The Year of Five Emperors

<p>The vicious Emperor Commodus is dead after one cruelty too many. How should a successor be chosen?</p><p> By election? The Senate chooses the capable bureaucrat Pertinax.</p><p> By purchase? The Praetorians like Didius Julianus or at least his money.</p><p> By inheritance? Clodius Albinus is from an ancient family with imperial ties.</p><p> By force? A major branch of the army backs the blunt Septimius Severus.</p><p> By acclamation? The common people adore the humble Pescennius Niger.</p><p> Rival gods too contend for the people's loyalties. In a Rome that is tearing itself apart the household of Tullius Secundus a Senator of the old school struggle to find happiness and love.</p>