Severus Executed Under Maxentius Command

The execution of Flavius Valerius Severus in 09/307, carried out on the orders of Maxentius, marked a decisive rupture in the Roman Tetrarchic system established by Diocletian. Following the death of Constantius I Chlorus in 306, Severus, a trusted officer of Galerius, was elevated from Caesar to Augustus of the Western Roman Empire. His appointment was intended to preserve stability within the established system of succession, but it quickly drew him into conflict with Maxentius, who had seized power in Rome with the backing of the Praetorian Guard and support from his father, the retired emperor Maximian. Severus was tasked with suppressing the revolt and marched toward Rome in early 307. However, his campaign unraveled before a decisive engagement could take place. A significant portion of his army consisted of soldiers who had previously served under Maximian. As Severus approached the city, many of these troops defected to Maxentius, unwilling to fight against the son of their former commander. This mass desertion critically weakened Severus’s position and forced him to abandon the advance. Despite the promise of clemency, Severus was executed in 09/307. Ancient sources differ on the exact manner of his death, with some indicating he was compelled to commit suicide, while others suggest direct execution. His death removed the Western Augustus recognized by Galerius and further destabilized the Tetrarchic system, intensifying the cycle of rival claims and civil wars that followed in the early 4th century. #Severus #Maxentius #RomanEmpire #Tetrarchy #AncientHistory