Roman Emperors

Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus born in 76 and ruled as emperor from 117 to 138.He was a distant relative to Trajan, and according to Trajan’s wife, was named emperor immediately before Trajan’s death though historians have never been able to confirm this series of events.

Even though he was born in Spain, he was so interested in Greek literature during his schooling he was nicknamed Graeculus, meaning “Little Greek”. During the reign of Domitian, he enlisted in the army serving the Roman legion Legio II Adiutrix and was then transferred to the Legio I Minervia in Germany. He personally informed Trajan of Nerva’s death in 98 and later won awards from Trajan for his many strategic successes on the battlefield.

After the death of Trajan, Hadrian almost instantaneously had the support of the legions. During his reign he was left to suppress the Jewish revolt that began during the reign of Trajan and also sort out the Danube frontier.

The Pantheon in Rome owes its grandeur to Hadrian who enriched the building and created what stands for the public to view today. He spent much of his life traveling before and during his reign, and most of his architectural designs would have been influenced by ideas he had picked up during these travels.

In 138 Hadrian died of natural causes leaving his rule to Antoninus Pius who he had adopted in the months prior to his death.  

Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus born in 53 and ruled as emperor from 98 to 117. He was the son of a prominent senator and general.From a young age he was a member of the roman army and rose through the ranks, in 76 to 77 his father became Governor of Syria where Trajan was nominated as Consul. The Emperor Domitian’s successor Nerva was unpopular with the army and to gain their support adopted Trajan to become his successor as he was highly respected.

He freed many who had been imprisoned during Domitian’s reign and redistributed property that Domitian had claimed as his own, continuing what Nerva had set out to achieve before his death.

In 101 he launched an attack into the kingdom of Dacia and was successful, a year later the army advanced further forcing the regions’ king to submit to him as he took over the capital. He returned to Rome triumphant and 5 years later the entire region had been conquered successfully.

Many other battles were fought during his reign until in 117 he fell ill and died. His successor Hadrian was said to have been adopted by him before his death but rumour has it that Trajan’s wife had an impersonator adopt Hadrian after Trajan had died.

Marcus Cocceius Nerva born 30 and reined from 96 to 98He was the first roman emperor to choose his successor by their potential ruling capabilities rather than by a family relationship either through bloodline or adoption

Born 50 miles north of Rome, his family was of Italian nobility rather than part of the roman elite, and was also the last Italian ruler who was Italian by both birth and family heritage. his position before elevation to emperor was that of consul to both Vespasian in 71 and then again to Domitian in 90, upon Domitian’s death the senate elected Nerva as new emperor it is thought that he was a safe choice as he was elderly and without heir. during his reign he set about righting Domitian’s wrongs by releasing those imprisoned by Domitian for treason, allowed most who had been exiled the privilege of amnesty and re-included the roman senate to have a say over the ruling of the empire

The problem was Domitian still had followers in the Praetorian Guard, and in 97 these followers took Nerva hostage and was forced to disclose the parties that were responsible for the death of Domitian. Nerva wasn’t killed but his reputation was sorely damaged after this incident, as he had no natural child of his own he set about adopting an heir who would have support of both the roman civilians and the army. After much consideration he adopted a commander of the armies on the German frontier, Trajan. Nerva was reportedly ill with fever shortly after the adoption process and died.

Titus Flavius Domitianus born 51 ruled from 81 to 96He received the best education and studied rhetoric, literature, law and administration. During his adolescent years he did not follow his fathers and brothers footsteps to fight in the African provinces but once his father was proclaimed emperor he moved immediately to the imperial palace. He would later force the divorce of Domitia Longina (the youngest daughter of general Corbulo) and her existing husband to take her as his own wife which ultimately would form a very prestigious allegiance for both sides. Upon the death of his older brother Titus, Domitian ascended to emperor which created havoc. The economy went into recession which forced him to reduce the value of their silver currency. Taxes were then raised which understandably created problems with the Roman people. To restore his image he invested much money in renovating the cities appearance as it was still suffering after the great fire of Rome and civil war. Around 50 new buildings were erected and restored to provide a more aesthetically pleasing city.

His marriage ended in 83 after his wife was caught having an affair with the actor Paris who was then executed, and his wife exiled.

The following year he developed affection for his niece Julia who he married but then later died during an abortion. Following this Domitia was recalled to the palace as empress.

Being more of an educated man, spending most of his youth studying, he wasn’t much of a military leader and as a result he limited military enterprises. During the end of his reign he removed from the senate all their decision making powers and as a response, his enemies in the senate and his ex wife came together to arrange his assassination and he was killed in 96.

Titus Flavius Vespasianus born in 39 he ruled from 79 to 81He was best known for defeating the Jewish rebellion in 70 and his public building program during the term of his leadership. During his rule there were two major disasters, the first being the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 and the great fire of Rome in 80. During these two unfortunate periods he was seen as a generous and giving ruler who did his best to relive the suffering of his people.

He was the eldest son of the previous emperor, his father Vespasian and began his military career at the age of 22 traveling to Britannia and Germania. At the age of 25 he returned to Rome to marry the daughter of a former commander, she unfortunately died a year later and Titus married again this time producing a daughter. He later divorced and never remarried again although during his military career had an affair with a woman named Bernice who was frowned upon as she was compared to a new Cleopatra.

During his reign he stopped treason trials and punished public informants and also completed construction of the Colusseum. In 79 he died of a fever or of suspected poisoning by his brother who would eventually take over as emperor.

Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus born in 9, was the emperor of Rome from 69 to 79 and was the forth and final emperor of the “year of the four emperors”.He is known for starting the construction of the Colusseum.

His military career started in 36 when he joined the army; during a three year period he rose to the position of Aedile in the roman public office, enabling him to enforce public order. This was a stepping stone to high political office. When Claudius became emperor in 41 he was appointed legate of Legio II Augusta an infantry assault unit. During the Roman invasion of Britain, he fought 30 battles, subdued two powerful nations, invaded and captured 20 towns and set up a fortress and headquarters at Isca Dummoniorum. He was elected consul in 51 after which he retired from public life. In 63 he came out of retirement and was sent to Africa Province as governor where he was said to be an honourable and upright ruler. After his return from Africa he travelled Greece but was looked down upon by the current ruler Nero after not paying sufficient attention to his playing of the Lyre.

During the year of the four emperors, the followers of the deceased emperor Otho were looking for a new candidate to pledge their support to. Vespasian was chosen and so his rule, which lasted for 10 years, began.

During this reign he restored discipline to his army and set about to repairing the empires finances by initiating new taxes and restoring old ones. He filtered out the unfit and unworthy members of the senate and kept only the noble and trustworthy.

His reign ended upon his death caused by an intestinal inflammation.

Aulus Vitellius Germanicus, born in 15

Chosen by Galba in 68 to lead the Germania Inferior army he became popular among these men due to his extremely good nature and generosity.

In 69 when two commanders of legions refused to renew their vows of allegiance to Galba, Vitellius was proclaimed emperor of both the Germania Inferior and Superior armies. 3 more armies sided with them shortly after.

They marched on to Rome to find that Otho was the present ruler after the death of Galba. It was in fact the senate that recognised his rule and was never acknowledged as emperor by the greater Roman Empire. 

Hoping to win Othos favour around 120 people confessed to being a part of Galba’s death. A list of these names was drawn up and after Othos’ reign was over, Vitellius had every person on that list executed. 

His reign however was to be short lived as he soon found out that eastern armies had proclaimed their commander, Vespasian as emperor. When the armies ruled by Vitellius discovered this he was virtually deserted by his former supporters.

Otho’s family descended from princes of Etruria and were an ancient and noble line. Once Nero’s best friend, this friendship was brought to a halt once Otho was to find out about the romantic affair between Nero and Otho’s wife Poppaea.

Poppaea divorced Otho to wed Nero and then had Otho sent away to the remote province of Lusitania where he remained for 10 years

In 68 Otho accompanied Galba to Rome to form a revolt against Nero, what Galba didn’t know was that after this revolt, Otho intended to succeed his as emperor. When Galba adopted Piso as the future heir to his throne Otho was enraged and bribed 23 soldiers of the Praetorian Guard to help him in his quest. These guards soon influenced the rest of their camp who then returned to the Forum with Otho as their leader and slaughtered Galba, Piso and any supporters.

Soon Otho found himself preparing for war with rumours of the German population and other regions supporting Vitellius. The Battle of Bedriacum followed. Even though his troops were a formidable force Otho was forced to accept that his army was no match for the combination of Vitellius’ supporters. In the early hours of the morning he stabbed himself reportedly saying as his farewell “it is far more just to perish one for all, than many for one”

Servius Sulpicius Galba, born in 3 BC was the first emperor in what historians refer to as the year of the four emperors.

He came from a noble family and quickly earned a solid reputation for his military capability.

He loyally served Claudius and was retired by the time Nero came to power.

In 68, Nero ordered a murderous rampage on many roman nobles and although Galba feared for his life he was spared. When Galba heard of Nero’s death he assumed the title of Caesar and headed straight to Rome where soldiers halted him and made clear their demands if he was to continue peacefully. In fact, many of these soldiers were killed by Galba and his men.

During his brief reign Galba refused to pay soldiers for their loyalty and was disliked by many as he was like a puppet in the hands of 3 well known men of power.

Riots began in 69 and the masses demanded a new power be elected and took into their own hands the election of Vitellius.

In response to this Galba realised how unpopular he had become and elected his coadjutor Piso to replace him.

Otho, one of Galba’s earliest supporters was angry that he wasn’t chosen, communicated  with the discontented Praetorians who adopted him as the new emperor and slaughtered Galba and Piso soon after. 

Born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus in 37, Nero was the last emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

He was adopted by his grand-uncle Claudius to become heir and his reign began after his grand-uncles assassination.

Nero was the youngest Emperor after ascending to the title at just 17 years of age.

He was known as the emperor who “fiddled while Rome burned” and is remembered as a playboy and tyrant, he murdered his mother as her political influence would interfere with his divorce plans. After a romantic involvement with his best friend Othos’ wife Poppaea, Nero decided to seek divorce from his wife (and step-sister) and claim Poppaea for his own.

On the positive side he introduced cultural aspects such as theatre and athletics to Rome with the help of his Greek connections.

His reign consisted of a victorious war and then a peace negotiation with the Parthian Empire, improving diplomatic ties with Greece. He suppressed both the British revolt during 60-61 as well as a revolt in Gaul in 68.

It was Galba’s Hispanic revolt in 68 that prompted Nero’s suicide and led to the Civil War.