Didius Julianus
Marcus Didius Severus Julianus (133/137 - June 1, 193) reigned as Roman Emperor from March 28 to June 1 of AD 193.
Julianus was born to Quintus Petronius Didius Julianus and Aemilia Clara, a noble family from Milan. His date of birth is given as January 30, 133 by Cassius Dio and February 2, 137 by the Historia Augusta.
He became emperor by winning an auction the Praetorian Guard held for the title. His winning bid was 25,000 sesterces to each member of the Praetorian Guard, outbidding City Prefect Titus Flavius Sulpicianus.
The auction proved highly unpopular, and three generals in different parts of the empire (Pescennius Niger in Syria, Clodius Albinus in Britain, and Septimus Severus in Pannonia) wasted no time in taking advantage of the situation by rising in rebellion. Septimus Severus invaded Italy and captured Ravenna; the Senate, seeing that Julianus was doomed, soon declared him a public enemy, and he was killed shortly thereafter.
