Who Murdered Emperor Numerian? Aper, Diocletian Neither?
I have been reading into this a bit from a number of different sources and wanted to get your opinions on the matter. I'm first going to provide some background info before giving some possibilities.
Background information: Emperor Numerian is found dead by his men. For days prior the emperor had been out of view and under watch of his Praetorian Prefect Aper. It was said the emperor was suffering from inflammation of the eyes and did not want to be disturbed. Aper had repeatedly told the men everything was fine. The soldiers however noticed a foul smell and over Aper's objections went over to the Emperor only to find Numerian dead. In the aftermath a trail was held in which Diocletian, head of the emperors Domestici or household guards, accused Aper of murder and personally stabbed him to death. Diocletian then assumed the purple.
Pro Aper viewpoint: Aper was Numerian's father in law and had no reason to kill the emperor. Numerian was assassinated by Diocletian who also had access to his person. Aper merely concealed the death to gather support against the party responsible. The men who uncovered the dead emperor were Diocletian's men who already knew he was dead because they had killed him. Aper would of made everything clear had Diocletian not stabbed him to death at his trail.
Pro Diocletian viewpoint: Aper murdered Numerian to gain the throne. He probably also murdered Numerian's predecessor Carus. It was Diocletian's quick thinking that prevented the usurper from assuming power. Diocletian had every right to kill the traitor.
Neither: Numerian died of illness, both Diocletian and Aper were innocent of the murder. Aper concealed the death in order to build up support before assuming the throne. The men uncovered the dead emperor by mere chance and Aper was punished as such.
Its of course impossible to say for sure but what do you think is the most likely scenario?
I have been reading into this a bit from a number of different sources and wanted to get your opinions on the matter. I'm first going to provide some background info before giving some possibilities.
Background information: Emperor Numerian is found dead by his men. For days prior the emperor had been out of view and under watch of his Praetorian Prefect Aper. It was said the emperor was suffering from inflammation of the eyes and did not want to be disturbed. Aper had repeatedly told the men everything was fine. The soldiers however noticed a foul smell and over Aper's objections went over to the Emperor only to find Numerian dead. In the aftermath a trail was held in which Diocletian, head of the emperors Domestici or household guards, accused Aper of murder and personally stabbed him to death. Diocletian then assumed the purple.
Pro Aper viewpoint: Aper was Numerian's father in law and had no reason to kill the emperor. Numerian was assassinated by Diocletian who also had access to his person. Aper merely concealed the death to gather support against the party responsible. The men who uncovered the dead emperor were Diocletian's men who already knew he was dead because they had killed him. Aper would of made everything clear had Diocletian not stabbed him to death at his trail.
Pro Diocletian viewpoint: Aper murdered Numerian to gain the throne. He probably also murdered Numerian's predecessor Carus. It was Diocletian's quick thinking that prevented the usurper from assuming power. Diocletian had every right to kill the traitor.
Neither: Numerian died of illness, both Diocletian and Aper were innocent of the murder. Aper concealed the death in order to build up support before assuming the throne. The men uncovered the dead emperor by mere chance and Aper was punished as such.
Its of course impossible to say for sure but what do you think is the most likely scenario?