Roman Emperors

1. Roman Emperors

2. Augustus (27BC-14AD) • Establishes the Principate – First among Equals • PaxRomana– time of peace, order, security, cultrue • Makes many changes to please all people • Public works, administration, civil service, military overhauled • Praetorian Guard – bodyguard for Emperor and Government • Moral regeneration of Rome – “great Roman ideals” • Religion, family values, stoicism, literature • Aims to secure peace through a successor

3. Tiberius (14-37AD) • Embittered, uncharismatic and unpopular Emperor • Deifies Augustus to gain support • Military campaigns consolidate the empire • Restrains the budget – stops public games • End of his reign known for terror, abandoning his responsibility and sexual perversion • Dies in seclusion on Isle of Capri

4. Caligula (37-41 AD) • Great nephew of Tiberius • Evil Emperor who proclaimed himself a god • Suffered from insanity • Parades through city dressed as a god • Names his horse consul • Kills for amusement • Army sent on illogical excursions • Sex Scandals – adultery, incest, prostitution • Bankrupts Rome – extortion and murder for funds • Assassinated by Praetorian Guard

5. Claudius (41-54AD) • Proclaimed Emperor by Praetorian Guard after murder of Caligula • Extends Empire – East, Africa, Britain • Removes power of the Senate –civil service & courts • Improvements to Rome • new port & drains marshes • Extends Roman citizenship • Adopts fourth wife Agrippina’s son Nero (from other marriage) as heir • Poisoned by Agrippina

6. Nero (54-68AD) • Greatly influenced by his mother • begins to despise her and plots her death – many attempts • Begins to indulge his every whim • Great Fire in Rome (64AD) • New plan to rebuild area including massive palace for Nero • Beginning of Christian persecution • Known for his cruelty, despotism and narcissism • Praetorian Guard and Armies revolt • Nero commits suicide

7. Vespasian (69-79AD) • Vast military career – ends civil war • Rebuilds treasury with honest taxes • Stabilizes the empires frontiers • Germania and Gauls suppressed • Jerusalem captured and Temple destroyed • Peace and prosperity of Rome shown in building of Colosseum • Amphitheatre for 50,000 people • Gladiatorial games, blood sports, public spectacles • Greatest work of Roman architecture and engineering

8. Trajan (98-117AD) • Beginning of ‘Golden Age of Rome’ • Military achievements • Rome’s borders extended • Increased trade around empire and world • Wins admiration by all classes • Plebs with shows • Army with endurance • Senate with respect • Many building projects • Infrastructure – aqueducts, temples, public baths • Trajan’s Market, Forum, Column, Bridge

9. Hadrian (117-138AD) • Very good emperor – well liked by people • Equestrians gain more administrative positions and power • Spent much of his reign touring the empire • Aim to maintain, improve & develop empire • Hadrian’s Wall – barrier across Britain preventing barbarian raids • Time of great peace – only one armed conflict • Trade increases and Latin becomes dominant • Interest in Greek culture and architecture

10. Marcus Aurelius (161-180AD) • Last of the “Good Emperors” • Virtuous character defined by Stoicism • Devoted to humanitarianism • War dominates his rule – revolts on many frontiers • Son Commodus was a degenerate and abandoned his father’s policies – eventually assassinated • With no heir the army takes over the government • Period of conflict, economic and societal decline • “A kingdom of gold to one of iron and rust”

11. Constantine (306-337AD) • Empire had been split into two parts • During battle he sees Christianity as way to victory • New religion as a means of unifying all Romans • Outstanding general, administrator and legislator • Recovery of economy through tough state controls • Capital is moved east to Byzantium (Constantinople) in 330AD • Split between East and West • Beginning of the end of the mighty Roman Empire