COLLECTION OF IMPERIAL AUREI

Following the assassination of Commodus on December 31, 192, a period of anarchy ensued, known as the Year of the Five Emperors (193). The first to seize power (January 1, 193) was the elderly Publius Helvius Pertinax, who was then the prefect of the city. Born in 126 AD, Pertinax was an experienced military leader, a capable administrator and a wealthy senator. He gained the support of the Praetorian Prefect Quintus Aemilius Laetus, though the Senate opposed him from the outset. Pertinax attempted to restore order to the treasury by cutting expenditures, thus improving the living conditions of the populace. This led to unrest among some of the Praetorians, who demanded greater rewards for their support. Eventually, they revolted and assassinated him on March 28 after a reign of only 86 days. After his death, the Praetorians auctioned off the imperial throne, with the senator Didius Julianus securing it. However, disputes and civil wars continued until the final victory of Septimius Severus, who adopted the name Pertinax and ordered the deification of his predecessor in June 193. Additionally, in 195, Severus posthumously adopted himself as the son of Marcus Aurelius. The reverse of this coin, featuring Providentia Deorum, reflects the idea of legitimising imperial power through the will of the gods, who are seen as caring for the people by selecting a capable ruler. Pertinax aimed to solidify his authority with this concept.