History of Didius Julianus

Didius Julianus was a Roman politician whose short and tumultuous reign as Emperor is often highlighted for its unconventional beginnings and rapid demise. His story is emblematic of the turbulence that characterized the Year of the Five Emperors, 193 AD, a period of intense political instability for the Roman Empire.

Marcus Didius Severus Julianus was born on January 30, 133 AD, into a wealthy family in Mediolanum, modern-day Milan. His rise in the Roman political sphere was typical of the senatorial elite of the time. Julianus was well-educated and embarked on a traditional political career that saw him climb the cursus honorum, or the hierarchy of political offices. He held various roles including quaestor, aedile, and praetor, and eventually served as a consul in 175 AD under Emperor Marcus Aurelius. This was a testament to his abilities and the esteem in which he was held by the ruling elite.

Julianus also distinguished himself as an administrator and military leader. He governed several provinces, including Gallia Belgica and Dalmatia, and commanded Roman legions. His governorships not only provided him with administrative experience but also equipped him with military acumen. This background was not uncommon among Roman leaders who were expected to be proficient in both governance and military affairs.

The political landscape during Julianus’s lifetime was tumultuous. The death of Commodus, the last emperor from the Antonine dynasty, in 192 AD, marked the beginning of political upheaval. Commodus was succeeded by Pertinax, a respected senator, but his reign was short-lived; he was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard after just three months.

In a shocking turn of events, the imperial throne was essentially auctioned off by the Praetorian Guard following Pertinax’s death. This event, considered disgraceful even by the standards of the time, saw Julianus, possibly influenced by his ambitious wife and daughter, enter the bid for the emperorship. He offered a large sum of money to the Praetorian Guard, reportedly outbidding Sulpicianus, the father-in-law of the deceased Pertinax and a former governor himself. Didius Julianus was declared emperor by the Praetorian Guards on March 28, 193 AD.

Julianus’s accession to power through such an ignominious means immediately undermined his legitimacy. For many, the auction of the empire to the highest bidder represented a nadir in Roman political culture. The Senate, recognizing the volatile sentiment among both the public and the military, reluctantly confirmed Didius Julianus’s position. His initial acts as emperor sought to stabilize the situation by attempting to curry favor with both the Senate and the military. However, these measures were generally ineffective in assuaging the widespread detractors of his rule.

His reign, consisting of just over two months, was marked by chaos and insecurity. Three powerful generals from different parts of the empire rejected his rule and set themselves up as claimants to the throne. These were Pescennius Niger in the East, Clodius Albinus in Britannia, and Septimius Severus, then governing the legions in Pannonia. Severus, an extremely skilled military leader, proved to be the most formidable challenger.

Severus quickly moved towards Rome with his legions to seize the imperial city. Recognizing the hopelessness of his situation against Severus’s advancing forces, Julianus made several attempts to negotiate and even offered to share power with Severus, all of which were rebuffed. Severus, steadily amassing support, including the strategic backing of the Senate, entered Rome without encountering serious resistance from the Praetorian Guard, who had switched their allegiance fearing for their safety and future.

On June 1, 193 AD, the Senate declared Severus as Emperor and sentenced Julianus to death. Julianus was executed on June 1, 193 AD, in the imperial palace. His death marked the end of one of the shortest and most ill-fated reigns in Roman history.

For many historians, the reign of Didius Julianus symbolizes the critical interplay of military power and political authority during the Roman Empire. The incident of the auction itself highlighted the deep-seated corruption and instability of the empire at the time and an alarming shift in the influence the Praetorian Guard wielded over imperial succession. Furthermore, it set in motion the rise of Septimius Severus, who founded the Severan dynasty and initiated reforms aimed at consolidating imperial power and stabilizing the empire.

Didius Julianus, as a historical figure, remains an intriguing study of ambition, political machination, and the dramatic perils inherent in Roman imperial politics. Despite his significant background in governance and military command, Julianus’s failure and untimely downfall underscore the unpredictable and volatile nature of Roman imperial succession in times of crisis. His brief tenure as emperor reflects a peak in the series of political crises that defined Rome’s second century, illustrating both the strengths and frailties of Roman imperial and military systems.