Pescennius Niger - Wikipedia Pescennius Niger From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigation Jump to search Roman emperor from 193 to 194 Usurper of the Roman Empire Gaius Pescennius Niger Usurper of the Roman Empire Aureus of Pescennius Niger, Antioch mint. Legend: IMP CAES C PESC NIGER IVST AVG. Reign 9 April 193 – May 194 Predecessor Didius Julianus Successor Septimius Severus Born c. 135/140 Roman Empire Died 194 (aged 53–59) Roman Empire Names Gaius Pescennius Niger Regnal name Imperator Caesar Gaius Pescennius Niger Iustus Augustus Dynasty None Father Annius Fuscus Mother Lampridia Gaius Pescennius Niger (c. 135 – 194) was Roman Emperor from 193 to 194 during the Year of the Five Emperors. He claimed the imperial throne in response to the murder of Pertinax and the elevation of Didius Julianus, but was defeated by a rival claimant, Septimius Severus, and killed while attempting to flee from Antioch. Contents 1 Early career 2 Septimius Severus and Niger 3 Name 4 Popular culture 5 See also 6 Sources 6.1 Primary sources 6.2 Secondary sources 7 References 8 External links Early career[edit] AR denarius Pescennius Niger. Antioch mint, 3.12 g. Inscription: IMP[ERATOR] CAES[AR] G[AIVS] PESC[ENNIVS] NIGER IVST[VS] AVG[VSTVS] CO[N]S[VL] II /FELICITAS TEMPOR. Although Niger was born into an old Italian equestrian family, around the year 135,[1] he was the first member of his family to achieve the rank of Roman senator.[2] Not much is known of his early career; it is possible that he held an administrative position in Egypt, and that he served in a military campaign in Dacia early in Commodus’ reign.[3] During the late 180s, Niger was elected as a Suffect consul, after which Commodus made him imperial legate of Syria in 191.[4] He was still serving in Syria when news came through firstly of the murder of Pertinax, followed by the auctioning off of the imperial title to Didius Julianus.[5] Niger was a well regarded public figure in Rome[3] and soon a popular demonstration against Didius Julianus broke out, during which the citizens called out for Niger to come to Rome and claim the imperial title for himself.[6] As a consequence, it is alleged that Julianus dispatched a centurion to the east with orders to assassinate Niger at Antioch.[7] The result of the unrest in Rome saw Niger proclaimed Emperor by the eastern legions by the end of April 193.[8] On his accession, Niger took the additional cognomen Justus, or "the Just".[3] Although imperial propaganda issued on behalf of Septimius Severus later claimed that Niger was the first to rebel against Didius Julianus,[7] it was Severus who persisted, claiming the imperial title on 14 April.[2] Although Niger sent envoys to Rome to announce his elevation to the imperial throne, his messengers were intercepted by Severus.[3] As Niger began bolstering his support in the eastern provinces, Severus marched on Rome which he entered in early June 193 after Julianus had been murdered.[9] Septimius Severus and Niger[edit] Roman imperial dynasties Year of the Five Emperors (AD 193) Chronology Pertinax 193 Didius Julianus 193 Pescennius Niger 193 Clodius Albinus 193 Septimius Severus 193–211 Succession Preceded by Nerva–Antonine dynasty Followed by Severan dynasty Severus wasted no time consolidating his hold on Rome, and ordered his newly appointed prefect of the watch, Gaius Fulvius Plautianus to capture Niger’s children and hold them as hostages.[10] Meanwhile, Niger was busy securing the support of all of the governors in the Asiatic provinces, including the esteemed proconsul of Asia, Asellius Aemilianus, who had occupied Byzantium in the name of Niger.[11] He then proceeded to secure direct control over Egypt, while Severus did as much as he could to protect the wheat supply, and ordered troops loyal to him to keep watch on the western border of Egypt and prevent the legion stationed there -- Legio II Traiana Fortis -- from sending military aid to Niger.[12] Although the Asiatic provinces contained great wealth, Niger's military resources were inferior to Severus’. While Severus had the sixteen Danubian legions at his disposal, Niger possessed only six: three in Syria, the two stationed in Arabia Petraea, and one located at Melitene.[10] Niger therefore decided to act aggressively, and sent a force into Thrace where it defeated a part of Severus’ army under Lucius Fabius Cilo at Perinthus.[13] Severus now marched from Rome to the east, sending his general Tiberius Claudius Candidus ahead of him.[14] Niger, having made Byzantium his headquarters, gave Asellius Aemilianus the task of defending the southern shore of the Sea of Marmara.[14] As Severus approached, he offered Niger the opportunity to surrender and go into exile, but Niger refused, trusting in the outcome of a military encounter.[3] In the fall of 193, Candidus met Aemilianus in battle at Cyzicus, resulting in Niger’s forces being defeated as well as the capture and death of Aemilianus.[15] Byzantium was now placed under siege, forcing Niger to abandon the city and retreat to Nicaea.[14] The city remained loyal to Pescennius Niger, and it would take Severus until the end of 195 to finally capture Byzantium.[16] Another battle took place outside Nicaea in later December 193, which also resulted in a defeat for Niger. Nevertheless, Niger was able to withdraw the bulk of his army intact to the Taurus Mountains, where he held the passes for a few months while he returned to Antioch.[17] However, Niger's support in Asia was falling. Some previously loyal cities changed their allegiance, in particular Laodicea and Tyre.[16] By February 13, 194, Egypt had declared for Severus, as had the imperial legate of Arabia, further diminishing Niger’s chances.[18] After Severus had replaced Candidus with another general, Publius Cornelius Anullinus, Niger met Anullinus in battle at Issus in May 194, where after a long and hard-fought struggle, Niger was decisively defeated.[15] Forced to retreat to Antioch, Niger was captured while attempting to flee to Parthia.[19] Niger was beheaded, and his severed head was taken to Byzantium, but the city refused to surrender. Eventually, Severus stormed and completely destroyed Byzantium before he had it rebuilt.[16] Niger’s head eventually found its way to Rome where it was displayed.[13] After his victory in the east, Severus punished Niger’s supporters.[20] He had Niger’s wife and children put to death, while his estates were confiscated.[21] Name[edit] The name "Niger" means "black", which incidentally, contrasts him with one of his rivals for the throne in 194, Clodius Albinus, whose name means "white".[22] According to the Historia Augusta, his cognomen of "Niger" was given due to his black neck, which contrasted with the rest of his body.[23] Popular culture[edit] In the film The Fall of The Roman Empire Niger is played by Douglas Wilmer and depicted as a scheming henchman of Commodus. At the end of the film, Niger and Didius Julianus, played by Eric Porter, another crony of Commodus, compete against each other in the auction for the throne of Rome. See also[edit] Abdsamiya Sources[edit] Primary sources[edit] Cassius Dio, Roman History, Books 74 & 75 Herodian, Roman History, Books 2 & 3 Historia Augusta, Life of Pescennius Niger Secondary sources[edit] Southern, Pat. The Roman Empire from Severus to Constantine, Routledge, 2001 Potter, David Stone, The Roman Empire at Bay, AD 180-395, Routledge, 2004 Bowman, Alan K., The Cambridge Ancient History: The Crisis of Empire, A.D. 193-337, Cambridge University Press, 2005 http://www.roman-emperors.org/pniger.htm Meckler, Michael L, "Pescennius Niger (193-194 A.D.)", De Imperatoribus Romanis (1998) References[edit] ^ Potter, p. 101; Meckler, Pescennius Niger, Cassius Dio, 75:6:1 ^ a b Potter, p. 101 ^ a b c d e Meckler, Pescennius Niger ^ Meckler, Pescennius Niger; Southern, p. 28 ^ Bowman, p. 2; Meckler, Pescennius Niger ^ Meckler, Pescennius Niger; Potter, p. 101; Bowman, p. 2 ^ a b Potter, p. 99 ^ Southern, p. 28; Bowman, p. 2 ^ Bowman, p. 4; Meckler, Pescennius Niger ^ a b Potter, p. 103 ^ Southern, p. 32; Meckler, Pescennius Niger ^ Southern, p. 32 ^ a b Potter, p. 104 ^ a b c Bowman, p. 4 ^ a b Bowman, p. 4; Potter, p. 104; Southern, p. 33 ^ a b c Southern, p. 33 ^ Meckler, Pescennius Niger; Bowman, p. 4; Potter, p. 104 ^ Bowman, p. 4; Potter, p. 104 ^ Meckler, Pescennius Niger; Southern, p. 33 ^ Potter, p. 106 ^ Historia Augusta, Life of Pescennius Niger, 6:1 ^ Southern, p. 28 ^ Historian Augusta, Life of Pescennius Niger, 6:6 External links[edit] Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Pescennius Niger" . Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Pescennius Niger at Livius.Org Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pescennius Niger. Regnal titles Preceded by Didius Julianus Roman Emperor 193 in competition with Septimius Severus and Clodius Albinus Succeeded by Septimius Severus v t e Roman and Byzantine emperors and ruling empresses Principate 27 BC – AD 235 Augustus Tiberius Caligula Claudius Nero Galba Otho Vitellius Vespasian Titus Domitian Nerva Trajan Hadrian Antoninus Pius Marcus Aurelius Lucius Verus Commodus Pertinax Didius Julianus (Pescennius Niger) (Clodius Albinus) Septimius Severus Caracalla Geta Macrinus Diadumenian Elagabalus Severus Alexander Crisis 235–285 Maximinus Thrax Gordian I Gordian II Pupienus Balbinus Gordian III Philip the Arab Philip II Decius Herennius Etruscus Hostilian Trebonianus Gallus Volusianus Aemilianus Valerian Gallienus Saloninus Claudius Gothicus Quintillus Aurelian Ulpia Severina Tacitus Florian Probus Carus Carinus Numerian Gallic emperors Postumus (Laelianus) Marius Victorinus (Domitianus II) Tetricus I with Tetricus II as caesar Palmyrene emperors Vaballathus Zenobia Septimius Antiochus Dominate 284–395 Diocletian Maximian Galerius Constantius I Severus Constantine the Great Maxentius Licinius Maximinus Daza (Valerius Valens) (Martinian) Constantine II Constantius II Constans I Magnentius Vetranio Julian Jovian Valentinian I (west) Valens (east) Gratian (west) Valentinian II (west) Theodosius I Magnus Maximus Victor (Eugenius) Western Empire 395–480 Honorius Constantine III with son Constans II Constantius III Joannes Valentinian III Petronius Maximus Avitus Majorian Libius Severus Anthemius Olybrius Glycerius Julius Nepos Romulus Augustulus Eastern/ Byzantine Empire 395–1204 Arcadius Theodosius II Marcian Leo I Leo II Zeno Basiliscus Marcus Anastasius I Dicorus Justin I Justinian I Justin II Tiberius II Constantine Maurice with son Theodosius as co-emperor Phocas Heraclius Constantine III Heraklonas Constans II Constantine IV with brothers Heraclius and Tiberius and then Justinian II as co-emperors Justinian II (first reign) Leontios Tiberius III Justinian II (second reign) with son Tiberius as co-emperor Philippikos Anastasios II Theodosius III Leo III the Isaurian Constantine V Artabasdos Leo IV the Khazar Constantine VI Irene Nikephoros I Staurakios Michael I Rangabe with son Theophylact as co-emperor Leo V the Armenian with Symbatios-Constantine as junior emperor Michael II the Amorian Theophilos Michael III Basil I the Macedonian Leo VI the Wise Alexander Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos Romanos I Lekapenos with sons Christopher, Stephen and Constantine as junior co-emperors Romanos II Nikephoros II Phokas John I Tzimiskes Basil II Constantine VIII Zoë (first reign) and Romanos III Argyros Zoë (first reign) and Michael IV the Paphlagonian Michael V Kalaphates Zoë (second reign) with Theodora Zoë (second reign) and Constantine IX Monomachos Constantine IX Monomachos (sole emperor) Theodora Michael VI Bringas Isaac I Komnenos Constantine X Doukas Romanos IV Diogenes Michael VII Doukas with brothers Andronikos and Konstantios and son Constantine Nikephoros III Botaneiates Alexios I Komnenos John II Komnenos with Alexios Komnenos as co-emperor Manuel I Komnenos Alexios II Komnenos Andronikos I Komnenos with John Komnenos as co-emperor Isaac II Angelos Alexios III Angelos Alexios IV Angelos Nicholas Kanabos (chosen by the Senate) Alexios V Doukas Empire of Nicaea 1204–1261 Constantine Laskaris Theodore I Laskaris John III Doukas Vatatzes Theodore II Laskaris John IV Laskaris Byzantine Empire 1261–1453 Michael VIII Palaiologos Andronikos II Palaiologos with Michael IX Palaiologos as co-emperor Andronikos III Palaiologos John V Palaiologos John VI Kantakouzenos with John V Palaiologos and Matthew Kantakouzenos as co-emperors John V Palaiologos Andronikos IV Palaiologos John VII Palaiologos Andronikos V Palaiologos Manuel II Palaiologos John VIII Palaiologos Constantine XI Palaiologos Italics indicates a junior co-emperor, while underlining indicates a usurper. 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