Didius Julianus (March - June 193 AD)
Family and Background
The date and year of his birth is in dispute (either January 30, 133
or February 2, 137 are possible) at Milan. His father, Petronius
Didius Severus, was the son of the noted jurist, Salvius Julianus and
grandson of another jurist (also a Salvius Julianus) who had been
consul twice. Didius himself was brought up in the house of Domitia
Lucilla, mother ofMarcus Aurelius, and he appears to have been a
childhood friend of the emperor. Marcus may have ensured that he
receive a quastorship before the statuatory age, and certainly that he
received an aedileship and praetorship, after which he was given
command of the 22nd legion in Germany, where he appears to have
distinguished himself, and was given the consulship in 175 (his
colleague was Pertinax). In the next couple of years he held commands
in Dalmatia and lower Germany. Accused of treason early in the reign
of Commodus, he was aquitted of the charge, and went on to govern
Bithynia and Africa (holding the later post c. 192). When Pertinax
was murdered, he outbid Sulpicianus , the praetorian prefect, for the
throne. He ruled for 66 days before being killed on June 2 in the
palce as the armies of Septimius Severus approached the city.
Principal Events (Foriegn)
Principal Events (Domestic)
- Revolt of Clodius Albinus, Pescennius Niger and Septimius Severus
(April)
- Death (June 2, 193)
Further Reading
Cassius Dio, History of Rome, 73;
Herodian, History of the years after the Death of Marcus, 2;
Historia Augusta, Life of Julianus;
Birley, Septimius Severus.