Background
A senator, he was probably the son of Flavius Titianus, who was the equestrian Prefect of Egypt under the Roman Emperor Hadrian.
politician Ancient Roman senator
A senator, he was probably the son of Flavius Titianus, who was the equestrian Prefect of Egypt under the Roman Emperor Hadrian.
He attempted to become Roman Emperor after the death of Pertinax in 193. Sulpicianus was probably born in the Cretan town of Hierapytna around the year 137. Sulpicianus’ early career is unknown, but in around 170 he was appointed suffect consul.
Hearing of Pertinax’s death, he was offered the imperial title and he turned to the Praetorians in Rome to gain their approval.
He proceeded to offer them each soldier 20,000 sesterces, or eight years worth of wages, the same amount offered by Marcus Aurelius in 161. Unfortunately, a fellow senator, Didius Julianus appeared and began to bid for their support as well, and he made them a higher offer, which they accepted.
Julianus was saluted as imperator by the Praetorians, and the new emperor proceeded to pardon his rival, retaining Sulpicianus as the urban prefect. Sulpicianus survived Julianus’ death and the arrival of the new emperor Septimius Severus.
However, possibly due to his having supported the rival imperial claimant Clodius Albinus, Sulpicianus was tried and executed in 197.
Sulpicianus had at least two children. A son, Titus Flavius Titianus who was suffect consul ca. He also had a number of estates around Praeneste.
