[2] Her name indicates that she was born into the gens Manlia, which if correct, indicates an illustrious patrician ancestry.

Manlia Scantilla married the senator Didius Julianus before his succession.

[3] On that day, Scantilla and her daughter were awarded the title of Augusta by decree of the Roman Senate.

[4] Scantilla enjoyed her title and status for less than three months because Julianus was killed on 1 June 193.

Within a month of Severus' accession to the throne, Scantilla died in obscurity.