Otacilia Severa: Empress of Rome

Introduction

This article is meant to be a brief introduction to the life of Marcia Otacilia Severa. We will cover Octallia Severa’s Early life, The Gen Octallia, Empress Otacilia Severa, her tolerance of Christianity, and her death.

Octallia Severa Early Life

Marcia Otacilia Severa was a Roman Empress who lived during the 3rd century CE. She was born into a wealthy and influential family, and was married to the future Roman Emperor, Marcus Julius Philippus, also known as Philip the Arab. Despite her aristocratic background, very little is known about her early life, including her birthplace and upbringing.

Some historians suggest that she may have been of Syrian or African descent, but this is purely speculation. What is known is that she was a devoted wife, mother, and played an important role in her husband’s ascent to the imperial throne.

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Gen Octallia

The Octallia family was a prominent family in Ancient Rome, known for their great influence and wealth. They were primarily involved in the agricultural industry and were strong proponents of conservative Roman values. Many members of the family held positions of power in the government and military, including serving as senators and tribunes. The Octallia family played a significant role in shaping Rome’s political landscape, and their legacy can still be seen in the city today.

Otacilia Severa was not directly related to the gens Octallia but was instead a member of the gens Otacilia. However, it is possible that she may have had distant familial ties to the gens Octallia, as both were prominent Roman families during the same time period.

Ultimately, the exact nature of any potential familial connections between Marcia Otacilia Severa and the gens Octallia is not well known.

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Empress Otacilia Severa

Marcia Otacilia Severa served as Empress of Rome during the early 3rd century. Economic reforms and improvements to the public infrastructure of Rome marked her reign. One of her notable achievements was the construction of a public bathhouse, which became a popular gathering spot for the citizens of Rome. She also worked to improve the rights and status of women in Roman society.

Despite her contributions, her time as empress was brief, as Philip’s reign was marked by instability and eventually ended in his assassination. Nevertheless, Otacilia Severa remains a notable figure in Roman history for her efforts to improve the lives of Roman citizens.

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Tolerance Toward Christianity

Marcia Otacilia Severa was known for her religious tolerance towards Christianity. During her reign, she allowed Christians to practice their faith without persecution. This was a significant departure from the policies of her predecessor, who had been hostile towards Christians.

Severa’s tolerance towards Christianity reflected a growing trend in the Roman Empire towards religious diversity and acceptance. Despite the short duration of her reign, her legacy of religious tolerance continued to influence the attitudes of future Roman rulers toward Christians.

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Octallia Severa’s Death

Marcia Otacilia Severa, also known as Severina is believed to have died sometime during her husband’s reign, which lasted from 244 CE to 249 CE. Some historical accounts suggest that Severa may have died of natural causes, while others claim that she was executed for allegedly conspiring against her husband.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding her death, it is clear that Severa’s life ended tragically, cut short before she could make a lasting impact on history.

Her Husband would be assassinated not that long after her death. Making room for Decius to take control of the Roman Empire.

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Roman Coins

Each coin has a unique history attached to it. We carry Roman Denarius from various periods in the Roman Republic/Empire. Below is a link to all of the silver Roman coins we currently have in stock.

Empress of Rome Marcia Otacilia Severa early life and death Gen Octallia

Published by Invest in History Co.

We specialize in high-quality gold and silver coins. Focusing on Middle East, Eastern European, and Ancient coins. We carry Roman, Greek, Parthian, Phoenician, Celtic, Byzantine, Russian, Jewish, Islamic, and many other culture's coins.

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