On New Year's Eve of AD 192, the Roman Empire witnessed a massacre in Rome that would trigger its collapse. Emperor Commodus ordered the killing of citizens to secure his position as sole consul for the coming year. His paranoia had grown after the death of his close associate Cleander, leading him to execute members of the aristocracy without trial. Three nobles named Eclectus, Marcia, and Laetus feared they were next on the list. They conspired to strangle the emperor before he could carry out more bloodshed. The assassins then declared Pertinax the new Caesar, hoping to restore order to a fractured state.
Pertinax's Brief Reign
Pertinax rose through military ranks to become proconsul of Africa before ascending to imperial power. He was one of the few high-ranking officials remaining after the New Year's Eve massacre wiped out much of the Senate. His discipline stood in sharp contrast to the chaotic rule of his predecessor. However, he lost support when he refused to pay the donativum promised to the Praetorian Guard. He also began revoking privileges granted under Commodus. When confronted by mutinous soldiers, he attempted to reason with them but failed. The guard killed him while he tried to negotiate peace. He held the throne for only three months.The Auction For Power
Didius Julianus purchased the title of emperor from the Praetorian Guard after Pertinax's death. He competed against Sulpicianus, Pertinax's father-in-law, by promising higher payments to the soldiers. Public opinion turned against him as mobs called for Pescennius Niger to intervene. Septimius Severus, stationed in Pannonia, reached Rome first with his troops. He executed Julianus on the 1st of June, just two months after Pertinax died. The Senate declared Severus Caesar, but the eastern provinces remained hostile to this new arrangement.