Editing Didius Julianus (section)

=== Rise to power ===

After the murder of Pertinax on 28 March 193, the Praetorian guard announced that the throne was to be sold to the man who would pay the highest price.<ref>Herodian, ii.6.4.</ref> [[Titus Flavius Claudius Sulpicianus]], [[Praefectus urbi|prefect of Rome]] and Pertinax's father-in-law, who was in the Praetorian camp ostensibly to calm the troops, began making offers for the throne.<ref>Cassius Dio, lxxiv, 11.1; Historia Augusta, ''Didius Julianus'', 2.4, 2.6.</ref> Meanwhile, Julianus also arrived at the camp, and since his entrance was barred, shouted out offers to the guard.<ref>Cassius Dio, lxxiv, 11.3; Herodian, ii.6.8.</ref> After hours of bidding, Sulpicianus promised 20,000 [[sesterces]] to every soldier; Julianus, fearing that Sulpicianus would gain the throne, then offered 25,000.<ref>Cassius Dio, lxxiv, 11.5.</ref> The guards closed with the offer of Julianus, threw open the gates, and proclaimed him emperor.<ref>Cassius Dio, lxxiv, 11.5; Historia Augusta, ''Didius Julianus'', 2.7; Herodian, ii.6.11.</ref> Threatened by the military, the [[Roman Senate|Senate]] also declared him emperor.<ref>Cassius Dio, lxxiv, 12; Historia Augusta, ''Didius Julianus'', 3.3.</ref> His wife and his daughter both received the title Augusta.<ref>Historia Augusta, ''Didius Julianus'', 3.4, 4.5.</ref>