However , the following year , a detachment of soldiers from Britain ( they had been drafted to Italy to suppress brigands ) denounced Perennis to the emperor as plotting to make his own son emperor . They had been enabled to do so by Cleander , who was seeking to dispose of his rival . However , the following year , a detachment of soldiers from Britain ( they had been drafted to Italy to suppress brigands ) also denounced Perennis to the emperor as plotting to make his own son emperor ( they had been enabled to do so by Cleander , who was seeking to dispose of his rival ) , and Commodus gave them permission to execute him as well as his wife and sons .