Pescennius Niger (usurper; c.56; r.193-194)
Pescennius Niger fought the Sarmatians in Dacia (182-183), and became the governor of Syria Palaestina (190-193). After allowing himself to be proclaimed emperor by Syrian legions, the entire East declared for him, including the nine legions stationed there. His headquarters was in Syria at Antioch.
The first move seems to have been made by Niger’s general Asellius Aemilianus (fl.176-193) the governor of Asia province (192-193), who by crossing the Bosporus and occupying Byzantium obtained a foothold in Europe. The troops of Severus, however, commanded by 20Fabius Cilo (fl.180-211) prevented Aemilianus from seizing Perinthus, an important road-junction on the northern shore of the Propontis.
Severus, learning of the invasion, ordered the armies of Pannonia and Moesia commanded, respectively, by 38Claudius Candidus (fl.177-199) and 06Marius Maximus (c.70; fl.178-230), to advance Thracia. Unable to oppose their superior strength, Aemilianus was forced to leave Byzantium and return to Asia Minor. The city itself fell after defending a two-and-half-year siege by Maximus.
In the autumn Aemilianus moving southwards from the Bosporus met the army of Candidus in the neighbourhood of Cyzicus (northwest Asia Minor). In the battle that ensued he was badly defeated. His troops were scattered and he fled the field but was captured during his flight and put to death.
Niger, after taking measures to protect Syria by barricading the Taurus, came to western Asia Minor with an additional force, Candidus advancing northwards after his victory at Cyzicus met and defeated Niger near Nicaea (northwest Asia Minor. Niger withdrew his forces to Antioch to regroup.
In mid-194 Niger advanced against Severus’ general 62Cornelius Anullinus (fl.170-199). The two forces met at Issus (south-central Asia Minor), where Niger’s army was routed once more and he retreated back to inside the walls of Antioch. On Anullinus’ approach he fled the city to seek refuge at the Parthian court but he was captured and executed.
04Clodius Albinus (usurper; c.47; r.196-197; 2/2)
In 195 Severus adopted himself into the Antonine dynasty and elevated his son Caracalla to the rank of caesar. Albinus, clearly now no longer the successor to the throne, discarded his allegiance to Severus and claimed the title of augustus (=co-emperor). Assembling an army from the British legions he crossed the English Channel (=Mare Britannicum) and established his capital in Lugdunum (=Lyon).
Severus meanwhile, making his way westwards to deal with Albinus, passed through Rome, Pannonia, Raetia, Germania Superior, and Gallia (=Gaul), adding men to his army as he went. On 19 February 197 in the outskirts of Lugdunum, their forces met and Albinus was severely defeated. He retreated to the city but was unable to escape and later committed suicide. His wife and sons were executed later and the city of Lugdunum sacked in retribution for its support of the rebel.
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