Publius Helvius Pertinax Augustus was Roman Emperor for the first three months of 193.
As the successor to the assassinated Commodus, he was the first to serve as emperor during the tumultuous Year of the Five Emperors.
He attempted to institute several reform measures, and one of those reforms - the restoration of discipline among the Praetorian Guards - led to conflict that eventually culminated in Pertinax's murder by the Guard.
Following the murder, the Guard auctioned off the imperial throne to the highest bidder - the wealthy senator Didius Julianus. This led to a civil war, in which the general Septimius Severus was ultimately successful.
As the successor to the assassinated Commodus, he was the first to serve as emperor during the tumultuous Year of the Five Emperors.
He attempted to institute several reform measures, and one of those reforms - the restoration of discipline among the Praetorian Guards - led to conflict that eventually culminated in Pertinax's murder by the Guard.
Following the murder, the Guard auctioned off the imperial throne to the highest bidder - the wealthy senator Didius Julianus. This led to a civil war, in which the general Septimius Severus was ultimately successful.
(1)
Pertinax
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Obverse: IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG, Head of Pertinax facing right, wearing laurel wreath
Reverse: AEQVIT AVG TR P COS II, Aequitas standing facing left, holding scales and cornucopia
Diameter:
19 mm
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 2.69 g
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 2.69 g
Commodus was assassinated on New Year's Eve of 192 AD, Pertinax who at the time was serving as urban prefect (I suppose the comparison to modern times would be sheriff) was installed as Emperor on January 1st of 193. The Praetorian Guard (the comparison to modern times here I would say is the Secret Service) expected a large bribe for this gift and when he only paid half and tried to reform them they assassinated him, his reign lasting all of 87 days.
Thus began the "Year of Five Emperors."
Thus began the "Year of Five Emperors."
RIC IV Pertinax 1a
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