the aftermath of pertinax's murder saw sulpicianus trying to quell a disturbance among the praetorian guard. hearing of pertinax’s death, he was offered the imperial title and he turned to the praetorians to gain their approval. he proceeded to offer 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 outbid sulpicianus, thereby winning their support. julianus was saluted as "imperator" by the praetorians, and the new emperor proceeded to pardon his rival, retaining sulpicianus as the urban prefect.