The Auction of a Crown: When Power Was Bought

Chapters

1. 00:00The Guard's Greed
2. 00:22Julianus's Debt
3. 00:44The People's Fury
4. 01:06Severus's March
5. 01:27Desperate Measures
6. 01:49The Senate's Betrayal
7. 02:11The Final Hour
8. 02:33Severus's Revenge
9. 02:46The Year of Five Emperors
10. 03:08The Lesson of 193 AD
11. 03:22The Auction's Echo
12. 03:40The Cost of Greed
13. 03:58A Divided Empire
14. 04:17The Price of Peace

About this video

In 193 AD, the Roman Empire witnessed its most shocking sale: the imperial throne auctioned to the highest bidder. Discover how Didius Julianus bought the crown, sparking a civil war that shattered the empire. Chapters: 00:00 The Guard's Greed 00:24 Julianus's Debt 00:48 The People's Fury 01:12 Severus's March 01:36 Desperate Measures 02:00 The Senate's Betrayal 02:24 The Final Hour 02:48 Severus's Revenge 03:02 The Year of Five Emperors 03:26 The Lesson of 193 AD 03:41 The Auction's Echo 04:01 The Cost of Greed 04:20 A Divided Empire 04:42 The Price of Peace Sources & further reading: • Roman History — Cassius Dio, Book 73 (LXXIII), covering the reign of Didius Julianus and the auction. • History of the Empire from the Death of Marcus — Herodian, Book 2, detailing the auction and Severus's march on Rome. • Historia Augusta — Life of Didius Julianus, a late Roman collection of imperial biographies. • The Annals — Tacitus, for comparison with the earlier auction of 69 AD. • The Roman Empire: A Very Short Introduction — Christopher Kelly, Oxford University Press, for context on the Praetorian Guard. • Year of the Five Emperors — General historical reference on the period 193 AD.

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