There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad-free.

Listen with Wondry Plus in the Wondry app.

As a member of NoisorPlus at noisor.com or in Apple Podcasts,

or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history podcasts at Into 193C.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 cavernor in space, the two men speak in hush tones, debating

their chances, and none of them like the odds. Pertanax has only been emperor for 87 days,

but already he's survived two attempted coups by the Praetorian Guard.

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

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

As Pertanax and Electus discuss their options, doors to the chamber shuddered, and then give way. The Praetorians are here,

hundreds of them. There are no guards left still loyal to Pertenax, so it only takes moments

for the soldiers to surround the emperor and his aid. But rather than run, Pertenax

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 Ecclectus, who pulls out his But at least one of the soldiers at the front of the crowd is unmoved.

He draws his sword, what is met by Ecclectus, who pulls out his own weapon to defend the emperor.

...