Decimus Clodius Septimius Albinus
CommonName: Clodius Albinus
Full Name: Decimus Clodius Septimius Albinus
Reign: 195-197 AD
Title: Emperor
Died: 197 AD
Relationship: Governor of Britain
Albinus, a North African like Severus, was governor
of Britain on the murder of Pertinax, and as he was ambitious he decided
to make a bid for power himself. He was nowhere near a match for Severus,
however, and he quickly realized this fact. Thus when Severus offered him
the title of Caesar as his colleague Albinus gladly accepted.
Unfortunately for him Severus was only making such
an offer to keep him quite in his campaign against Niger. Once the latter
had been destroyed Severus fully intended to eliminate Albinus as well.
Albinus therefore was alarmed when he learned that
Severus had proclaimed his son Caracalla as the new Caesar in place of
Albinus. To forestall Severus, Albinus crossed the Channel with his troops,
picking up the legions in Gaul. Severus, meanwhile, set out from Rome after
purging the Senate, and after some initial skirmishing the two armies met
at Lyons. In the battle Severus was entirely victorious and Albinus was
killed.
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Clodius Albinus, as Caesar. 194 AD. AR Denarius (2.92 gm). D CLOD SEP[T]
ALBIN CAES, bare head right / MINER PA-CIF COS II, Minerva standing left,
holding olive-branch and shield set on ground, spear resting against her
left arm. RIC IV 7; BMCRE 98; Hill 119; RSC 48.