A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Roman emperor from A. D. 461-465. He was a Lucanian by birth, and owed his accession to Ricimer, who placed him on the throne of Rome after the assassination of Majorian. His proclamation took place at Ravenna, on the 19th or 20th of November, 461, and the Roman senate confirmed the election soon afterwards. He was an obscure man, and his name is not mentioned previous to the murder of Majorian, of which he was one of the principal agents. No acts of his reign are recorded but one, namely his condemnation of Agrippinus. and the subsequent pardon which he granted to him in 462. Leo, the Eastern emperor, declined to acknowledge him, but afterwards complied with the wishes of the powerful Ricimer, to whom we refer for the political events of the time. Severus died in Rome on the 15th of August, 465, or perhaps some weeks later. (Idatius, Chronicon; Chronicon Alexandr. ; Evagr. 2.7; Theoph. p. 97; Jornand. De Reb. Goth. 100.45.)

[W.P]