Arch of Septimius Severus
Arch of Septimius Severus
Lucius Septimius Severus was a Roman Emperor born in Leptis Magna, in present day Libya, who reigned 193 until his death in 211. The Arch of Septimius Severus cannot be dated precisely, but it is likely that the citizens of Lepcis started the construction immediately after their fellow citizen had become emperor. The central scene on the arch shows the emperor shaking hands with his sons, Caracalla and Geta. Caracalla is shown as a tall young man and this offers a clue for the moment of completion of the arch, probably in the early 200’s.