In the Year of the Five Emperors, Septimius Severus, a governor from Pannonia, maneuvered to become unquestioned emperor amidst several capable rivals. He first allied with Clodius Albinus in the west, naming him Caesar and heir, while eliminating a second rival, Pescennius Niger, in the east. Albinus would subsequently invade Gaul--bringing his forces into a massive battle at Lugdunum. Were these men really emperors, or just warlords?