Year of the Five Emperors

The Year of the Five Emperors refers to the year AD 193, a time when five men claimed to be the Roman emperor: Pertinax, Didius Julianus, Pescennius Niger, Clodius Albinus, and Septimius Severus. This year marked the start of civil war as these leaders fought for the chance to rule the empire.

The trouble began with the murder of Emperor Commodus on New Year's Eve 192. After Commodus died, Pertinax became emperor but was later killed by members of the Praetorian Guard after only three months in power. Didius Julianus then bought the title from the guard but was later removed and executed. Septimius Severus was named Caesar by the Senate, but another man, Pescennius Niger, also claimed to be emperor.

This led to a big war between Niger and Severus. They gathered soldiers and fought across the empire. To focus on this war, Severus let Clodius Albinus be co-Caesar. After Severus defeated Niger at the battle of Issus in 194, he then fought and defeated Albinus at the Battle of Lugdunum in 197.

Historians often count Severus and Albinus as emperors even though they ruled at the same time. The chaos of AD 193 led to the start of the Severan dynasty.

History

Fall of Commodus

After the death of his close friend, Commodus began acting in strange ways. He removed himself from his role as ruler and became very paranoid. On New Year's Eve in AD 192, he planned a big event in Rome, but three nobles worried they would be hurt had him killed instead. They chose Pertinax to be the new ruler.

Pertinax

Pertinax became emperor after rising through the military. He faced many problems, including money issues and claims he helped plan Commodus' death. Pertinax tried to change things but lost support from the guards who protected the emperor. When they demanded payment and he refused, they attacked and killed him.

Didius Julianus

After Pertinax's death, the guards decided to sell the position of emperor to the highest bidder. Didius Julianus offered more money than others and became emperor. But soon, two other men, Pescennius Niger and Septimius Severus, also claimed they should be emperor. Severus reached Rome first and had Julianus executed.

Pescennius Niger

Pescennius Niger was the governor of Syria when he heard people wanted him to be emperor. He declared himself emperor and fought against Severus for two years. He lost the war in a battle near the city of Issus in 194.

Clodius Albinus

Clodius Albinus was asked to be emperor after Commodus died but said no. Later, he became second-in-command to Severus. Though they made an agreement, Severus later turned against Albinus. They fought a civil war, and Severus won, becoming the sole emperor after a battle in 197 where Albinus was killed.

Septimius Severus

Septimius Severus became emperor just twelve days after Pertinax's death, with support from the Senate. He executed Julianus and then fought wars against Niger and Albinus. After winning, Severus removed anyone who opposed him and started what is called the Severan dynasty.