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Posted 08/14/2018 4:28 pm
I'll take the opportunity to share a few more short-lived rulers then?
Julius Caesar, as Dictator Perpetuo , c. February - March 15, 44 BC
Murdered by his friends and colleagues after holding the title for not more than two months
Clodius Albinus, as usurper v. Septimius Severus, 197 AD
Severus concluded the civil war on the promise that Albinus would be second in command and eventually ascend to the throne. Severus reneged, elevated his son Caracalla instead, and attempted to have Albinus murdered. Albinus fled to Lugdunum, declared himself emperor, and then fell in battle about 4 months later.
Aemilian, July-October 253
In the Third Century, the Roman legions had the power to elevate one of their own to challenge the sitting emperor. Once nominated, you had to accept or risk losing your head. Aemilian was a general elevated in such a way; his troops managed to beat those of the sitting co-emperors, and he had just been ratified by the Senate when another challenger appeared, and Aemilian was murdered to avoid a fight.
Quintillus, Summer 270
Brother of the dead emperor Claudius II, he allegedly ruled only 17 days (although some argue the author meant 117) before being challenged by Aurelian. He killed himself to avoid civil war.
Tacitus, Fall 275 - Summer 276
Elevated at the ripe old age of 70-something, Tacitus ruled for nine months, fell ill, went off-the-rails crazy, and died of a fever
Florian, Summer 276
Brother of Tacitus, he ruled only 88 days before his troops killed him to clear the path for the usurper Probus.
Carus, October 282 - Summer 283
Another army general elevated on a whim, he led and incredibly successful campaign against Persia, but was killed in a freak lightning strike. He founded a "dynasty" that ruled Rome for just 3 years!
Julius Caesar, as Dictator Perpetuo , c. February - March 15, 44 BC
Murdered by his friends and colleagues after holding the title for not more than two months
Clodius Albinus, as usurper v. Septimius Severus, 197 AD
Severus concluded the civil war on the promise that Albinus would be second in command and eventually ascend to the throne. Severus reneged, elevated his son Caracalla instead, and attempted to have Albinus murdered. Albinus fled to Lugdunum, declared himself emperor, and then fell in battle about 4 months later.
Aemilian, July-October 253
In the Third Century, the Roman legions had the power to elevate one of their own to challenge the sitting emperor. Once nominated, you had to accept or risk losing your head. Aemilian was a general elevated in such a way; his troops managed to beat those of the sitting co-emperors, and he had just been ratified by the Senate when another challenger appeared, and Aemilian was murdered to avoid a fight.
Quintillus, Summer 270
Brother of the dead emperor Claudius II, he allegedly ruled only 17 days (although some argue the author meant 117) before being challenged by Aurelian. He killed himself to avoid civil war.
Tacitus, Fall 275 - Summer 276
Elevated at the ripe old age of 70-something, Tacitus ruled for nine months, fell ill, went off-the-rails crazy, and died of a fever
Florian, Summer 276
Brother of Tacitus, he ruled only 88 days before his troops killed him to clear the path for the usurper Probus.
Carus, October 282 - Summer 283
Another army general elevated on a whim, he led and incredibly successful campaign against Persia, but was killed in a freak lightning strike. He founded a "dynasty" that ruled Rome for just 3 years!
