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Emperor Septimius Severus (145-211 AD), is while not one of the better known Roman Emperors, but he was one of the most important in the history of the Roman EmpireRome. He was a very capable man, a successful administrator, and an excelent general. He reformed the government of Rome and won many victories was extremely successful on the battlefield. Under Severus, the Roman Empire reached its greatest extent and he successfully founded a dynasty. Despite these very real achievements, many regard Septimius Severus as fatally undermining Rome.

Septimus Severus was a successful emperor and achieved numerous short term goalgoals, but some historians argue that ultimately his reign marked an important stage in Rome's decline. Severus created a ‘military monarchy’, marginalized the Senate and his expansion of the army weakened the economy. He was also at least partially responsible for the so-called ‘Crisis of the Third Century’ when the Roman Empire almost collapsed.  How did Septimius Severus's achievements undermine the long term stability of the Roman empire?