Did'I-us, (Julianus Severus,) a Roman emperor,
born at Milan in 133 A.D., was the son of Petronius Didius
Severus. He served in the army with distinction,
and was made consul with Pertinax. After the murder
of this emperor, in 193, the Prsetorians offered the empire
at public auction to the highest bidder. The chief
competitors were Sulpitianus and Didius, who was immensely
rich. The latter made the highest bid, (6250
drachmas for each soldier,) and was proclaimed emperor.
But Septimius Severus and other generals refused to
recognize him, and, after a reign of about two months,
he was killed by the soldiers in his palace. Severus
was his successor.
See Dion Cassius,
"
History of Rome ;" Tillemont, "Histoire
des Empereurs."
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Marcus Didius Severus Julianus (30 January 133 or 2 February
137 – 1 June 193) was Roman Emperor for three months during
the year 193. He ascended the throne after buying it from
the Praetorian Guard, who had assassinated his predecessor
Pertinax. This led to the Roman Civil War of 193–197.
Julianus was ousted and sentenced to death by his successor,
Septimius Severus.
Early life -
Julianus was born to Quintus Petronius Didius Severus and
Aemilia Clara.[1] Julianus's father came from a prominent
family in Mediolanum (Milan) and his mother was an African
woman, of Roman descent. Clara came from a family of
consular rank. His brothers were Didius Proculus and Didius
Nummius Albinus.[1] His date of birth is given as January
30, 133 by Cassius Dio[2] and February 2, 137 by the
Historia Augusta.[3] Didius Julianus was raised by Domitia
Lucilla, mother of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.[4] With
Domitia's help, he was appointed at a very early age to the
vigintivirate, the first step towards public distinction.[5]
He married a Roman woman called Manlia Scantilla and about
153, Scantilla bore him a daughter and only child Didia
Clara...
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