Julian Didius

Marcus Didius Julianus (Latin Marcus Didius Iulianus; 29 Jan 133 - 2 Jun 193) sometimes referred to as Julian I, was the second emperor of the so-called year of the five emperors. His rule lasted only 66 days.

After Pertinax's death, the Roman Empire became such a state of anarchy that the imperial throne was auctioned off to the highest bidder by the Praetorians. Although many previous emperors had guaranteed their position by bribing members of the Praetorian Guard, the auction process for the throne of one of the most powerful empires in the world was so scandalous to their contemporaries that it was totally offensive.

Although Didio Juliano, the auction winner, was a respected senator, he was assassinated just after his first two months in office. Upon his death, the state of civil war that the empire was experiencing continued until a general, Septimius Severus, managed to seize political power.

Biography

Childhood

Didius Julianus was born on January 30, 133 in Mediolanum. He was descended from one of the most respected families in the city. His mother, Emilia Clara, came from the African city of Hadrumentum and his father, the jurist Publio Salvio Juliano, was one of the most important lawyers during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. He was raised by Domitia Lucilla, mother of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Political career

Like all Romans of his position, Julian tried to rise in his political career, managing to be appointed praetor in the year 162. He ruled over Mogontiacum (present-day Mainz) where he commanded the Legio XXI Rapax. In the year 170 he was appointed governor of the province of Gallia Belgica for a period of five years.

His defense against a German attack from across the Elbe earned him a suffectus consulate in 175. Between 176 and 177 he was appointed governor of the province of Illyria. In 178 he ruled Lower Germany, and later returned to Italy. He was made governor of Bithynia after going into exile in his hometown for a brief period after being accused of being part of the conspiracy to overthrow Commodus. Subsequently he moved to Africa, where he served as proconsul. Appointed proconsul of Asia, he governed the province in two phases (188-190) and (192-193)

Reign

Acquisition of the throne

Doubt of Didio Juliano.

After the death of Emperor Pertinax, the Praetorian Guard auctioned off the imperial throne among the richest and most influential men in Rome, something intolerable for Roman society at the time. Didius Juliano prevailed over Tito Flavio Sulpiciano, Pertinax's father-in-law and therefore dangerous for the Praetorians. The final price for the throne was set at 25,000 sesterces per soldier.

After the purchase of the throne, the Praetorians forced the Senate to appoint Didius Julian as the new emperor. The town's anger increased when Didius Julianus began making long-term promises.

He tried to win over the ordo equester to his cause, and to calm the populace by suppressing various measures taken by Pertinax, although he did not grant the honors due to the previous emperor for fear of alienating the military faction. He granted both his wife Manlia Escantila and his daughter Didia Clara the title of Augusta. The monetary issues of his reign, which show his wife and his daughters, indicate his desire to create a dynasty of his own.

However, since his proclamation as emperor, Julian encountered resistance not only among the mob, but also in the army. After a few weeks, three provincial governors, Clodio Albino, Pescenio Niger and Septimio Severo rebelled against the new order. The first and third of these united and marched together on Rome.

The uprising of the army of Septimius Severus stationed in Pannonia, which was soon joined by troops deployed in the Balkans and Germania comprised 15 heavily armed and veteran legions. For his part, Pescenio Niger was joined by the legions encamped in Syria and the troops sent by the Arsacid emperor Vologases V.

Defense of Rome

Julian responded to the threat presented to him by fortifying Rome as fast as his available forces would allow. For their part, the rebels were already in Ravenna, where they captured a large part of the Roman fleet. It is possible that Juliano used the elephants destined to serve in the city's circus to defend it.

Then he made a big mistake; he sent a brigade made up of Praetorians to carry out work on the city walls. The men that made up this detachment were elite soldiers, who took advantage of this situation to escape. With this, Juliano lost the confidence of the troops and a good number of soldiers.

Death

Septimius Severus continued his march on the capital of the Empire, making the senators decide to send him a delegation in which they swore allegiance to him. Many citizens fled the city for fear of what could happen. Desperate, Julian sent his praetorian prefect to Septimius Severus to ask him to share the throne simultaneously. However, he killed the messenger and sent a message to the Praetorians telling them that if they handed over Pertinax's murderers he would guarantee them impunity, an offer the Praetorians accepted.

The Senate met and unanimously proclaimed Septimius Severus the new Emperor of the Roman Empire. Julian remained in the Imperial Palace, but was assassinated on the orders of the new emperor. According to Cassius Dio, his last words were:

But what have I done wrong? Who did I kill?