• PugJesus@piefed.socialOPM
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    10 days ago

    Explanation: In the aptly named Year of the Five Emperors, the Emperor Pertinax, a GOOD AND HONEST AND NOBLE EMPEROR, was brutally murdered by the Praetorian Guard, the supposed bodyguard of the Emperor, for [checks notes] not bribing them enough. The Praetorian Guard then sold the position of Emperor to the highest bidder - one Didius Julianus, who paid each soldier of the Praetorian Guard around 20 years pay for a common soldier in exchange for the Imperial office. And there were around 8,000 Praetorians.

    He himself was betrayed and killed by the Praetorians several months later.