Perinax
Augustus  AD 193 (1 January - 28 March AD 193)

Publius Helvius Pertinax.
Husband of Titiana;
Father of Pertinax Junior.

Publius Helvius Pertinax took a career change from a civil to a military position early in life and gradually worked his way up to the senatorial ranks under Marcus Aurelius and held several top positions. He fell out of favor under Commodus in the beginning of his reign but was them recalled and continued his service, taking his second consulship along with the Prefecture of Rome in 192. Upon the murder of Commodus the Praetorian Prefect Laetus offered him the throne and Pertinax accepted. Not bad for the son of a freed slave. As a good politician and administrator, his first steps were to ender himself to the Senate and begin prudent fiscal policy. The latter step turned unpopular and soon disillusioned the praetorians, who had expected a windfall. Their dissatisfaction grew by the day, condoned by Laetius, until on March 28, 193, a group of the most brazen of the guards broke in the palace, sought out Pertinax and not paying attention to his attempt to lecture them murdered him.

Mints: Rome.

List all Perinax coins in the Catalog.

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