Clodius Albinus was one of three men declared emperor by the various groups vying for control of the principate in 193 CE, after the death of the corrupt Commodus. The senate, Praetorian Guard, and many soldiers across the empire all sought to position their own selection in the imperial seat, and Albinus was the choice of the troops stationed in Britain. Septimius Severus was acclaimed by the remaining western legions, and Pescennius Niger by his own in the eastern provinces. Severus quickly named Albinus his Caesar, or junior emperor, which served to pacified him and neutralized his threat as a direct and immediate enemy. Pescennius Niger was eliminated relatively soon thereafter, and as Severus took control of the eastern provinces, Albinus realized Severus had no intentions of sharing power. He was declared an enemy, and moved to assemble troops. Albinus made a rival claim to the principate with considerable support from his legions, as illustrated by this denarius bearing the rivaling title “Augustus.” Note that this coin seems to have been minted hurriedly, a marker of the mint in Lugdunum, where he based his power, rather than the careful fineness of the earlier issues from Rome. The reverse is concerned with the vital support of his legion. Severus personally attended to the battle outside of Lugdunum (modern Lyon, France) and defeated his forces. Albinus committed suicide, and Severus was rumored to have mutilated his body and sent his enemy’s head to Rome. He ruthlessly persecuted any suspected supporters of either Niger or Albinus – whether individuals or cities. KHK.