Didius Julianus

Didius Julianus (133–193) was a Roman senator from Mediolanum who governed Dalmatia and held the consulship in 175. After the Praetorian Guard murdered Pertinax in 193, Julianus bought the throne at their auction of the empire, a purchase that made him deeply unpopular in Rome; he also reduced the silver content of the denarius.

His reign, lasting barely nine weeks, was immediately challenged by Pescennius Niger, Clodius Albinus and Septimius Severus. Severus marched on Rome; abandoned by the guard and the Senate, Julianus was killed in the palace in 193.