In this, the only biography of Septimius Severus in English, Anthony R. Birley explors how 'Roman' or otherwise this man was and examines his remarkable background and career. Severus was descended from Phoenician settlers in Tripolitania, and his reign, AD 193-211, represents a key point in Roman history. Birley explores what was African and what was Roman in Septimius' background, given that he came from an African city. He asks whether Septimius was a 'typical cosmopolitan bureaucrat', a 'new Hannibal on the throne of ...
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In this, the only biography of Septimius Severus in English, Anthony R. Birley explors how 'Roman' or otherwise this man was and examines his remarkable background and career. Severus was descended from Phoenician settlers in Tripolitania, and his reign, AD 193-211, represents a key point in Roman history. Birley explores what was African and what was Roman in Septimius' background, given that he came from an African city. He asks whether Septimius was a 'typical cosmopolitan bureaucrat', a 'new Hannibal on the throne of Caesar' or 'principle author of the decline of the Roman Empire'?
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Seller's Description:
This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has hardback covers. In poor condition, suitable as a reading copy. No dust jacket. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 800grams, ISBN: 0413269000.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good-in Very Good-dust jacket. 0300044674. Slight shelf wear to the spine edges and corners. The dust jacket has some wear to the edges.; 6.5 X 1.25 X 9.75 inches; 291 pages.
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Seller's Description:
Good+ in Good+ dust jacket. B&W Photographs; 291 pages; Foxing to exterior edge of pages and DJ, light. Very Good condition otherwise. No other noteworthy defects. No markings. Small tear to back of DJ.; -We offer free returns for any reason and respond promptly to all inquiries. Your order will be packaged with care and ship on the same or next business day. Buy with confidence.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good+ in Near Fine dust jacket. 0300044674. Former owner's name on ffep. Else Book is fine. Dustjacket is protected in mylar.; In this, the only biography of Septimius Severus in English, Anthony R. Birley explors how 'Roman' or otherwise this man was and examines his remarkable background and career. Severus was descended from Phoenician settlers in Tripolitania, and his reign, AD 193-211, represents a key point in Roman history. Birley explores what was African and what was Roman in Septimius' background, given that he came from an African city. He asks whether Septimius was a 'typical cosmopolitan bureaucrat', a 'new Hannibal on the throne of Caesar' or 'principle author of the decline of the Roman Empire'? ; 291 pages.
Septimius Severus is one of the less famous Roman emperors, so I read this mainly out of idle curiosity.
One weakness of the book is that there's sometimes a little too much biographical detail for comfortable reading. On the other hand, since this is one of few books on Septimius in English, it makes sense to cram in as much as possible since readers might not have access to any other source of information.
Another potential problem is the limited amount of analysis. What did Septimius' rule mean for the Roman Empire? A few years after his death, the Empire almost collapsed during the "Crisis of the Third Century"; were his policies partly responsible for that? The book mentions these issues in the last few paragraphs but doesn't try to answer them.
As long you understand those limitations, this is probably the best biography of Septimius in English.
