Elated by success, the army became enervated by luxury, and felt themselves raised above their subjects by their dangerous privileges, so that they became incapable of military fatigue, oppressive to the country, and impatient of a just subordination.
As Severus ruled Rome as his possession and the army became a threat, he was also faced with the conflict between his two sons Caracalla and Geta, who despised each other.
Severus foretold that the weaker of his two sons would fall a sacrifice to the stronger; who would in his turn, be ruined by his own vices.