Every 4th February in Albano Laziale we celebrate the great emperor Septimius Severus, born in 193 and who died on this day in 211 AD at Eburacum (now York) in Britain, to whom we owe our own history.
Few would know how to connect the name of this important Roman emperor with the city of Albano Laziale, yet our town exists in our current urban (and perhaps social) form thanks to him.
In fact, in 202 Septimius Severus settled the Legio II Parthica, his personal legionary bodyguard, in Albanum territory.
It was a unique case in Roman history of a legion based near Rome and facing the Via Appia. The strategically elevated position on the crater of Monte Albano allowed the view of the whole Agro Romano, from the Tiber to Anzio and the control of this access to the city of Rome.
The Emperor had a large camp built for his legionaries, of which today we can recognize and still see important remains: such as the imposing Porta Pretoria, the huge Cisterns and sections of walls and towers.
But connected to this camp he also built a grandiose Amphitheatre, very well maintained and that few people know is the largest in Lazio after the Colosseum where open-air shows are still performed and magnificent historical re-enactments are celebrated.
In nearby Ariccia, the presence of the legion is evidenced by the remains of the thermal buildings on the Via Appia Antica, by the necropolis inside the Chigi Park, which retains its characteristic cupae, and by the tombs to be rediscovered in the area of the Spolverini Hospital. .
Thanks to the legion's encampment, a village first arose and then a hamlet, then this became a town hall and, during the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque, the city grew in importance up to the present day.
The history of the legion allocated by Septimius Severus is so important that Albano Laziale even dedicated a special well kept and very interesting museum to it. A recent photographic exhibition was held by the local historical re-enactment group with collateral events, in the largest Civic Museum of Albano Laziale.
With the Legio Secunda Parthica Severiana we recall the epic of Septimius Severus that is well-known and appreciated not only by the public but also by institutions, museums and schools. We do philological research in the costumes, we prepare teaching with the exhibition tables and we do spectaculars of the figures and simulated fights, always with orders given strictly in Latin.
The group is invited to the most important events of Roman historical re-enactment and participates as a protagonist in events worthy of protection of the Lazio Region, such as the splendid "Atmospheres of the ancient Roman world" in Albano Laziale (June) and the "Feriae Latinae" which include the ascent of Monte Cavo along the Via Sacra and the celebrations in honour of Jupiter Laziale (May)following the description given by Cicero.
The group worthily represents the ancient history of this territory.
Anyone wishing to get in touch or want to be part of it, as a legionary, archer, dancer or ancient craftsman, can call Roberto Alessandrini (328 0993 319) or send an email to
In fact, in 202 Septimius Severus settled the Legio II Parthica, his personal legionary bodyguard, in Albanum territory.
It was a unique case in Roman history of a legion based near Rome and facing the Via Appia. The strategically elevated position on the crater of Monte Albano allowed the view of the whole Agro Romano, from the Tiber to Anzio and the control of this access to the city of Rome.
The Emperor had a large camp built for his legionaries, of which today we can recognize and still see important remains: such as the imposing Porta Pretoria, the huge Cisterns and sections of walls and towers.
But connected to this camp he also built a grandiose Amphitheatre, very well maintained and that few people know is the largest in Lazio after the Colosseum where open-air shows are still performed and magnificent historical re-enactments are celebrated.
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