The Prince

by

Niccolò Machiavelli

L. Septimius Severus Character Analysis

A military commander under Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, Severus became emperor of Rome in 193 A.D. Machiavelli praises Severus as a "remarkable and outstanding . . . new prince" and applauds his ability "to act the part of both a fox and a lion." Severus' prowess allowed him to establish and maintain his new status as emperor.
Get the entire The Prince LitChart as a printable PDF.
The Prince PDF

L. Septimius Severus Character Timeline in The Prince

The timeline below shows where the character L. Septimius Severus appears in The Prince. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 19
Laws and Arms Theme Icon
Fortune and Prowess Theme Icon
Goodwill and Hatred Theme Icon
Virtue vs. Vice Theme Icon
The Masses and The Elite Theme Icon
In contrast, Commodus, Severus, Antoninus Caracalla, and Maximinus, who were all "extremely cruel" and greedy rulers, met "unhappy ends,"... (full context)
Laws and Arms Theme Icon
Fortune and Prowess Theme Icon
Goodwill and Hatred Theme Icon
Virtue vs. Vice Theme Icon
The Masses and The Elite Theme Icon
Machiavelli elevates Severus, who as a new prince ably acted "the part of both a fox and a... (full context)
Laws and Arms Theme Icon
Goodwill and Hatred Theme Icon
Virtue vs. Vice Theme Icon
Severus' son, Antoninus Caracalla, was also a "military man" who won the devotion of the soldiers.... (full context)
Laws and Arms Theme Icon
Fortune and Prowess Theme Icon
Goodwill and Hatred Theme Icon
Virtue vs. Vice Theme Icon
...cannot imitate the actions of Marcus Aurelius, nor is he bound to follow those of Severus." Instead, Machiavelli recommends that a prince carefully combine varying models of conduct, selecting from Severus... (full context)