This Day in Ancient History - January 1 - 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. Pertinax became emperor on this day in A.D. 193.
Read more about Pertinax.
"This day in ancient history" caveat: please see Unreliability of Dates.
Comments
A striking omen on the day of his murder: those who gazed into Pertinax’s eyes noted that his pupils were mere pinpoints.