The Severo's dynasty and the army

Abstract

After a premise about the main sources used (Casio Dión, Herodiano, Historia Augusta), the analysis of the coup d'etat in 193 a. D. which removed Commodus and gave the imperial power to Pertinax, shows that conspirators, when chose Septimius Severus, Pescenius Niger and Clodius Albinus as governors of the main three provinces (Upper Panonia, Syria and Britain), were illusionated on the election of men with very few courage, without experience or militar prestige and so that unable to try a military uprising with their legions. The analysis of Severus career before his imperial acclamation, mediocre and without significative military comands, confirms this conclusion.