1. Pescennius Niger 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.
11 Facts About Pescennius Niger
1. 2.
Pescennius Niger was still serving in Syria when news came of the murder of Pertinax, followed by the auctioning off of the imperial title to Didius Julianus.
3.
Pescennius Niger was a well regarded public figure in Rome and soon a popular demonstration against Didius Julianus broke out, during which the citizens called out for Pescennius Niger to come to Rome and claim the imperial title for himself.
4.
On his accession, Pescennius Niger took the additional cognomen Justus, or "the Just".
5.
Meanwhile, Pescennius 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 Pescennius Niger.
6.
Pescennius 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.
7.
Pescennius Niger, having made Byzantium his headquarters, gave Asellius Aemilianus the task of defending the southern shore of the Sea of Marmara.
8.
Nevertheless, Pescennius 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.
9.
Pescennius Niger was beheaded, and his severed head was taken to Byzantium, but the city refused to surrender.
10.
Pescennius Niger had Niger's wife and children put to death, while his estates were confiscated.
11.
Pescennius Niger is known to have been married and had children.