I note with interest the advertisements on the buses and elsewhere for Constantine the Great, York's Roman Emperor, and the new exhibition in the city.

However, can we not spare a thought for Lucius Septimius Severus Pertinax Augustus who died of natural causes about 100 years before Constantine (on February 4 211) while in York.

A year earlier, Septimius Severus, as he was known, accepted the title Britannicus after two years successful campaigning in Britain, based mostly here in York.

He also was known as Parthicus following victories in the Middle East.

Like Constantine, he has his own surviving triumphal arch in the centre of modern Rome.

York's own Roman military hero, perhaps?

Michael Wilson,

Park Gate,

Strensall.

Updated: 09:44 Monday, March 27, 2006