Severus II

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

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Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/severus-ii

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Who wrote Severus II?Shared control of the western Roman Empire, notably with Constantine I
2. What is the full imperial name?Flavius Valerius Severus
3. What is the imperial role?Roman Emperor and Augustus within the Tetrarchy
4. How did Severus II become emperor?He started as a Caesar, a junior emperor, and later became an Augustus, the senior emperor. His rise happened after Diocletian set up the Tetrarchy to keep the empire stable. He was chosen to help govern the western half of the empire.
5. Why did Severus II fight a war?Severus II had to fight against Maxentius, who claimed the throne in Italy. The war was about who should be emperor and about keeping the Tetrarchy working. Severus II's army could not beat Maxentius's forces.

Tetrarchy: A system of Roman imperial government established by Diocletian, dividing rule among four emperors.
Usurper: An individual who unlawfully seizes and holds power, typically the throne of a government.
Augustus: The title of a senior Roman emperor, as opposed to a Caesar (junior emperor).
Civil War: A conflict between organized groups within the same state or country.