It's March 28th, 193 C.E. inside the Imperial Palace in Rome.

The ruler of the mighty Roman Empire,

Emperor Pertanax, paces the halls nervously.

He's canceled his scheduled appearances for the day and taken shelter deep within the palace.

Where it has reached the 67-year-old Pertanax that there will soon be an attempt on his life.

Walking alongside the Emperor is his most senior official

Electus. Alone in this cavern in space, the two men speak in

hushed tones debating their chances and none of them like the odds.

Pertanax has only been Emperor for 87 years. chances and none of them like the odds.

Pertinax has only been emperor for 87 days, but already he's survived two attempted

coups by the Petorian Guard.

Pretorians are soldiers who are sworn to protect the emperor, but after Pertinax made moves to limit their power and prestige, the guard turned to him.

Pertinax narrowly escaped their earlier attempts on his life, but he knows his luck cannot last.

As Pertanax and Electus discussed their options, doors to the chambers shuttered,

and then give way. The Praetorians are here, hundreds of them. There are no guards left still loyal to Pertanax, so it only takes moments for the soldiers to surround the Emperor and his aid. But rather than run, Hurtinax uses the only weapon he has left.

Remaining calm but raising his voice, he reminds the guards of their duty and tries to make them see reason. What they are doing is not

the behavior of civilized men of Rome. For a few minutes it seems like it's working, but

at least one of the soldiers at the front of the crowd is unmoved.

He draws his sword, what is met by a collectus, who pulls out his own weapon to defend

the earm.

The unsheathing of weapons breaks the spell Pertanax is cast and the other guards join in the fight.

Electus is brave, but no match for the hundreds of soldiers and he quickly falls.

...