Editing Septimius Severus (section)

=== Public service ===
[[File:Septimius Severus - Münzkabinett, Berlin - 5479502.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|350x350px|Dynastic [[aureus]] of Septimius Severus, minted in 202. The reverse feature the portraits of [[Geta (emperor)|Geta]] (right), [[Julia Domna]] (centre) and [[Caracalla]] (left).<ref>Mattingly & Sydenham, ''Roman Imperial Coinage, vol. IV, part I,'' p. 115.</ref> Inscription: SEVER[US] P[IUS] AVG[USTUS] P[ONTIFEX] M[AXIMUS], TR[IBUNUS] P[LEBIS] X, CO[N]S[UL] III / FELICITAS SAECVLI.]]
Severus sought a public career in [[Rome]] in around 162. At the recommendation of his relative Gaius Septimius Severus, the emperor [[Marcus Aurelius]] ({{reign|161|180}}) granted him entry into the senatorial ranks.<ref>Birley (1999), p.&nbsp;39.</ref> Membership in the senatorial order was a prerequisite to attain positions within the ''[[cursus honorum]]'' and to gain entry into the Roman Senate. Nevertheless, it appears that Severus' career during the 160s met with some difficulties.<ref name="birley-40">Birley (1999), p.&nbsp;40.</ref>

It is likely that he served as a ''[[vigintisexviri|vigintivir]]'' in Rome, overseeing road maintenance in or near the city, and he may have appeared in court as an advocate.<ref name=birley-40/> At the time of Marcus Aurelius, he was the State Attorney (''Advocatus fisci'').<ref>Smith, ''Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology'', London 1870, v. 3, p. 117.</ref> However, he omitted the [[Military tribune|military tribunate]] from the ''cursus honorum'' and had to delay his [[quaestor]]ship until he had reached the required minimum age of 25.<ref name=birley-40/> To make matters worse, the [[Antonine Plague]] swept through the capital in 166.<ref name="Birley 1999, p. 45">Birley (1999), p.&nbsp;45.</ref>

With his career at a halt, Severus decided to temporarily return to Leptis, where the climate was healthier.<ref name="Birley 1999, p. 45"/> According to the ''[[Historia Augusta]]'', a usually unreliable source, he was prosecuted for [[adultery]] during this time but the case was ultimately dismissed. At the end of 169, Severus was of the required age to become a quaestor and journeyed back to Rome. On 5{{spaces}}December, he took office and was officially enrolled in the [[Roman Senate]].<ref>Birley (1999), p.&nbsp;46.</ref> Between 170 and 180 his activities went largely unrecorded, in spite of the fact that he occupied an impressive number of posts in quick succession. The Antonine Plague had thinned the senatorial ranks and, with capable men now in short supply, Severus' career advanced more steadily than it otherwise might have.<ref>Birley (1999), p.&nbsp;49.</ref>

The sudden death of his father necessitated another return to Leptis Magna to settle family affairs. Before he was able to leave Africa, [[Mauri]] tribesmen invaded southern Spain. Control of the province was handed over to the emperor, while the Senate gained temporary control of [[Sardinia]] [[Senatorial province|as compensation]]. Thus, Septimius Severus spent the remainder of his second term as quaestor on the island of Sardinia.<ref>Birley (1999), p.&nbsp;50.</ref>

In 173, Severus' cousin Gaius Septimius Severus was appointed [[proconsul]] of the province of [[Africa Proconsularis]] and chose Severus as one of his two ''[[legatus|legati pro praetore]]'', a senior military appointment.<ref>Birley (1999), p.&nbsp;51.</ref> Following the end of this term, Septimius Severus returned to Rome, taking up office as [[tribune of the plebs]], a senior legislative position, with the distinction of being the ''candidatus'' of the emperor.<ref name=birley-52>Birley (1999), p.&nbsp;52.</ref>