There is a theory that the reason why Aurelius, who was called the wise emperor, made Commodus the next emperor was because he wanted to avoid internal disturbances in addition to his affection for love.
Rome at that time was too large.
Rome had a Governor-General in the provinces to govern a wide area from Britannica in the north to Mesopotania in the east and Spain in the west to Africa in the south.
Each Governor-General had to have a good general, and had troops stationed there.
On the contrary, since it is not necessary to put troops in Rome's home country, only 10,000 guards are the troops.
Emperor Aurelius was afraid that the governors of each province would attack Rome.
In the end, it was exactly what Aurelius was worried about.
This time, I would like to introduce the story of a man named Publius Helvius Pertinax, who became the emperor after Commodus shortly before the start of such a civil war.
The man who grew up to become an emperor
The social division society in the West is far more severe than that in the East, so few people have become emperors or kings from commoners. Even Napoleon is from a noble family.
Peratinax is a rare example of a soldier from a soldier to an emperor.
Peratinax was born in what is now Genoa, and his father was a freedman.
The reform of Julius Caesar allowed doctors or teachers to gain Roman citizenship, so Peratinax decided to choose the teacher's path.
When he gained Roman citizenship, he volunteered for the army and steadily continued his career. It seems that his ability was struck because he had been successful even in the peaceful times of Antoninus Pius.
The turning point for him was the Parthian campaign during the Aurelius Empire.
When Peratinax climbed up to become the "Secretary of the Treasury" in the Roman Syria, he succeeded in becoming Puerator (legal officer) by his success. After that, he used the system of vacant consuls to experience a short but consul, becoming the governor of the Moesian province, and the governor of the most important bases of the Dacian, Syrian and empire.
After the death of Emperor Aurelius, he served Commodus, succeeded in the settlement of Britannia, and assumed the position of Secretary of the Capital.
As Commodus was assassinated, Peratinax was inaugurated as the 18th Roman emperor with the support of Guards Secretary Leto.
I was supposed to be a great man ...
When Peratinax became emperor, he swore to carry out politics focused on the Senate. His property confiscated by Commodus was returned, and the victims of Commodus were rehabilitated and exonerated, and there was no lack of congratulatory money to the citizens.
He promises not to execute the sentence without trial to the Senators like the Five Good Emperors, and also declares that he will not inherit the throne.
The Senate and Roman citizens welcomed Peratinax. The ministers of the provinces also welcomed this.
But only the Guard Secretary, Leto, did not welcome this.
Konoe Secretary Leto. A man who was inaugurated as the Secretary of the Golden Age with Cleandros, who disturbed national affairs under the reign of Commodus, and was in that position alone after the death of Cleandros. He was also said to be the principal in the assassination of Commodus and was a kingmaker at this time.
Leto killed Peratinax.
It was only three months after the new emperor took office.
In March 193 AD, the guards assaulted the emperor's residence.
Peratinax 66 years old.
It was the last time I was too sad.
The guards auctioned the right to become the next emperor.
Let's think about it. When everything goes according to my wishes.
But that didn't happen.
A few years later, no one in the guards was in Rome.