Roman History

Septimius Severus

Originally from North Africa

Septimius Severus

Had the best army and catered to the army to hold power

Septimius Severus

Admitted barbarians into the army

Septimius Severus

Triumphal Arch in the Roman Forum

Caracalla

Son of Septimius Severus

Caracalla

Co-ruled with brother GETA then had him assassinated

Caracalla

Raised the army wages, bribed barbarians to stay away from Rome

Caracalla

Taxes increased dramatically and inflation

Caracalla

Built the biggest baths in Rome, Murdered by Praetorians

Macrinus

Head of Praetorians under Caracalla

Macrinus

First emperor not from a senatorial family

Macrinus

Ruled for a year before being killed by the Praetorians in favor of Elagabalus

Elagabalus

Distantly related to prior Severan emperors

Elagabalus

Tried to get everybody to worship the sun god Heliogabalus

Elagabalus

Ruled from age 14-18, got married 5 times including once to a man

Elagabalus

His own grandmother Julia Maesa orchestrated his assassination by the Praetorians

Severus Alexander

Another member of the Severan dynasty, cousin of Elagabalus

Severus Alexander

Became emperor at age 13

Severus Alexander

Thrice married

Severus Alexander

Fought against Persians and germans, Decent and liberal emperor, but not great militarily

Diocletian

Restored some semblance of order

Diocletian

Only emperor to retire (in Illyricum)

Diocletian

Split up the Empire into 4 quarters (tetrarchy)

Constantine

Ruled as a tetrach and then ruled alone

Constantine

Became a Christian (Battle of the Milvian Bridge) (“in hoc signo vices”)

Constantine

Passed the Edict of Milan which granted religious toleration

Constantine

Council of Nicaea to decide the Christian doctrine

Constantine

As Western Empire collapsed, moved to Constantinople and made it the capital city

Julian

Tried to change from Christianity to Roman Gods

Romulus Augustus

Last Roman Emperor