Marcus Severus Didius Julianus (133 or 137–193) was emperor of the Roman Empire from 28 March until 1 June 193. He ascended the throne after buying it from the Praetorian Guard, who had assassinated his predecessor Pertinax. This incited the Roman Civil War of 193–197. Julianus was ousted and sentenced to death by his successor, Septimius Severus.
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. Didius Julianus was raised by Domitia Lucilla, the mother of Marcus Aurelius. He was consul in 175.
After the murder of his predecessor, Pertinax, the throne was sold by auction by the Praetorian Guard. Didius Julianus offered every soldier 25,000 sestertii, outbidding City Prefect Titus Flavius Sulpicianus. Threatened by the military, the Senate declared him emperor. His wife, Manlia Scantilla, and his daughter, Didia Clara, both received the title Augusta.
The auction proved highly unpopular, and three generals in different parts of the empire (Pescennius Niger in Syria, Clodius Albinus in Britain, and Septimius Severus in Pannonia) wasted no time in taking advantage of the situation by rising in rebellion. Septimius Severus marched on Rome, ousted Didius Julianus and had him decapitated. He dismissed the Praetorian Guard and executed the soldiers who had killed Pertinax.
