Septimius Severus, Roman Emperor from 193 to 211, granted the city municipal status, under a new Greek name, Eleutheropolis, meaning "City of the Free", and giving its citizens the ius italicum and exempting them from taxes.
Septimius Severus, Roman Emperor from 193 to 211, granted the city municipal status, using a new Greek name, Eleutheropolis, signifying "City of the Free", and granting its inhabitants ius italicum and tax relief.