Roman Emperors

Augustus
Augustus ruled from 27 B.C - 14A.D. His reign was known as the Pax Romana although Augustus did a lot of expanding Rome. However he did make peace with some neighboring states. He also reformed taxation and developed a network of roads.

Tiberius
One of Romes greatest generals, Tiberius conquered Pannonia, Dalmatia, Raetia, and temporarily Germania. Unfortanetely Tiberius was remembered as dark and unenthusiastic.

Caligula
Caligula was member of the House of Rulers before becoming emperor. As emperor he was known as noble but insane and a tyrant. He built two new aqueducts, the Aqua Claudia and the Anio Novus. Caligula was assassinated in 41 A.D.

Claudius
Claudius constructed many new roads, aqueducts, and canals in Rome. He conquered Thrace, Noricum, Pamphylia, Lycia, and Judea.

Nero ruled Rome fro 54-68 A.D. He built many theaters and promoted athletic games, but was believed to have started the Great Fire of Rome in 64. This as well as the rebellion of the Vindex in Gaul in 68 caused Nero to be a candidate for assassination. Because of this he committed suicide on June 9, 68 A.D.

Nero

Vespasian
Vespasian was emperor from 69-79 A.D. He is best known for his campaign of Judea, founding the Flavian dynasty, financial reforms, and constructing the Colosseum.

Titus
Emperor from 79-81 A.D. Titus is known for completing the colosseum and relieving the suffering caused by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 and a fire in Rome in 80.

Domitian

Domitian was emperor from 81-96 A.D. He changed Roman coinage and expanded the border defenses of Rome.He wanted to control the public and private morals, making him popular with the people but thought of as a tyrant by the Senate, which had some members eventually assassinate him.

Marcus Aurelius

Marcus ruled from 161-180 A.D. He ruled with Lucius Verus as co-emperor until Lucius died in 169. Aurelius was a philosopher and a commander; he defeated the Parthian empire and was victorious in the Marcomannic wars.

Commodus

Emperor from 180-192 A.D., Commodus devalued the coin value and kept Rome at peace, although he was very fond of gladitorial combat and would often participate in them. In 192 he even resigned from his role of Emperor to become a consul and gladiator.

Diocletian

Emperor from 284-305 A.D, Diocletian defeated the Sarmatians, Carpi, Alammani, and parts of Egypt and Persia during his reign. Because of military growth, campaigning, and constructions, the tax reform had to be raised.

Diocletian tried to slow the rising price of goods but his ideas didnt work well and were soon ignored. The Tetrarchic system that Diocletian had been using (four rulers) was also uncommon after his death in 311.

Constantine

Constantine the first, known as Constantine the Great, was Roman emperor from 306-337 A.D. In 313 Constantine and his co-emperor, Licinius, sent out The Edict of Milan, requiring religious tolerance throughout the whole empire.

In civil wars Constantine defeated Licinius and Maxentius, as well as campaigning against the Franks, Alammani, Visigoths, and Sarmatians. Where Byzantium had once been Constantine built a new city, naming it New Rome, however it was renamed Constantinople in honor of Constantine and was eventually made to be the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.