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On this day the Roman emperor Septimius Severus was born

Lucius Septimius Severus was born on 11 April, AD 145 or 146, in Leptis Magna in modern day Libya, the first emperor to be born in Africa.

A coin of Pontius Pilate for Easter

Everyone has heard of Pontius Pilate: but what do ancient sources outside the Bible tell us about him?

On this day in 302 Diocletian issued his edict on Manicheanism

But who were the Manicheans? And what did Diocletian think of them?

On this day in 180AD the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius died

On the coin he is shown ascending to heaven on the back on an eagle, seeming to wave goodbye to the world.

On this day in 37AD the Roman emperor Tiberius died

The second emperor of Rome died on this day, to be succeeded by a man ill-suited to rule: Gaius, known as Caligula.

On this day in 222AD Severus Alexander became emperor of Rome

On 14th of March 222 Severus Alexander became emperor at the tender age of just thirteen, making him the second youngest Emperor in Rome’s history.

On this day in 222AD Elagabalus, the most luxurious emperor of Rome, was murdered

Still only aged 18 and manoeuvered into power by the powerful women in his life, Elagabalus’ life was ended 1793 years ago today.

2027 years ago today: Augustus took the title Pontifex Maximus

Augustus, Rome’s first emperor, took the title “pontifex maximus” and combined in himself political and religious leadership.

1877 years ago today: Hadrian adopted Pius on the proviso Pius adopted Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus…

Today marks the anniversary of the adoption of Antoninus Pius by the emperor Hadrian, on condition that Pius adopted both Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus.

1899 years ago today: Trajan was awarded the title Parthicus

Emperor Trajan, or Imperator Caesar Nerva Traianus Divi Nervae filius Augustus, was born on September 18th AD 56 to Marcia and Marcus Ulpius Traianus, a prominent senator and general. Trajan acceded to the emperorship in AD 98, reigning until his death in AD 117. He fought in Germania and proved to be a gifted general under the reign of Nerva.