1 June AD 193
Septimius Severus emperor

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While commanding the legions on the Danube, Septimius Severus hears of the deaths of the emperor Commodus and his successor Pertinax. He is proclaimed emperor by his troops and marches on Rome, entering the city nine days after the murder of Didius Julianus, who had taken over from Pertinax. The Senate voted Septimius Severus emperor on 1 June AD 193. The first African to become emperor, he still faces several years of civil war before consolidating his position. This includes a serious challenge from Clodius Albinus, the governor of Britain, who leads the three British legions against Severus and comes close to triumphing over him before being defeated near Lyons. Severus rides his horse over the dead Albinus's naked body.

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