Libius Severus

Libius Severus, often referred to as Severus III, served as the Western Roman emperor from November nineteen, four hundred sixty-one, until his death on November fourteen, four hundred sixty-five. Hailing from Lucania, he was the fourth in a line of rulers known as the 'Shadow Emperors,' who emerged following the fall of the Valentinianic dynasty in four hundred fifty-five. Severus ascended to the throne after the overthrow of his predecessor, Majorian, by the powerful magister militum, Ricimer.

During his nearly four-year reign, Severus faced significant challenges, particularly in maintaining diplomatic relations and asserting control over the empire's provinces outside Italy. His attempts to gain recognition from the eastern emperor Leo were unsuccessful, and the alliance forged by Majorian with the Vandal king Gaiseric deteriorated as the Vandals launched raids on Italian territories. In regions such as Gaul and Dalmatia, officials loyal to Majorian resisted Severus's authority, while Northern Italy experienced invasions by the Alans.

Severus remains a largely enigmatic figure in history, with scant information available regarding his life and character. The ancient sources provide little insight, and due to Ricimer's substantial influence, it is challenging to attribute any specific imperial actions directly to Severus. This ambiguity has led to ongoing debates among scholars regarding the extent of Ricimer's control over the imperial affairs during Severus's rule.