DIDIUS JULIA'NUS, of a family originally from Milan, and grand son of Salvius Julianus, a celebrated jurist, was born about A.D. 133. He was educated by Domain Lucille, the mother of Marcus Aurelius. He soon rose to important offices, was successively Qumstor, Prmtor, and Governor of Belgic Gaul, and having defeated the Chasid, he obtained the Consulship. He was afterwards sent as governor to Dalmatia, and next to Germania Inferior. Under Commodus, he was governor of Bithynia : on his return to Rome, he lived in luxury and debauchery, being enormously rich. After the murder of Pertinax in 193, the Praetorians having put up the empire to auction, Didius proceeded to their camp, and bid against Sulpicianus, the father-in-law of Pertinax, who was trying to make his own bargain with the soldiers.
Didius having bid highest, was proclaimed, and was taken by the soldiers into Rome. The senate with its usual servility acknowledged him emperor, but the people openly showed their dissatisfaction, and loaded him with abuse and imprecations in the Circus when he assisted at the solemn games which were customary on the occasion of a new reign. lie is said to have borne the insult with patience,
and to have behaved altogether with great moderation his short reign. Three generals at the head of their respective legions, Peseennius Niger, who commanded in the East, Soptitnius Severus iu Illycleum, and Claudine Albiuus in Britain, refused to acknowledge the nomination of the Praetorians. Severus being proclaimed Augustns by his troops, marched upon Rome, and found no opposition on the road, as the towns and garrisons all declared for him. The Prastorians themselves forsook Didius, and the senate readily pronounced his abdication, and proclaimed Severus emperor. A party of soldiers making their way into the palace, and disregarding the entreaties of Didins, who offered to renounce the empire, cut off his bead.' Ile had reigned only sixty-six days. Soverus soon after entered Rome, put to death tho murderers of Pertinax, disarmed the Praetorians, and banished them from the city. (Spartianus in Historic' Augusta ; Dion, Epitome, B. 73.)