Conference of Rights

Historia Augusta, Septimus Severus 16.6–17.1

He [Severus] then returned victorious to Syria. But when the senators offered him a triumph [a public celebration] for the Parthian campaign, he declined it because he was so afflicted with gout that he was unable to stand upright in his chariot. Notwithstanding this, he gave permission for his son to celebrate a triumph; for the senate had decreed to him a triumph over Judaea because of the successes achieved by Severus in Syria.

Next, when he had reached Antioch, he bestowed the toga virilis [white toga signifying manhood] upon his elder son [Caracalla] and appointed him consul as colleague to himself; and without further delay, while still in Syria, the two entered upon their consulship.

After this, having first raised his soldiers’ pay, he turned his steps toward Alexandria, and while on his way there he conferred numerous rights upon the communities of Palestine. He forbade conversion to Judaism under heavy penalties and enacted a similar law with regard to the Christians.

Historia Augusta, Antoninus Caracalla 1.4–8

He himself in his boyhood was winsome and clever, respectful to his parents and courteous to his parents’ friends, beloved by the people, popular with the senate, and well able to further his own interests in winning affection. Never did he seem backward in letters or slow in deeds of kindness, never niggardly in largess or tardy in forgiving—at least while under his parents. For example, if ever he saw condemned criminals pitted against wild beasts, he wept or turned away his eyes, and this was more than pleasing to the people.

Once, when a child of seven, hearing that a certain playmate of his had been severely scourged for adopting the religion of the Jews, he long refused to look at either the boy’s father or his own, because he regarded them as responsible for the scourging. It was at his plea, moreover, that their ancient rights were restored to the citizens of Antioch and Byzantium, with whom Severus had become angry because they had given aid to Niger [the Roman emperor Gaius Pescennius Niger (r. 193–194 CE)].