a life of pleasure and left the
conduct of the government in the hands of a succession of favorites, who
used their power to further their own interests. He abandoned the war with
the Marcomanni and Quadi without carrying out his father's plans and
granted them peace on lenient terms so that he might return to the
enjoyments of the capital. His chief ambition was to win fame as a
gladiator. He frequently appeared in the arena, and finally determined to
assume the consulate on 1 January, 193 A. D. in a gladiator's costume.
However, on the preceding night he was assassinated at the instigation of
the pretorian prefect, Quintus Aemilius Laetus.

IV. THE SECOND WAR OF THE LEGIONS, 193-197 A. D.

*Pertinax: January-March, 193 A. D.* The new princeps (Publius Helvius
Pertinax, a senator of low birth but proved military capacity) was the
nominee of Laetus. However, his strictness in enforcing discipline among
the troops and his economies, necessitated by the exhausted condition of
the public finances, soon alienated the goodwill of the praetorians and
Laetus himself. After less than three months' rule he was killed in a
mutiny of the pretorian guard (March, 193 A. D.).

*Didius Julianus.* Their choice for a successor was an old and wealthy
senator, Didius Julianus, who purchased his nomination by the promise of a
high donative. But his rule was destined to be short for, as in 68 A. D.,
the armies on the frontiers asserted their claim to appoint the princeps.

*The **rivals**: Severus, Niger and Albinus.* Almost simultaneously three
commanders were saluted as Imperator by their soldiers. These were
Pescennius Niger in Syria, Clodius Albinus in Britain, and Septimius
Severus in Upper Pannonia. With their nominations a second war of the
legions began. Severus had the advantage of position and immediately
marched on Rome as the avenger of Pertinax. He also was able to arrange a
truce with Albinus by promising to recognize him as his successor with the
title of Caesar. The praetorians offered no resistance to the Danubian
army; Julianus was deposed by the Senate and put to death (June, 193
A. D.); and the Senate ratified the nomination of Severus.

*Defeat of Niger and Albinus.* But the position of Severus was not yet
secure, for Niger had been recognized in the eastern provinces and also
had a strong following in Rome. He was preparing to march upon Italy and
had already occupied Byzantium. Severus at once se