Editing Pertinax (section)

==Emperor==
[[File:Pertinax Providentia Aureus.jpg|thumb|300px|Roman [[aureus]] struck under the rule of Pertinax. Inscription: IMP. CAES. P. HELV. PERTIN. AVG. / PROVIDentia DEORum COnSul II]]
When Commodus' actions became increasingly erratic in the early 190s, a conspiracy led to his assassination on 31 December 192.  The plot was carried out by the [[Praetorian prefect]] [[Quintus Aemilius Laetus]], Commodus' mistress [[Marcia (mistress of Commodus)|Marcia]], and his chamberlain Eclectus.{{sfnp|Campbell|2005|page=1}}  After the murder had been carried out, Pertinax, who was serving as [[urban prefect]] at this time, was hurried to the [[Castra Praetoria|Praetorian Camp]] and proclaimed emperor.<ref>Historia Augusta, ''Pertinax'', 4:5</ref> His short reign of 87 days<ref>Dio 74:6</ref> was an uneasy one. He attempted to emulate the restrained practices of [[Marcus Aurelius]] and made an effort to reform the ''[[alimenta]]'', but he faced antagonism from many quarters.{{sfnp|Gibbon|1788|ps=, chapter 4.}}

Ancient writers detail how the [[Praetorian Guard]] expected a generous ''[[donativum]]'' on his ascension, and when they were disappointed, agitated until he produced the money, selling off [[Commodus]]' property,{{sfnp|Campbell|2005|page=2}} including the concubines and youths Commodus kept for his sexual pleasures.<ref name="dio 74:5">Dio, 74:5</ref><ref>Historia Augusta, ''Pertinax'', 7:8</ref> He reformed the [[Roman currency]] dramatically, increasing the silver purity of the [[denarius]] from 74% to 87% – the actual silver weight increasing from 2.22&nbsp;grams to 2.75&nbsp;grams.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tulane.edu/~august/handouts/601cprin.htm |publisher=Tulane University |title=Roman Currency of the Principate |author=Kenneth W. Harl |date=1999 |access-date=1 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101003844/http://www.tulane.edu/~august/handouts/601cprin.htm|archive-date=1 November 2008}}</ref>

Pertinax attempted to impose stricter military discipline upon the pampered Praetorians.<ref>Zosimus, 1:8</ref> In early March he narrowly averted one conspiracy by a group to replace him with the consul [[Quintus Pompeius Sosius Falco|Quintus Sosius Falco]] while he was in [[Ostia Antica|Ostia]] inspecting the arrangements for grain shipments.<ref name="dio 74:8">Dio, 74:8</ref> The plot was betrayed; Falco himself was pardoned but several of the officers behind the coup were executed.<ref>Historia Augusta, ''Pertinax'', 10:4</ref>

On 28 March 193, Pertinax was at his palace when, according to the ''Historia Augusta'', a contingent of some three hundred soldiers of the Praetorian Guard rushed the gates<ref>Historia Augusta, ''Pertinax'', 11:1</ref> (two hundred according to Cassius Dio).<ref name="dio 74:9">Dio, 74:9</ref> Ancient sources suggest that they had received only half their promised pay.<ref name="dio 74:8"/> Neither the guards on duty nor the palace officials chose to resist them. Pertinax sent Laetus to meet them, but he chose to side with the insurgents instead and deserted the emperor.<ref>Historia Augusta, ''Pertinax'', 11:7</ref>

Although advised to flee, Pertinax then attempted to reason with the insurgents and was almost successful before being struck down by one of the soldiers.<ref name="dio 74:10">Dio, 74:10</ref> Pertinax must have been aware of the danger he faced by assuming [[Tyrian purple|the purple]], for he refused to use imperial titles for either his wife or son, thereby protecting them from the aftermath of his own assassination.{{sfnp|Campbell|2005|page=1}}