The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Pertinax
(Publius Helvius Pertinax) (pûr´tnks) (KEY) , 126193, Roman emperor (193), b. Liguria. Formerly a general, he reluctantly succeeded Commodus on the throne. Attempting to curb license in the Praetorian Guard, he was slain by a soldier, thus ending his brief reign of three months. Didius Julianus succeeded him.