Introduction: The task; the evidence; the inscription; Severan literature; numismatic evidence; Severus, the ludi and the studies; the ludi saeculares; the Severan period
From the Antonine era to the Severan dynasty
Organising the ludi saeculares
The opening night and day
Day two: Women take the stage
The third night and day : the Empire of the Sun and the Moon
Closing acts : the Carmen Saeculare and the Trojan games
Appendix 1: The inscription commemorating Septimius Severus' ludi saeculares
Appendix 2: Records of the Severan ludi saeculares
Appendix 3: The rituals of the ludi saeculares of CE 204
Appendix 4: The history of the ludi saeculares.