[Born at Lyons in France, A.D. 188. Died in Mesopotamia, A.D. 217.
Aged 29.]
In early life remarkable for gentle and pleasing address; but on the
death of his father, Septimius Severus, he assassinated his brother
Geta, who was left, with himself, joint heir to the throne. Other crimes
were added, and, conscience-stricken, he soon gave rein to the passions
of a madman. He oppressed his citizens by extortionate taxation, and
plundered the world for the means of paying for his soldiers and his
amusements. He, however, erected some great monuments in Rome. He was
assassinated in Mesopotamia by order of Macrinus, his chief officer.
[All busts of him show the peculiar deformed turn of the neck with
which he was afflicted.]