Pertinax in Roman Biography

Per'ti-nax, (Helvius,) a Roman emperor, born at Alba Pompeia, on the Tanaro, in 126 a.d., was a son of a dealer in charcoal. He was a teacher of grammar before he entered the army. As prefect of a cohort, he served with distinction against the Parthians. He was admitted into the senate, and obtained command of a legion in the reign of Marcus Aurelius. In 179 A.D. he was consul. He suppressed a mutiny in Britain in the reign of Commodus, and was proclaimed emperor by the senate at the death of Commodus, in January, 193 A.p. Bv the announcement of important reforms, and his efforts to restore discipline, he made enemies among the courtiers and praetorians, who murdered him in his palace in March, 193 a.d. See Capitounus, "Pertinax;" Dion Cassius, "History of Rome :" Gibbon, " Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire."