On This Day in Ancient History - Emperor Pertinax

On this day in ancient Roman history, the future Emperor Pertinax was born.

At age 66, Pertinax, a city prefect and the son of a freedman, was acclaimed emperor. Pertinax became emperor despite his suspected involvement in the murder of the previous emperor, the unpopular Commodus. While emperor, Pertinax tried to replenish the treasury Commodus had squandered, but his measures were unpopular. He was killed after 87 days in office.

Read more about Emperors Pertinax and Didius Julianus and the Accession of Septimius Severus

This Day in History

(Emperor Pertinax image © Clipart.com)

Maps of Rome and the Roman Empire

"This day in ancient history" caveat: please see Unreliability of Dates.