Commodus to Septimius severus ● Commodus ○ Son of Marcus ○ Born in the purple ■ When his father was in reign ● Autocratic, erratic emperor ● Assassinated in conspiracy ● Death had occurred chaos ○ Ended Nerva Antonine dynasty Pertinax ● Appointed by Senate after Commodus ● Reform finance ● Discipline praetorian Guard ● Killed after 3 month Didius Julianus ● “Bought” the crown ○ Bidded the highest price to Praetorian Guards ● Unpopular ○ Senate and People ● Overthrown and executed after 3 month Pescennius Niger ● Governor of Syria ○ Emperor by eastern legions ● Supported eastern provinces and cities ○ Antioch ○ Alexandria ● Alternative to Julianus and Severus ● Defeated by Severus ○ Battle of Issus(194CE) ● Beheaded after fleeing Septimius Severus ● Born in Leptis Magna ○ Todays Libya ○ First African Emperor ● Proclaimed emperor by Danubian legions ○ Todays Croatia ● Executed Julianus in Rome ○ Then declared as emperor of Rome by the Senates ● Expanded to Niger and Albinus ● Started Severan Dynasty ● Military reform ○ Increased solidres payment and privilege ○ Army a direct power of emperor ○ Soldiers could now legally marry during service ● Stronger autocracy ○ Reduce in Senate’s power ● Camping in the East and to Britain Clodius Albinus ● Governor of Britannia ○ Ally of Severus ● Went against when Severus’s son Caracalla heir instead ● Declared himself an emperor ○ Moved to Gaul ● Lost battle of Lugdunum ○ Committed suicide or was executed During this period(193CE) ● 5 emperors ● Roman has increased in military ● Praetorian Guard's corruption ○ Auction on throne was disgrace ● Severus reshaped the empire ● Severan lead to 3rd Century crisis ○ 50 emperor in 50 years