8.19

Septimius Severus Emperor, 193–211 CE

Dio Cassius, Histories Book 75. Historia Augusta, Life of Septimius Severus.

(1) philosophiae scientiam ad plēnum adeptus: supply est, "acquired an extensive knowledge of philosophy." Ad plēnum is adverbial, see LS plenus I.A. Adeptus > adipiscor, meaning to acquire by effort, to get possession of (by overcoming natural obstacles), different from impetrare, to reach or obtain by victory over another's will; and nancisci, to get by accident.

Novissimum: the last of his reign

utque receptās prōvinciās omnī sēcūritāte mūnīret: purpose clause (AG 531)

vallum: the Antonine Wall in what is now Scotland. The term vallum applied properly either to the whole or a portion of the fortifications of a Roman camp. It is derived from vallus (a stake), and means the palisade which ran along the outer edge of the top of the agger (heap or mound of stones, earth, or other material) but it very frequently includes the agger also. The vallum, in the latter sense, together with the fossa or ditch which surrounded the camp outside of the vallum, formed a complete fortification (Smith, Antiquities, vallum). The Antonine vallum spanned approximately 63 kilometers (39 miles) and was about 3 meters (10 feet) high and 5 meters (16 feet) wide and included a series of forts. It was abandoned only eight years after completion.

per CXXXII passuum mīlia: according to Bird, the number is a scribal error, and the proper figure should be 32 miles.

(2) Eborācī: "at York," locative (AG 427.3)

imperiī annō sextō decimō: Septimius Severus died in 211 CE.

(3) Dīvus appellātus est: see Apotheosis

Bassiānum et Getam: Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Augustus (better known as Caracalla) and Lucius Septimius Geta (better known as Geta) were Septimius Severus' two surviving sons. According to Bird, "the deep hostility between the brothers increased after Severus' death and Geta was assassinated by Caracalla probably in December 212 CE, allegedly for plotting against him." See Dio Epit. 78.2.1; Victor Epit. 21.3; H.A. Carac. 2.4; H.A. Get. 6.1.