Didius Julianus
Marcus Didius Julianus entered the world on the 29th of January 133. His father was Quintus Petronius Didius Severus, a man from Mediolanum, now known as Milan. His mother was Aemilia Clara, a North African woman of Roman descent who belonged to a family of consular rank. This background placed him within the upper echelons of Roman society from birth. He had two brothers named Didius Proculus and Didius Nummius Albinus. Domitia Calvilla, the mother of emperor Marcus Aurelius, raised him during his early years. Her influence helped secure his appointment to the vigintivirate at a very young age. This office served as the first step toward public distinction for any ambitious Roman nobleman.
Julianus held several key offices including quaestor and aedile before becoming praetor around 162. He commanded Legio XXII Primigenia in Mogontiacum, modern-day Mainz. In 170 he became prefect of Gallia Belgica where he served five years. He repelled an invasion by the Chauci tribe dwelling near the river Weser. This military success led to his consulship in 175 alongside Pertinax. He further distinguished himself fighting against the Chatti tribe. Julianus governed both Dalmatia and Germania Inferior. Commodus later made him prefect charged with distributing money to Italy's poor. Modern historians view this role as a demotion due to political fears about Julianus' growing power. He was accused of conspiring against Commodus but the jury acquitted him instead punishing his accuser. Later he governed Bithynia and succeeded Pertinax as proconsul of North Africa.
Pertinax died on the 28th of March 193 allowing the Praetorian Guard to sell the throne to the highest bidder. Titus Flavius Claudius Sulpicianus began making offers from within the Praetorian camp. Julianus arrived at the camp but his entrance was barred so he shouted out offers to the guards. After hours of bidding Sulpicianus promised 20,000 sesterces to every soldier. Julianus offered 25,000 fearing that Sulpicianus would gain the throne. The guards accepted Julianus' offer and threw open the gates proclaiming him emperor. The Senate declared him emperor under threat from the military. His wife Manlia Scantilla and daughter Didia Clara both received the title Augusta. This auction marked a shocking departure from traditional succession methods in Rome.
Julianus immediately reversed Pertinax's monetary reforms by devaluing Roman currency upon accession. He reduced silver content in the denarius from 87% down to 75%. This nearly matched the adulterated amount present during Commodus reign. Because he bought his position rather than acquiring it through conquest or succession he became deeply unpopular. When appearing in public crowds greeted him with groans shouting robber and parricide. A mob once obstructed his progress to the Capitol pelting him with large stones. News of this anger spread across the Empire causing three generals to rebel. Pescennius Niger in Syria Septimius Severus in Pannonia and Clodius Albinus in Britain each declared themselves emperor. They refused to accept Julianus authority as emperor. Each general could muster three legions against the new ruler.
The Praetorian Guard rarely fought field battles so Julianus marched them into Campus Martius for drilling. They practiced construction of fortifications and field works despite being undertrained compared to Severus legionaries. Severus secured support from Albinus declaring him Caesar before seizing Ravenna and its fleet. Tullius Crispinus sent to negotiate was killed while trying to slow Severus march on Rome. Cassius Dio claimed the Praetorian Guard tried fighting back but were crushed. Modern historians believe they simply abandoned Julianus deserting en masse. Julianus attempted negotiating with Severus offering to share empire but Severus ignored these overtures. More cities in Italy supported Severus claim as he marched forward. The Senate passed a motion proclaiming Severus emperor after receiving pardons from remaining soldiers. These soldiers surrendered actual murderers of Pertinax in exchange for clemency. The Senate sentenced Julianus to death awarding divine honours to Pertinax instead.
Julianus died in the palace by a soldier's hand on the 2nd of June 193 AD. He had ruled for only 66 days according to Cassius Dio. His last words asked what evil he had done or whom he had killed. His body went to his wife and daughter who buried it in great-grandfather tomb near fifth milestone on Via Labicana. The Senate passed damnatio memoriae motion condemning Julianus legacy completely. Severus dismissed the entire Praetorian Guard executing soldiers who killed Pertinax. Only one prefect and son-in-law Cornelius Repentinus remained loyal until the end. This final act erased any chance of restoring order through traditional means. The rapid collapse demonstrated how fragile imperial authority could become without military backing.
Julianus repelled invasions by Chatti and Chauci tribes protecting Rome border provinces initially. These two tribes were harbingers of larger Germanic migrations finishing only in sixth century AD. From reign of Marcus Aurelius Rome faced constant incursions from descendants of these tribes. As emperor Didius Julianus failed passing major policy reforms during short reign. Currency devaluation was comparatively minor but restarted trend abated under Pertinax reign. Trend continued under Severan dynasty on far larger scale destroying confidence in Roman currency. This led to rampant hyperinflation causing widespread economic upheaval across Empire. His blatant purchase of throne shattered illusions of normalcy remaining in Roman state. Long term consequences included Crisis of Third Century and Migration Period challenges. Economic instability persisted for centuries following his brief rule.
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Common questions
When was Marcus Didius Julianus born and who were his parents?
Marcus Didius Julianus entered the world on the 29th of January 133. His father was Quintus Petronius Didius Severus from Mediolanum and his mother was Aemilia Clara, a North African woman of Roman descent.
How did Marcus Didius Julianus become emperor in 193 AD?
The Praetorian Guard sold the throne to the highest bidder after Pertinax died on the 28th of March 193. Julianus offered 25,000 sesterces per soldier which exceeded the 20,000 sesterces promised by Titus Flavius Claudius Sulpicianus.
What happened to Roman currency under the rule of Marcus Didius Julianus?
Julianus reduced silver content in the denarius from 87% down to 75% upon accession. This devaluation nearly matched the adulterated amount present during Commodus reign and restarted economic instability trends.
Who defeated Marcus Didius Julianus and when did he die?
Septimius Severus marched on Rome and the Senate sentenced Julianus to death on the 2nd of June 193 AD. He ruled for only 66 days before dying in the palace by a soldier's hand.
Why was the legacy of Marcus Didius Julianus condemned by the Senate?
The Senate passed a damnatio memoriae motion condemning his legacy completely because he bought his position rather than acquiring it through conquest or succession. His blatant purchase of the throne shattered illusions of normalcy remaining in the Roman state.
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5 references cited across the entry
- 2newsFriends, donors and countrymenVicki Leon
- 3webDidius JulianusLivius.org