The Year of Five Emperors
The Ancients

The Year of Five Emperors

B1IntermediateNovember 8, 202647 min
  • History

How do you celebrate the New Year in ancient Rome? With an assassination and a bloody free-for-all for the imperial throne, of course. Following the murder of the gladiator emperor Commodus on New Year’s Eve 192, a chaotic succession battle erupted. Tristan Hughes and Dr. Simon Elliott unpack the infamous Year of the Five Emperors; a riotous drama where mad, honourable, and ruthless men seize and lose the world’s greatest empire. MORE Commodus: The Gladiator Emperor Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify The Rise...

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Ever wondered why the Romans were defeated in the Teutoburg Forest? What secrets lie buried in prehistoric Ireland? Or what made Alexander truly great? With a subscription to History Hit,

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you can explore our ancient past alongside the world's leading historians and archaeologists. You'll also unlock hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a brand new release every single week, covering everything from the ancient world to World War II.

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Just visit historyhit.com slash subscribe. It began with the assassination of Emperor Commodus on New Years Eve 192. By the time Rome woke the next morning, a new year had begun and with it, one of the bloodiest succession battles in Roman history.

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