v25_0311 - PESCENNIUS NIGER Denier

PESCENNIUS NIGER

(04/193-10/195)

C. Pescennius Niger was born around 135. Consul suffect in 190, he became governor of Syria the following year. After the death of Pertinax and in front of the negligence of Dide Julien, he is proclaimed august in Antioch with the support of all the East and of nine legions. At the same time, Septimius Severus was proclaimed in Carnuntum. Sévère is the fastest and takes Rome, then marches against Niger. The latter was beaten at Cyzicus in January and then at Nicaea in April 194. Definitively crushed at the battle of Issus (September 194), he fled from Antioch, but was captured and then executed with his family and many supporters.