The life of Didius Julianus
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Marcus Didius Severus Julianus
Imperator Caesar Marcus Didius Severus Julianus Augustus 133/137 AD - Mediolanum, Italy 1 June 193 AD - Rome, Italy (aged 56/60) Executed 28 March 193 AD – 1 June 193 AD (66 days) None Pertinax Septimius Severus |
Early Life
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Marcus Didius Severus Julianus was born in Mediolanum, Italy in either 133 or 137 - depending on the source. Cassius Dio states it was 30 January 133 whereas the Historia Augusta (which is notoriously unreliable) but puts it at 2 February 137. Julianus was born into a wealthy and influential family, his maternal ancestors had been consuls. Julianus had two brothers, Didius Proculus and Didius Nummius Albinus.
Being raised by the mother of Marcus Aurelius (Domitia Lucilla) put Julianus at a distinct advantage. Thanks to her, at a very young age Julianus was appointed to Rome's college of magistrates known as the vigintivirate. He married his wife Manlia Scantilla at this time, with whom he had one daughter, Didia Clara. Following his time as a magistrate he continued along the curus honorum, the series of offices that was expected of anyone who one day wanted to reach the pinnacle of Roman politics. He started first as a quaestor, then moved to an aedile until he was appointed as praetor in 162. Following these public offices Julianus served as the governor of northeastern Gaul from 170-175. During this time he fought off invasions by the Germanic Chauci tribes. For his efforts he was rewarded with the consulship of the year 175 with Pertinax as his colleague. Julianus would go on to govern both Dalmatia and Germania Inferior before taking a significant demotion, which was probably due to the increasingly erratic Commodus fearing Julianus' rise in power. Julianus was given the task of looking after the welfare of Italy's poor. He was also put on trial for conspiring against Commodus, but was released without charge. There was clearly little or no evidence for his involvement in any conspiracy as he later governed Bithynia and then went on to become proconsul of North Africa. Reign
On 31 December 192 Commodus was murdered by a group of conspirators seeking to end his erratic reign. He was succeeded by Pertinax, who only reigned for 3 months before being killed by his own disgruntled Praetorian Guard. Following this they announced they would hold an auction for the Imperial Throne, with the highest bidder becoming the next emperor. An early bid was made by Titus Flavius Claudius Sulpicianus, who was Pertinax's father-in-law and also the current prefect of Rome.
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Bust of Didius Julianus. By © José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62416650
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A bidding war between Julianus and Sulpicianus commenced with Julianus eventually outbidding his rival, offering 25,000 sesterces to each of the Praetorian Guard. Backed by the military. The Senate had no choice but to accept Julianus as their new emperor. Julianus' first act as emperor was to devalue the Roman currency, directly undoing what Pertinax had done during his own reign.
Julianus' reign would prove to be short-lived and filled with trouble. He was unpopular with the public, chiefly because he had bought his way there rather than being elected or appointed officially. Soon others begun to see an opportunity to usurp the unpopular Julianus and before long, three generals rebelled with their legions. Septimius Severus rose up in Pannonia, Pescennius Niger in Syria and lastly Clodius Albinus in Britain. All three declared themselves emperor and each had three legions backing them.
Julianus immediately began building fortifications around Rome and training his Praetorian Guard on how to fight pitched battles - something they were not used to doing. He also attempted to sow chaos in enemy ranks by trying to convince the legions to abandon their new emperors. The tables soon turned against Julianus however, as Albinus declared for Severus and was made his caesar. The Praetorian Prefect, Tullius Crispinus, was sent as an envoy to try and convince Severus to abandon his rebellion but Crispinus was killed by Severus who then continued on his way towards Rome. More cities and soldiers changed their allegiance to Severus as he marched down Italy, swelling his ranks and spelling certain doom for Julianus.
As a last resort Julianus offered to share power with Severus, but the offer was declined. The Praetorian Guard either fought against Severus' legions and lost, or simply abandoned Julianus to his fate.
Julianus' reign would prove to be short-lived and filled with trouble. He was unpopular with the public, chiefly because he had bought his way there rather than being elected or appointed officially. Soon others begun to see an opportunity to usurp the unpopular Julianus and before long, three generals rebelled with their legions. Septimius Severus rose up in Pannonia, Pescennius Niger in Syria and lastly Clodius Albinus in Britain. All three declared themselves emperor and each had three legions backing them.
Julianus immediately began building fortifications around Rome and training his Praetorian Guard on how to fight pitched battles - something they were not used to doing. He also attempted to sow chaos in enemy ranks by trying to convince the legions to abandon their new emperors. The tables soon turned against Julianus however, as Albinus declared for Severus and was made his caesar. The Praetorian Prefect, Tullius Crispinus, was sent as an envoy to try and convince Severus to abandon his rebellion but Crispinus was killed by Severus who then continued on his way towards Rome. More cities and soldiers changed their allegiance to Severus as he marched down Italy, swelling his ranks and spelling certain doom for Julianus.
As a last resort Julianus offered to share power with Severus, but the offer was declined. The Praetorian Guard either fought against Severus' legions and lost, or simply abandoned Julianus to his fate.
Death & Legacy
June 193Severus entered Rome and was declared the new emperor by the Senate, while at the same time Julianus was stripped of his titles. Julianus would only reign for 66 days before Severus had him executed on 1 June, 193. Severus also executed those responsible for the death of Pertinax, but pardoned the rest of the Praetorian Guard who had stood against him.
Julianus was survived by his wife and daughter - who had been spared by Severus. A damnatio memoriae was passed against him however, scrubbing imperial records of his rule. His short reign was uneventful for the most part and his only true reform was his devaluation of the currency. However this started a trend of devaluation that would result in hyperinflation during Severus' reign.
Julianus was survived by his wife and daughter - who had been spared by Severus. A damnatio memoriae was passed against him however, scrubbing imperial records of his rule. His short reign was uneventful for the most part and his only true reform was his devaluation of the currency. However this started a trend of devaluation that would result in hyperinflation during Severus' reign.
Quotes by Didius Julianus
"But what evil have I done? Whom have I killed?" - Last words
Trivia
- Julianus was the second emperor in the Year of the Five Emperors.
- Julianus was the first emperor to buy his place on the throne.