The End of the Empire

In 188 Cleander further solidified his grip on power by creating a new office that superseded the two Praetorian prefects effectively putting him in charge of the Emperor's secret police. In 190 he and Commodus conspired to appoint 25 different men console, a record that would stand unchallenged for the rest of the life of the Empire. Included in that infamously long roll call of consoles for 190 though was a man who was about to reach the new climax point for the Roman politician, Septimius Severus.