Roman Emperor Didius Julianus (193 CE)

Didius Julianus: The Emperor Who Bought Rome

Didius Julianus is a name that echoes with infamy in the annals of Roman history. His rise to power as Emperor of Rome in 193 CE was unprecedented, not because of any great military conquest or political maneuvering, but because he literally bought the throne in one of the most notorious events in Roman history—the auction of the Roman Empire. His short and troubled reign, lasting only 66 days, was marked by turmoil, betrayal, and eventual assassination, encapsulating the chaos that had engulfed the Roman Empire during this period. Julianus’ story is a cautionary tale about the perils of power, the corruption of the Roman military, and the decline of the Roman Empire.

Early Life and Career

Marcus Didius Severus Julianus was born on January 30, 133 CE, into a wealthy and prominent family in Milan, then known as Mediolanum. His father, Quintus Petronius Didius Severus, was a high-ranking official, and his mother, Aemilia Clara, came from a noble lineage. This illustrious background ensured that Julianus received an excellent education, preparing him for a career in public service.

Julianus entered the Roman political and military scene with promise. He began his career under the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who was known for his philosophical inclinations and a relatively peaceful reign. Julianus served in several important positions, including as a military commander in various provinces. He proved to be a competent administrator and soldier, serving in Germany, Belgium, Dalmatia, and Bithynia. He was appointed consul in 175 CE, a prestigious position that marked the peak of his early career.

Despite his early successes, Julianus’ career began to stagnate under Emperor Commodus, the son of Marcus Aurelius. Commodus’ reign was marked by erratic behavior, debauchery, and increasing detachment from governance, which created an atmosphere of uncertainty and intrigue. Julianus, perhaps because of his perceived allegiance to the previous regime or simply due to the whims of Commodus, found himself sidelined and out of favor. He retreated to a quieter life, managing his estates and awaiting a chance to re-enter the political arena.

The Year of the Five Emperors and the Auction of the Empire

The turning point in Julianus' life came in 193 CE, a year that would become infamous as the "Year of the Five Emperors." This period of intense instability began with the assassination of Commodus on December 31, 192 CE. His death led to the brief reign of Pertinax, a respected general and senator who attempted to restore order and discipline to the Roman government.

Pertinax’s reign, however, was short-lived. His efforts to impose financial and military discipline, particularly on the Praetorian Guard—the elite soldiers responsible for the emperor's safety—earned him their enmity. On March 28, 193 CE, after just 87 days as emperor, Pertinax was murdered by members of the Praetorian Guard. This assassination plunged Rome into chaos, as the throne was once again left vacant.

In the immediate aftermath of Pertinax’s murder, the Praetorian Guard seized control of the imperial palace. Recognizing the opportunity to exploit the situation, they decided to auction off the empire to the highest bidder—a shocking act that laid bare the corruption and greed that had taken hold of the Roman military.

Didius Julianus, who was residing in Rome at the time, became aware of the auction. Encouraged by his wife, Manlia Scantilla, and his daughter, Didia Clara, Julianus decided to bid for the imperial throne. He entered into a bidding war with Sulpicianus, the prefect of Rome and the father-in-law of Pertinax, who was also seeking the emperorship. As the bidding escalated, Julianus offered an exorbitant sum of 25,000 sesterces to each member of the Praetorian Guard, an amount that Sulpicianus could not match. The guards, motivated purely by greed, declared Julianus the winner and proclaimed him emperor on March 28, 193 CE.

Julianus’ ascension was met with widespread shock and disbelief. The very idea that the empire could be sold to the highest bidder was an affront to the Roman Senate, the military, and the people. The act symbolized the depths of moral and political decay in the empire, and Julianus’ reign was doomed from the start.

Reign of Didius Julianus

Julianus’ reign began under a cloud of illegitimacy and public outrage. Despite his newfound power, Julianus struggled to secure the loyalty of the Senate, the people, and the military. His association with the disgraceful auction and his willingness to buy the throne with money rather than earning it through merit or lineage undermined his authority from the outset.

Julianus attempted to legitimize his rule by issuing coins with his image and making grand promises to various factions within Rome. He sought to placate the Senate by offering them greater power and autonomy, but these efforts were largely seen as hollow and insufficient. The Senate, which had been marginalized during Commodus’ reign, remained deeply suspicious of Julianus and resented the manner in which he had acquired the throne.

Worse still, Julianus faced immediate military challenges. News of his purchase of the empire spread quickly, and it provoked a strong reaction from several provincial governors, who viewed him as an illegitimate usurper. The most significant of these challengers was Septimius Severus, the governor of Pannonia, a province on the Danube frontier. Severus was a seasoned and ambitious military leader with the support of several legions. When he heard of Julianus’ ascension, Severus declared himself emperor and began marching his troops toward Rome.

Julianus, realizing the severity of the threat posed by Severus, attempted to rally the Roman military to his cause. He tried to fortify Rome and sent envoys to Severus, offering bribes and concessions to prevent a confrontation. However, these efforts were largely futile. The Praetorian Guard, who had installed Julianus as emperor, proved to be unreliable in the face of Severus’ advancing legions. Their loyalty, bought with money, evaporated as the situation grew more dire.

As Severus approached Rome, support for Julianus collapsed. The Senate, sensing the inevitable outcome, turned against Julianus and declared Severus the rightful emperor. In a desperate bid to save himself, Julianus made a final appeal to the Senate and the Praetorian Guard, offering to abdicate if his life was spared. However, his fate had already been sealed.

Assassination and Legacy

On June 1, 193 CE, after just 66 days as emperor, Didius Julianus was assassinated in the imperial palace. The assassination was carried out by a soldier, likely acting on the orders of the Senate or the Praetorian Guard, who saw Julianus’ death as a necessary step to appease Severus and restore stability to Rome. His last words, according to the historian Cassius Dio, were “But what evil have I done? Whom have I killed?”

Following Julianus' death, Severus entered Rome unopposed and was proclaimed emperor. He quickly moved to consolidate his power, executing many of Julianus’ supporters and reorganizing the Praetorian Guard to ensure their loyalty to him. Severus went on to establish the Severan dynasty, which would rule Rome for the next several decades.

Julianus’ wife, Manlia Scantilla, and his daughter, Didia Clara, were stripped of their titles and wealth. They were allowed to live but were forced into obscurity. Julianus himself was buried in a simple tomb, far removed from the grand mausoleums of Rome’s more illustrious emperors.

The legacy of Didius Julianus is one of ignominy. His reign, though brief, highlighted the deep-seated corruption and instability that had taken hold of the Roman Empire. The auction of the empire, in which Julianus played the leading role, became a symbol of the moral decay that was afflicting Rome. His story is often cited as an example of the dangers of a military and political system that could be so easily manipulated by greed and ambition.

In the broader context of Roman history, Julianus’ rise and fall illustrate the precariousness of power during the empire’s decline. The events of 193 CE, with the rapid succession of emperors and the auction of the empire, marked a turning point in Roman history, leading to further civil wars and the eventual transformation of the Roman state under the Severan dynasty.

Didius Julianus’ story is a tragic and cautionary tale that serves as a reflection of the turmoil that engulfed the Roman Empire in the late 2nd century CE. His brief reign, secured through an unprecedented and infamous act of purchasing the imperial throne, was doomed from the start. Julianus was unable to overcome the deep mistrust and hostility that his rise to power provoked, and his downfall was swift and brutal. His assassination marked the end of one of the most chaotic episodes in Roman history and paved the way for the rise of Septimius Severus and the Severan dynasty. Julianus’ legacy is a reminder of the perils of unchecked ambition, the corrupting influence of power, and the fragility of empires.