Pertinax - Son of a Slave Who Became Emperor #19 Roman History Documentary Series

[@tiberiuscave4617]

Unfortunately, the portrait used in this video to depict Pertinax does not actually depict Pertinax. It's housed at the Vatican Museum and, while formerly thought to be Pertinax, nowadays it's more accepted as the depiction of Plautianus, the praetorian prefect of Septimius Severus. Indeed, this bust does not bear much of Pertinax's known features (eg. he lacks curly hairs). There's no surely identified statue/bust of Pertinax.

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Yeah you're right, I just found that out earlier today as I was doing research for the upcoming Septimius video...

[@tiberiuscave4617]

@@TheSPQRHistorian don't worry, unfortunately the inscription under the bust still identifies him as Pertinax...

[@craigbhill]

There was more than one reason many ancient and even still-ongoing cultures refused to portray the faces of the men they venerated, gods, especially. Like children we want to know the face we're told is Pertinax, even if it's wrong. We have to see an image, we think, when it's better for more than one good reason we do not fix on a certain look, not just for its inaccuracy but it makes the mind lazy, better reasons than the ones usually proffered, that it steals the soul of the dearly departed depicted, when the depicted didn't actually always look the way we see him, even in photographs which diminish the being with aspects of him living you could only realize in person. Not as mere reproduction.

[@tkenny8527]

@@craigbhill sure buddy Words out of context too

[@Eazy-ERyder]

@@craigbhill I hear ya. You're absolutely RIGHT, especially regarding the need to see SOME facial depictions.

[@theicepickthatkilledtrotsk658]

Pertinax the son of a slave that became the emperor of Rome. A great general and stoic thinker.If only Marcus Aurelius chose him as his successor the Roman golden age could have lasted at least 20 years longer.

[@RhmnLego]

True! sadly, such a talent was cut short probably his only mistake was to trust the praetorians (the murderers of his predecessor)

[@brianaguila6925]

If only Marcus Aurelius chose him instead of Commodus and the Senate backed this demand things would have been different

[@kevingonzales5149]

He didn't pay the pretorian guard and was cut down. Then they sold the imperatus to some other damn fool!

[@Gizzatow]

@CipiRipi00 жаль,что Коммод не умер в младенчестве как многие дети Марка...

[@Gizzatow]

@CipiRipi00 да без проблем,я вообще не думал что мне кто то ответит.Россия-страшное место и жутко опасное.И в идеологии этой страны есть такое утверждение,что Москва-третий Рим,а четвёртому не бывать.Так что считай,что мы преемники Коммода и его шизофрении))

[@harbingerd.8457]

Pertinax would have had been a great emperor if it wasn't for those greedy AF praetorians. Fortunately, Pertinax had the last laugh because Septimius Severus redeemed his memory by deifying him, recognizing his rule to be legit, executed the soldiers who murdered him, and putting his name as part of his Imperial title.

[@joeywheelerii9136]

Plus he replaced all the praetorians with his loyal vets. He also took all those Praetorians money and property

[@martiawesome]

septimius severus is a terrible emperor..the crisis of the third century is mainly his doing..the roman empire’s army got too big in his familys reign and has to debased the coins to pay them..resulting in the decline of the roman economy..and it became too militaristic in its bureaucracy

[@EasternRomanHistory]

Fantastissmus as usual, Pertinax reminds me Titus in some ways. An emperor whose reign was far shorter than it should have been. To think his death would lead to civil war!

[@eutropius2699]

Was Titus the general who sieged Jerusalem during Nero’s reign

[@solaurelian7638]

@@eutropius2699 Briefly yes, the majority of the revolt was put down by Titus when his father Vespasian was emperor.

[@eutropius2699]

@@solaurelian7638 I see

[@petersclafani4370]

It was the roman way. Assassinations. Followed by civil wars. Money, powerful senators, corruption all would lead to romes fall. There are lessons for our leaders to learn.

[@geordiejones5618]

Titus was kind of like a more successful Germanicus imo. Great general, very popular among the soldiers and people who lived long enough to take part in the nuance of imperial adminsitration and even rule for a short time. If he'd lived 10-15 more years he might have gone down as one of the best emperors. I think Trajan in particular took cues from how the Senate and people responded to Titus.

[@septimiusseverus343]

_I always held this great and honourable man in the highest esteem and took his name for my own. His murderers were punished as they deserved._

[@causantinthescot]

His successor was Dildious Julianus (Sorry that's a bad joke, but this person was terrible). Luckily he was killed by you before Didius Julianus re-spread any forms of c*mmodus' decadence.

[@Hilversumborn]

Pertinax had the potential to be another great emperor.

[@EasternRomanHistory]

Pertinent Pertinax, someone had to make the pun.

[@ktom5262]

He was succeeded by Impertinax, who was known to be impertinent.

[@Francis_0120]

I don't think that this man is incapable of ruling the empire. He was just like Galba, who is overly strict, but unlike Galba, he would be a great emperor if his reign got longer

[@fedecano7362]

you mean you think is capable¿

[@darkapollo3463]

@@fedecano7362 that is what he said.

[@alessandrogini5283]

@@fedecano7362 i think that also otho and Alexander severus deserved a longer reign

[@ひろゆき二十一]

May Fortuna compel the gods of KZbin algorithm to bless this amazing channel.

[@victorvanmurray7664]

This is my favourite video of the series because Pertinax has been my favourite emperor since i first learned about him. He is a fascinating historical character, i wonder how the empire would have looked if he lasted a little longer!

[@paultyson4389]

What a sad end for such a great man. I am sure he would have made a great emperor if he'd been given the opportunity to continue but Rome was in a state of murderous anarchy. Thanks.

[@redjirachi1]

Had he been emperor he would probably still have his son succeed him. Admittedly said son wouldn't be a spoiled brat, but it still makes me wonder if Pertinax Jr would be capable. I know he was eventually killed off in Caracalla's reign, but I don't know enough about the guy to see if he was a good Roman or not

[@rafaeldelgado2487]

Another great video.

[@josephiscancelled2732]

This content is so high quality. I'm so glad I found this channel a while back, and this latest wave of videos has been amazing. I was a little worried we wouldn't see any new content again... Believe me, this channel will be huge, and the back catalogue is fantastic!

[@drillxedit]

Excellent video and quality commentary. Petrinax is an underrated Emperor.

[@redjirachi1]

Pertinax has promise to be the second coming of Nerva Sadly, he was the second coming of Galba

[@christopherevans2445]

Ty to the great contemporary historian Cassius Dio, who was a Senator at the time. His Roman history is one of the most important pieces we have.

[@camilobautista46]

Pleaseee dont stop these videoss

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

I wont 😁

[@justinian-the-great]

Pertinax is what the Empire needed instead of Commodus. Unfortunately Marcus Aurelius miscalculated and gave it one of the worst emperors. In a way he is similar to Otho by the means that he also had a great potential, but was unfortunately ruined by his own mercifulness. Also he is the last Emperor who was wholly supported by the Senate. I gues that from now on The SPQR Historian is going to have a serious problems with determining whom to actually include in this glorious series, since there are so many usurpers. I do wonder whom of the rest 4 emperors from the 193 you are going to include and will Clodius Albinus and Pescennius Niger be included?

[@benjaminjeff5329]

usurpers and prisoners from there on the decay of the empire

[@causantinthescot]

And his successor was Dildoius Julianus (Sorry this was a bad joke, but you know how bad Didius Julianus was.)

[@justinian-the-great]

@@causantinthescot True, Didius was an incompetent idiot. Btw my friend, I see you in so many responses to my comments.

[@mattlaukon7674]

Gawd, I love your channel so entertaining. 👍

[@jmmp7290]

Fantastic video! Keep up the good work!

[@arturleperoke3205]

I feel like the Preatorians were a greater catastrophy to Rome than the antonine plague, or the costly marcomannic wars

[@giacomogiromella3457]

well done

[@saltycreole2673]

Pertinax' mistake was to not decapitate and reform the Praetorian Guard.

[@markostojanovicSokrat]

fantastic video 👌👌

[@bumblebeeeoptimus]

This is my favorite emperor of the Pertinaxian dynasty.

[@keithpharoah6110]

RIP Pertinax, you were a real one.

[@JustinCage56]

He was the very definition of wasted potential. Rebalanced the economy Issued fair laws And was starting to revert the Empire into a Republic again seeing how destructive one Emperor can be with too much power.

[@alessandrogini5283]

Alexander severus could had a second pertinax

[@jimmehjiimmeehh9748]

Perk up Pertinax! Profoundly pressing package of power plant profit projections for Pete Porter in Pasadena.

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

At 10:40, "Pertinax punished this mutiny, severely." And then you move on. But given that the man was left for dead, it kinda begs the question - HOW did he manage to punish the mutiny??? I feel like you should have either elaborated, or if no sources were available for it, you should have said so. Otherwise, great work!

[@lukang72]

Great biography. Unfortunate and tragic end for a noble man who could have restored the empire's fortunes

[@noticing33]

So can we find commodus' statues in the Tiber now?

[@Retro77691]

Pertinax Was American 🇺🇸

[@Tiger1AuasfE]

Maybe the first thing he should have done is, reform the praetorian guard...

[@RexFuturi]

He was trying. It was in refusing their demands that they decided to kill him.

[@Tiger1AuasfE]

@@RexFuturi Reform, I ment changing the guards all to gether, not just trying to discipline them.

[@RexFuturi]

@@Tiger1AuasfE It wasn't that simple. Had he tried that, they would have killed him even sooner. The Praetorians were a law unto themselves.

[@Tiger1AuasfE]

@@RexFuturi Yes I know the influence that the guard had, but still a bit absurd an emperor to fall under their presasure, they were spoiled a bit to much from comodus at his rein and the emperors before.

[@robertthompson9574]

Septimus Severus had the right idea about the Praetorian guards

[@Raven.378]

I'm an independent researcher in archaeology, There is the Emperor's tomb Commodos.

[@Hugh_Morris]

Pertinax, a great man.

[@lobo1928]

exciting great voice too.

[@melissastone5755]

Always wondered what had happened to Sam the Eagle 🤭 So much better than the 1st narrator, I love this animated voice style 👍

[@dragosmihailazar2638]

I remember your voice from a Michael the Brave Video .

[@mgm6076]

niceeee...

[@hedylus]

Most academics tend to exclude the strict class system in the Greek speaking world, and the 400,000 sesterti required for entry into the Equestrian Order was an absolute requirement for a command appointments. The highest position that a Praetorians tended to achieve was as a centurion or as a minor official, and of course, fluent Aegean Greek was also a requirement in order to transmit orders from the commanders into Latin for those in the lower ranks, who may not have been smart enough to speak Aegean Greek.

[@holysaintknight343]

He was a good emperor really

[@alessandrogini5283]

Could i suggest you two Books about the Last severan emperor,starting the third century crisis?

[@AYVYN]

Pertinax: I will balance the budget, eliminate inflation, restore the economy. Rome will last another 100 centuries. Praetorian Guard: Pay us or you won’t last another 100 seconds.

[@bretnielsen5502]

The denarius of Pertinax was a pricey acquisition.

[@WildMen4444]

Started as the son of a slave, became emperor of Rome, was worshipped as a divus after death. Hail to the Divine Pertinax!

[@WaveChronicles0]

Pertinax assassination is one of the most interesting in history IMO. A month standoff with the pretorians over their bonus. A good man who served Rome faithfully and loyally his entire life. Never wanted to be emperor but accepted his duty. Paid them but was unwilling to give what they were promised by someone else. Stood on his morals and lost his life for it. No better example of the Praetorian’s greed.

[@MCorpReview]

Did he get a cameo in gladiator with chubby russel Crowe? I remember that falco had a cameo. Who r d other five? I only know of septimius Severus

[@junesilvermanb2979]

Publius Helvius Pertinax (1 August, 126 - 28 March, 193) was Roman emperor for the first three months of 193. He succeeded Commodus to become the first emperor during the tumultuous Year of the Five Emperors.

[@xxcoopcoopxx]

What do you think, SPQR Historian; is Phillip K. Dick accurate; did the empire ever end?

[@askindo5466]

Pain :(

[@mk9650]

Correct the title please!

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Done

[@anarchopupgirl]

Not to be rude but there's a spelling error in the title- it says "bacame"

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Thank you, it's fixed

[@herbertgearing1702]

Inspiring and tragic story. He seems like a remarkable man and would likely have served Rome well for as long as he was able. There are some Roman assassinations which are understandable and its obvious why the public did not turn on the Pretorian guard, but this one is a mystery unless I am missing something. The true problem at the root of Rome's leaders life expectancy issue is that Rome was politically violent by nature from Romulus to Marian, from Sulla to Ceasars and continued down through their Byzantine descendants. Assassination and coupes were granted legitimacy by the inaction of the good men and thus permitted to prosper they cease to be treason. The true mystery is how a people so divided and riddled with instability, and corruption were able to thrive and survive so long as they did.

[@Kyle_Schaff]

Just came to let you know about a spelling error in the title: “Bacame”

[@Fatherofheroesandheroines]

I had a strange teacher who once told me we get the word pertinent from this man. Who knows?

[@oatnoid]

Those Parthians really knew how to Parthy.

[@lastoftheb00mers]

Pure fury.

[@stevenleslie8557]

Always the Pratorean guard with a grevince.

[@idipped2521]

The praetorian guard was a disgrace to Rome

[@Gundus1000]

Good to know that Septimius Severus dealt with this scum of a Praetorian Guard.

[@idipped2521]

The praetorian guard should have been abolished, they were lower than whale crap

[@idipped2521]

The praetorian guard was disgusting.

[@niccoarcadia4179]

Pertinax should have paid off the Pretorian guards. Greasing palms was mandatory.

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

True

[@leventetanka754]

Nico Arcadia : No, he should have brought a legion to Rome and wipe out that band of thugs. Then install a cohort of trusted soldiers as the new guard.

[@AlistairSaldanha]

Bacame?

[@thadtuiol1717]

The Praetorian Guard were the Roman military's spoiled, perfumed, greedy show ponies. I'm so glad Constantine finally disbanded them.

[@MMijdus]

A beautiful story! An emperor with almost christian virtues!

[@henkstersmacro-world]

👍👍👍

[@causantinthescot]

He had the potential, but sadly his successor was named Dildoius Julianus......

[@MCorpReview]

Sound like d guy on history marche

[@raicattivo]

One of the Praetorians worst crimes

[@MikeFife92]

The praetorian guard should have been disbanded with every new emperor.

[@Gizzatow]

Пертинакс-несостоявшийся Нерва,а Север-несостоявшийся Траян.Да,золотого века больше не будет.

[@SkoomaCat]

I don't think Pertinax know he is also a funny youtube channel xD

[@tomurg]

10:44 Hitlers Dad would have liked Pertinax

[@jamesodom4980]

Oh no, it’s this narrator. It sounds like his vocal cords have to do cartwheels just to say basic words like “empire” and “cavalry”.

[@brunopereira6789]

The sixth good emperor

[@noticing33]

Shoulda sent them praetorians to the front lines

[@lfMzz]

*Became

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Changed, thanks

[@EasternRomanHistory]

@@TheSPQRHistorian It is still bacame for me.

[@JuanCanuck]

*became

[@stephenparker9071]

Behind the times obviously, but this narrator is a step down. Not sure I can keep watching with this choice.

[@josephpercente8377]

Historia Augusta is not very reliable source.

[@ljgaming639]

Classic. Emperor who would have been good comes to power and the praetorians kill him. SMH.

[@andrewmcandrew7642]

It's strange... I love history and if I ever was an ancient king/emperor I don't think I'll have been the Alexander, or the charismatic Caesar, or the most beloved Marcus Aurelius. Knowing my own personality it seems like I must have been pertinax in my old life 😭😭 his story and way of life resonates with me so much.

[@anglophone412]

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. You (and I for that matter) have no idea how we would react to becoming emperor.

[@egay86292]

boogie.

[@thomasnuedling9167]

The narration was poor. 😞

[@whoarewe7515]

Bandage

[@akscjdid1793]

Excuse me but your pronounciation is just too much for me. Nice video still

[@mrbushlied7742]

Why did so many emperors and would-be emperors come out of Britain?