The Day The Throne Was Sold

[caldrail]

In AD192 the megalomania of Emperor Commodus was threatening to become murderous on a large scale, and those closest to him attempted to poison him in December of that year. This was unsuccessful so an athlete named Narcissus was sent in to strangle him. Amongst those who knew of the plot was an elderly city offical named Pertinax, a succesful ex-soldier and son of a freedman, who was then offered the throne and reluctantly accepted. A payment of twelve thousand sestercii to each Praetorian won him the necessary support.

 

Pertinax attempted to curb the excesses of the Praetorian Guard, and made efforts to prevent further embezzlement by imperial freedmen. The public were delighted but too many people were now aggrieved at the termination of their perks. On the evening of 28th March AD193, drunken Praetorians broke into the palace to confront the emperor. He tried bravely to face them down and calm the situation, until one praetorian lunged forward with a sword and the spell was broken. Pertinax was cut to pieces by an angry mob. He had ruled for eighty seven days.

 

The guilty praetorians fled back to barracks but realised they held the balance of power. In typically greedy fashion, they decided to auction the throne to the highest bidder and shouted news of the sale from the surrounding wall of the barracks. Most people were too nervous or disgusted to rise to this, but one man named Marcus Didius Julianus was egged on by family and friends and made himself known to the Praetorians.

 

Didius Julianus was a man with a repectable senatorial career behind him, having achieved Proconsulship of Africa four years previously. By all accounts he had no shortage of money either. He was notorious for his hedonistic lifestyle including appearances in the arena as a gladiator. The Praetorians dropped a ladder and allowed him into the barracks.

 

Another contender arrived almost at the same time. Titus Flavius Sulpicianus, the father of Flavia Titiana, Pertinax's wife. Sulpicianus had also been a consul before and currently enjoyed the office of Prefect of Rome. He too made himself known but the Praetorians feared treachery and refused him entry despite a promise of twenty thousand sestercii for each praetorian if they gave him the throne.

 

Julianus however offered the Praetorians any sum of money they wanted. He reached an agreement to pay each Praetorian an astonishing twenty five thousand sestercii, and that the payment would be made immediately. Julianus promised to restore honours to Commodus and to end the restrictions on the Praetorians made by Pertinax. He also reminded the Praetorians that if Sulpicianus won the auction then he would no doubt seek revenge for Pertinax's death. Julianus was declared the winner.

 

The new emperor emerged from the barracks surrounded by Praetorians in full battle dress, clearly expecting resistance. Both the Senate and the public made their disapproval known. Julianus was booed and jeered by people in the street, and he even resorted to travelling discreetly around the city.

 

The promised donative to the Praetorians was never paid. Support for Julianus had virtually disappeared. It didn't take long for news of the death of Pertinax to reach the far corners of the empire either. Already there were stirrings in the provinces and three men rose as challengers to the throne.

 

First was Gaius Prescennius Niger, Governor of Syria. In the middle of April AD193 four syrian legions proclaimed him Emperor. Niger was delayed at Antioch, his temporary capital, while he gathered more support.

 

Second was Decimus Clodius Albinus, Governor of Britain, who declared himself Emperor in April with the backing of three legions and auxillary support.

 

Third was Septimius Severus, Governor of Upper Pannonia. A grand total of sixteen legions, the entire Rhine and Danube army, were behind him after soldiers proclaimed him Emperor at Carnuntum (Near Vienna). Severus was a better politician than his rivals and reached an agreement with Clodius Albinus, promising to make him 'Caesar', a chosen successor, in return for his support.

 

Severus marched south with twelve legions. News of this reached Rome and Julianus attempted to forestall the looming disaster. He ordered the Praetorian Guard to dig defenses around Rome, which at that time had none. The Praetorians were not used to manual labour and made every excuse to avoid it. He then sent assassins who failed to reach the heavily guarded Severus. Julianus went before the Senate and insisted that Severus and Niger were made enemies of Rome, offering an amnesty to their soldiers if they defected.

 

Finally, in desperation, Julianus asked the Senate to appoint Septimius Severus as joint ruler of Rome. By this time Severus was near the city, and the Senate not only rejected Julianus's power bargain, but also passed a motion giving divine honours to Pertinax and sentencing Julianus to death, clearly hoping to curry favour with Severus.

 

An officer was ordered to carry out the execution. He found Didius Julianus at his home on 1st June AD193, abandoned by his family and slaves. Cassius Dio recorded that Julianus went down on his knees and pleaded for his life. "But what evil have I done? Who have I killed?". The officer was unmoved by what he regarded as a display of cowardice, and promptly killed him. Julianus had ruled for sixty six days.

 

Julianus's body was given to Manlia Scantilla (his wife), and Didia Clara (his daughter), who buried it in his great-grandfathers tomb on the Via Labica.

 

Septimius Severus, the first emperor of North African origin, marched into Rome in triumph nine days after Julianus's death. The Praetorian Guard were exiled and replaced by Severus's own men, whilst the ringleaders were executed. Niger was defeated within a year, and beheaded in the suburbs of Antioch. Albinus rebelled when Severus declared his own son Caracalla as 'Caesar'. After losing a decisive battle at Lyons in AD197, Albinus committed suicide. Twenty nine senators who'd supported these rivals were executed. Septimius Severus was now the unpopular and uncontested Emperor of Rome.

 

What can we make of this episode of roman history? As an act of folly its hard to beat. Julianus bought the throne, a heinous sin in roman eyes, since no self-respecting leader of Rome would dirty his hands on a grubby business deal. But it wasn't even that - Julianus bought the throne as an extravagance, a diversion, something to amuse him and his peers. He bought it because he could. Worse still he lost the only support he had by failing to pay the Praetorians an agreed sum. This was a man who had achieved senatorial success yet achieved absolutely nothing as Emperor. It was utter foolishness.

 

To all intents and purposes there was a power vacuum after the death of Pertinax, with far more able politicians in the provinces seeing a throne ripe for the taking. Niger was too slow. He waited at Antioch for more support when it might have been better to move on Rome immediately. He was after all far more likely to win senate approval than his rivals. Albinus was bought off with a political deal and might be considered too trusting. By the time he reacted Severus was already in a position to defeat him. But that was always going to be the problem. Septimius Severus was a crafty politican who knew how to secure power. In the end, it was always going to be Severus who would win eventually.

[Ursus]

Another excellent article.

[Divi Filius]

The amount of sestercii seems astounding. I wonder how much of a role inflation played in it.

[Northern Neil]

Roaringly good article, Caldrail. Even though the Severan Dynasty was fairly stable, from what I have read here, perhaps the seeds of the 3rd century anarchy were thus sown,at the end of the 2nd century.

Edited April 28, 2007 by Northern Neil

[Segestan]

<<<<<In AD192 the megalomania of Emperor Commodus was threatening to become murderous on a large scale, and those closest to him attempted to poison him in December of that year. This was unsuccessful so an athlete named Narcissus was sent in to strangle him.>>>>

 

No... he was poisoned by his concubine Marcia , Eclectus his Chamberlain, and Laetus his Praetorian praefect , who alarmed by the fate of their companions and predecessors , resolved to prevent the destruction which every hour hung over their heads, either from the mad caprice of the tyrant , or the sudden indignation of the people. Marcia seized the occasion of presenting a draught of wine to her lover , after he had fatigued himself hunting wild beasts. Commodus retired to sleep; but while he was laboring with the effects of the poison and drunkenness , a robust youth, by profession a wrestler, entered his chamber , and strangled him without resistance.. ( December 31st AD 192. Commodus was Not a

[caldrail]

No... he was poisoned by his concubine Marcia , Eclectus his Chamberlain, and Laetus his Praetorian praefect

That was the original plot. Unfortunately it didn't kill him, merely made him violently ill. Narcissus was indeed sent in to finish him off the night before one of his performances in the arena.

 

Commodus was Not a

[caldrail]

Even though the Severan Dynasty was fairly stable, from what I have read here, perhaps the seeds of the 3rd century anarchy were thus sown,at the end of the 2nd century.

I've given that some thought. The events that happened in AD193 were unusual even for the romans. Prescennius Niger and Septimius Severus were co-consuls previously just the same as Pertinax. Sulpicianus, and Julianus had been. All the leading characters in this deadly farce were experienced politicians. When the power vacuum was spotted, all of them made a play for it in one way or another. Thats typically roman. Their society was geared toward political success and the military glory that preceded it. Young men of good family were brought up to compete in a society known for its cut-throat cultural arena.

 

There are two points in this episode that make it stand out. On the one hand, the Praetorians did not plot and scheme to replace the emperor with someone more suitable. This was a knee-jerk reaction, a display of discontent by undisciplined palace guards. They killed Pertinax in a drunken rage without any plan to replace him. To be fair, it should be pointed out than in most other cases it was only a small number of praetorians, usually involving their prefect, who would plot.

 

On the other hand, the throne was not given or taken as romans tended to do - it was bought. Although the deal was never completed the act was done in public and for that reason impossible to sweep under the carpet.

 

As often happens, 'bad' rulers like Commodus breed an atmosphere where other men jostle for position to assume the throne at the earliest opportunity. Pertinax? Well to those governors out in the sticks he was an old man put in to smooth things over. He was not the man to hold on the throne when the others had legionary support. Niger was the popular choice of italians. Severus was a respected commander with the backing of a sizeable portion of the roman army, which more than made up for his lack of political support. Albinus was more of an opportunist I think but notice that Severus bought him off quickly. He knew Albinus was likely to go for it. Whats this? That roisterer Julianus has bought the throne? Who's he trying to kid? He's only got the praetorians behind him and who can trust them?

 

No - I don't think the seeds of later anarchy were sown here. This episode was a symptom of the roman malaise but made worse because no-one had expected Pertinax to be cut down like that without a successor waiting in the wings. Given similar circumstances, this episode could have ocurred at any stage of the empire. It really was down to political opportunism in typical roman fashion. Severus, with a more astute approach and a much bigger army, was well placed to assume the purple.

Edited April 29, 2007 by caldrail

[Gaius Octavius]

A few more insights:

 

http://www.unrv.com/decline-of-empire/pertinax.php

[Primus Pilus]

A few more insights:

 

http://www.unrv.com/decline-of-empire/pertinax.php

 

I actually wrote a version of the Didius Julianus affair some time ago... I'll see if I can get Moon to publish it to add to the discussion here.

 

Here it is...

Didius Julianus

[Segestan]

Commodus , at the death of his father Aurelius, was actively engaged on the banks of the Danube; but growing weary of a military life; he concluded a hasty peace with the barbarians, and returning to Rome , abandoned the reins of government to Perennis , the head of the Praetorian guard, that he might better enjoy the luxuries of his station. His life was, however, soon endangered by the jealousy of his sister Lucilla. This plot was followed by another , in which the military chief endeavored to dethrone his master, but was detected and executed. The Freedman Cleander , a person of Thracian origin, being next promoted to the rank of favorite, carried his audacity almost to madness , inscribing newly manumitted slaves on the roll of the senate, and electing twenty-five consuls in a single year. He was put to death by Commodus to quiet a sedition of the populace.

The mistrust of Commodus , and his ever growing cruelty gradually reached such an excess that he would be confidence in no one; and his chief delight was to descend armed into the public arena and contend with wild beast , or with gladiators whose only protection was a sword of lead( Not Wood how would that have appeared?) The people were so changed , that while the emperor declared by his edicts that his reign was the

[caldrail]

Without going into a far more lengthy essay on the character of Commodus : he was mild natured, and simplistic in his youth . He was the beloved son of Marcus and was educated from his early youth by the wisest men, the best minds of the Rome World groomed to take the throne in the highest honors of virtue and wisdom . He therefore , had No reason for a detestation of humanity. That unfortunately changed, at least in his mind..

 

Commodus was not wise or virtuous in the slightest. He let others run the empire and turned to his own jaded pleasures, mostly concerned with butchering animals in the arena not to mention a fair few gladiators. He was left-handed and very proud of his ability to fight in such a manner. The praetorians were pretty much allowed to do what they wanted - which meant very little except exploit their position. The freedmen who took care of administration were embezzling cash like nothing else. Nothing was done to prevent it. Mild-natured? Sorry, I think you have the wrong Commodus.

 

Here's what others have to say..

 

....Our history now descends from a kingdom of gold to one of iron and rust, as affairs did for the romans of that day....

 

Cassius Dio

 

....He inaugurated a reign of terror, had friends of Marcus Aurelius executed, and let others govern on his behalf in order to give himself over to debauchery....

 

....While Commodus took no interest in anything but chariot races and gladiatorial fights....

 

....Conspiracies real or imagined, murders, favourites, concubines (especially Marcia), and intrigues formed the political fabric of these years. Commodus increasingly revealed signs of a religious mania whose symptoms had appeared early in his reign....

 

A History of Rome - Glay, Voisin, Bohec

 

....Commodus then inaugurated a reign of terror, which involved the exile and execution of his wife, Crispina....

 

....In AD189 he made Cleander the scapegoat for a famine engineered by a jealous official, and had him killed to appease the angry populace....

 

....He may be compared to NERO or CALIGULA for his cruelty and ostentation and to DOMITIAN for the manner of his death and the succession, which was decided by his assassins....

 

Who's Who in the Roman World - John Hazel

 

....He demanded from the Senate that they deify him as a living god, sometimes associating himself with Jupiter. His favourite divine persona however was Hercules, and he gave orders that he should be called Hercules Son of Zeus instead of Commodus Son of Marcus, and took to wearing a lion skin and carrying a club on public occaisions....

 

....Commodus did not restrict his attentions to his wife, but is said to have enjoyed the company of numerous mistresses and concubines. One story credits him with a veritable harem of 300 women, and a like number of boys....

 

....The November Games ran their course, and Commodus turned his attention to another series planned for the beginning of the new year AD193. These were to celebrate the refounding of Rome as Colonia Commodiana, and were to feature the emperor in the guise of Hercules Romanus Conditor (The Founder of Rome). There was another element to the scheme. Commodus intended to kill both consuls elect, then issue forth the next day as both gladiator and consul....

 

....Commodus, however, not only failed to measure up to his fathers elevated standards, he went down in history as a positive monster, a megalomaniac who thought himself a god, had the months renamed in his honour, and delighted in nothing better than playing the gladiator in front of the assembled roman audience....

 

Chronicle of the Roman Emperors - Chris Scarre

 

....After ten years in power, however, something happened to Commodus. He began to interfere in the running of government and ordered the execution of loyal servants on trivial grounds. He also began to kill in the arena in earnest. His opponents were still given wooden swords and told they were to take part in display fights, but Commodus used real weapons and killed them....

 

....Commodus also took part in the execution of criminals. He liked to compare himself to Hercules and would appear at parties dressed as the ancient hero in a lionskin cloak and carrying a huge club. It was in this guise that he took part in executions, using the club to smash open the skulls of the condemned....

 

....More unusual was the fact that from time to time Commodus turned round to kiss the slave, his homosexual lover Saoterus. The romans may have been impressed with the Triumph, but they were displeased by the open display of what they considered a vice....

 

....The following year, lacking even a minor victory to give an excuse for a Triumph, Commodus had himself proclaimed Emperor all over again and held celebratory games....

 

The Age of the Gladiators - Rupert Matthews

Edited May 3, 2007 by caldrail

[Ingsoc]

There is nothing new at buying the throne, just remember that Claudius pay a good amount of money to the Pretorian soldiers who help him become an empror.

[caldrail]

There is nothing new at buying the throne, just remember that Claudius pay a good amount of money to the Pretorian soldiers who help him become an empror.

Yes thats true, but Claudius didn't buy the throne. He bought the praetorians loyalty. The praetorians had already given Claudius, indeed, almost forced him, to accept the title of Caesar.