Severan dynasty

Roman imperial dynasties
The Severan Tondo, depicting Septimius Severus and most of his family.
Severan dynasty
Chronology
Septimius Severus 193–211
with Caracalla 198–211
with Geta 209–211
Caracalla 211–217
Geta 211
Macrinus' usurpation 217–218
with Diadumenian 218
Elagabalus 218–222
Severus Alexander 222–235
Dynasty
Severan dynasty family tree
All biographies
Succession
Preceded by Year of the Five Emperors Followed by Crisis of the Third Century
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The Severan dynasty, sometimes called the Septimian dynasty, ruled the Roman Empire between 193 and 235^[1]: 1292. It was founded by the emperor Septimius Severus (r. 193–211)^[1]: 1351 and Julia Domna, his wife, when Septimius emerged victorious from civil war of 193 - 197, which began with the Year of the Five Emperors. Their two sons, Caracalla (r. 192–217)^[1]: 211 and Geta (r. 211)^[1]: 1350, ruled briefly after the death of Septimius. In 217 - 218 there was a short interruption of dynasty's control over the empire by reigns of Macrinus (r. 217–218)^[1]: 1292 and his son Diadumenian (r. 218) before Julia Domna's relatives assumed power by raising her two grandnephews, Elagabalus (r. 218–222)^[1]: 212 and Severus Alexander (r. 222–235)^[1]: 212, in succession to the imperial office^[1]: 1292.

The dynasty's women, Julia Domna, the mother of Caracalla and Geta, and her sister, Julia Maesa, the mother of Julia Soaemias and Julia Mamaea, mothers of Elagabalus and Severus Alexander respectively, were all powerful augustae. They were also instrumental in securing imperial positions for their male relatives.

Although Septimius Severus restored peace following the upheaval of the late 2nd century, the dynasty's rule was disturbed by unstable family relationships and political instability, especially the rising power of the praetorian prefects^[2]: 170. All this foreshadowed the Crisis of the Third Century^[3]: 195.