eagle on a globe, taking the soul of the Emperor to heaven.
DIVO SEVERO PIO - CONSECRATIO
Photo: coinarchives.com.
