Decimus Clodius Septimius Albinus(AD ca. 145 – AD 197) The birth date of Clodius Albinus is unknown. But most likely he was born some time between AD 140 and 150 into wealthy family in Hadrumetum in north Africa. His early career is largely unknown, but it appears he probably enjoyed an army career, before he …
Gaius Pescennius Niger(AD 135 – AD 195) Gaius Pescennius Niger was born into an Italian equestrian family in about AD 135. Made a senator by Commodus, he campaigned against the Sarmatians in Dacia in AD 183, alongside Clodius Albinus. He performed well and was rewarded with the consulship. In AD 190 he was made governor …
Lucius Septimus Severus was the 13th emperor of the Roman Empire (from 193 to 211 AD), and quite uniquely, was its first ruler who hailed from Africa. More specifically, he was born in the Romanized city of Lepcis Magna, in modern-day Libya, in 145 AD from a family with a long history in local, as …
Marcus Didius Severus Julianus(AD 133 – AD 193) Marcus Didius Severus Julianus was the son of Quintus Petronius Didius Severus, member of one of the most important families of Mediolanum (Milan). Hi mother came from north Africa and was closely related to Salvius Julianus, the eminent jurist on the imperial council of Hadrian. With such …
Publius Helvius Pertinax(AD 126 – AD 193) Publius Helvius Pertinax was born at Alba Pompeia in Liguria in AD 126. His father was a freed slave, who allegedly named his son Pertinax to commemorate his own perseverance in the timber or wool trade in which he appeared to achieve some success. His father’s wealth assured …
Lucius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus, commonly known more briefly as Commodus, was the 18th emperor of the Roman Empire and the last of the widely praised “Nerva-Antonine Dynasty.” He was, however, instrumental in the downfall and demise of that dynasty and is remembered in sharp contrast to his close predecessors. Indeed, his image and identity …