Editing Severus II (section)

== Augustus, 306–307 ==
[[File:Severus II Aureus Joanneum.jpg|alt=''Aureus'' from 306 or 307 depicting Severus, Nicomedia mint|thumb|left|''Aureus'' from 306 or 307 depicting Severus, Nicomedia mint]]
When Constantius died in Britain in July 306, his son [[Constantine I]] was immediately acclaimed emperor by his soldiers. At the same time, Severus was promoted to ''[[Augustus (title)|augustus]]'' by [[Galerius]]. Lactantius reports that Galerius had done this to promote the older man to the higher office, while accepting the imperial symbols of Constantine and accepting him as a member of the [[Tetrarchy]], albeit with the rank of ''caesar''.<ref name=Hailes/> Despite his lower title, Constantine controlled most of the Western empire ([[Roman Britain|Britain]], [[Roman Gaul|Gaul]], and [[Hispania]]), leaving Severus with the control of [[Roman Italy|Italy]] and [[Africa (Roman province)|Western Africa]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Pohlsander |first=Hans |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-DCEKDw7I7cC |title=The Emperor Constantine |publisher=Routledge |year=2004a |isbn=0-415-31937-4 |location=London & New York |pages=16–17}}</ref>

When [[Maxentius]], the son of the retired emperor [[Maximian]], revolted at [[Rome]] in October, Galerius sent Severus to suppress the rebellion. Severus moved towards Rome from his capital, [[Mediolanum]], at the head of an army previously commanded by Maximian.<ref name="dimalo"/> Fearing the arrival of Severus, Maxentius offered Maximian the co-rule of the empire. Maximian accepted, and when Severus arrived under the walls of Rome and besieged it, his men deserted to Maxentius. Severus fled to [[Ravenna]], an impregnable position.<ref name="dimalo"/> Maximian offered to spare his life and treat him humanely if he surrendered peaceably, which he did around April 307.<ref name=":0">{{cite book |last=Barnes |first=Timothy D. |url=https://archive.org/details/barnes-new-empire |title=The New Empire of Diocletian and Constantine |publisher=Harvard University Press |year=1982 |isbn=0-674-28066-0 |place=Cambridge, MA |page=5 |doi=10.4159/harvard.9780674280670}}</ref> Despite Maximian's assurance, Severus was nonetheless displayed as a captive and later imprisoned at [[Tres Tabernae]], near the current [[Cisterna di Latina]].{{sfn|Barnes|1981|p=30}} One belief is that when Galerius himself invaded Italy to suppress Maxentius and Maximian, the former ordered Severus's death.<ref name="abtcs"/> His death probably took place in September or October, as documents with his name were still issued in September, while news of his death already arrived in Egypt by December.<ref name=":0" /> Lactantius reports that he was permitted to kill himself by opening his veins.<ref name=Hailes/> Another belief is that Severus was killed in Ravenna.<ref name="ancrom">''[[Origo Constantini Imperatoris]]'' (4th century)</ref><ref>''[[Annales Ecclesiastici]]'', vol. 1, pp. 769-770</ref>

The position of Western ''augustus'' remained officially vacant until the [[Conference of Carnuntum]] of November 308, in which [[Licinius]] was appointed as new emperor (although his western domains only consisted of the [[Balkans|Balkan Peninsula]]).{{sfn|Barnes|1981|pp=30–33}} Severus was survived by his son [[Flavius Severianus]], but he was later executed by Licinius for treason.{{sfn|Barnes|1981|p=64}}