Severus had fallen heavily under the influence of his Praetorian Prefect, Gaius Fulvius Plautianus, who after 197, according to Cassius Dio, comes to have almost total control of most branches of the imperial administration.
Plautianus's daughter, Publia Fulvia Plautilla, had been married in 202 to Severus's son, Caracalla.
Plautianus has become so powerful that Roman Empress Julia Domna and Caracalla have begun to be concerned.
The marriage between Caracalla and Fulvia Plautilla is not a happy one.
In fact, Caracalla loathes both her and her father, threatening to kill them after becoming sole emperor.
When Plautianus discovers this, he begins to plot to overthrow Severus' family.
His excessive power comes to an end on January 22, 205, after the emperor’s dying elder brother, Publius Septimius Geta, states to Severus that he hates Plautianus and warns him of Plautianus' treachery.
The imperial family summons him to the palace and orders his death.
After his death, Plautianus’ property is confiscated, his son of the same name, daughter and granddaughter are exiled to Sicily and then later to Lipari and his name is erased from public monuments.
Seven years later, his son, daughter and granddaughter will be strangled on Caracalla's orders.
However, the two following praefecti, including the jurist Aemilius Papinianus, will receive even larger powers.
