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Septimius Severus: The African Emperor

Septimius Severus: The African Emperor

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About This Event

Verulamium Museum in St Albans will present 'Septimius Severus: The African Emperor' on 23 November 2026. The museum will open at 6:30pm, with the talk commencing at 7:00pm, followed by a Q&A session. Admission details will be provided on-site.

The museum will be open from 6:30pm for your to explore. The talk will begin at 7pm for approximately an hour, followed by a Q+A. Please be aware that the car park outside the museum now requires a Pay and Display ticket in the evenings. Events , Adults Septimius Severus was the African emperor. Born in the blistering heat of a North African spring in Leptis Magna, AD 145, he died in the freezing cold of a northern British winter in York in AD 211. A giant of an emperor, whose career can be counted in superlatives, Severus was in power at the height of Rome's might. He led the largest army to ever campaign in Britain, comprising 50,000 men, part of a Roman military establishment which peaked at 33 legions under his rule. Born into the richest family, in the richest part of the Roman Empire, Severus monumentalised his rule across the empire. He visited - and often fought in - every region. Where he did, he left a mighty legacy in the built environment, for example in Rome where much of the forum Romanum and most of the imperial palaces are Severan. In North Africa, his hometown of Leptis Magna is all Severan, as are the Roman cities in the Atlas Mountains. In London, the land walls that still define the City's Square Mile were delineated under his rule. Visitors to the undercroft at York Minster can stand where he died. Septimius Severus was one of the greatest warrior emperors, a hard man who almost died in battle several times and whose attitude is reflected in his deathbed advice to two sons: 'Be of one mind with your family, enrich the soldiers, and despise the rest.' Special Offer: Mix and match 4 in-person tickets across our entire talks programme and get the 5th on free. (This is not a loyalty programme - all tickets must be purchased in one transaction.) Meet the Speaker Dr Simon Elliott FSA is an award winning and best-selling archaeologist, historian and broadcaster. He holds a PhD in Classics and Archaeology from the University of Kent, a Masters degree in Archaeology from UCL’s Institute of Archaeology, and a Masters Degree in War Studies from KCL. You might also like 14 Sep Verulamium Museum Roman Britain in Twenty Towns This event has finished 08 Oct Verulamium Museum Roman and Iron Age Silchester Book Tickets Here 15 Dec Verulamium Museum io Saturnalia: Happy Christmas the Roman Way! Book Tickets Here

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Frequently asked questions

Septimius Severus: The African Emperor takes place on Monday, 23 November 2026 at 19:00.

Septimius Severus: The African Emperor is held at Verulamium Museum in St Albans (St Michael's Street, St Albans AL3 4SW).

Yes — hotels within walking distance of Verulamium Museum can be compared using the accommodation search further down this page.

Tickets for Septimius Severus: The African Emperor can be booked via stalbansmuseums.org.uk using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.