Roman Emperors and Majors Figures

Augustus

Julio-Claudian (27 BC-14 AD); first emperor originally named Octavian, adopted great-nephew by Julius Caesar, Pax Romana, Res Gestae, adopted by great uncle Julius Caesar

Tiberius

Julio-Claudian (14-37 AD); successful general, lived and ruled mostly from the island of Capri, Sajanus

Caligula

Julio-Claudian (37-41 AD); cruel “little boot,” made a horse a senator; had soldiers attack the shells on a seashore; erratic behavior

Claudius

Julio-Claudian (41-54 AD); intelligent, yet physically challenged; conquers Britain, son named Britannicus

Nero

Julio-Claudian (54-68 AD); killed mother; played lyre while Rome burned, blamed Christians; massive pleasure palace in the middle of Rome (Domus Aurea, golden house); erratic behavior

Vespasian

Flavian (69-79 AD); began Colosseum; successful military leader, Iudaea Victo; taxes toilets pecunia non olet

Titus

Flavian (79-81 AD); Jewish War and sacking of the great temple in Jerusalem; arch of Titus in Forum; brings aid and comfort to Pompeii region post Vesuviu

Domitian

Flavian (81-96 AD); finishes Colosseum; erratic behavior; assassination

Trajan

Five Good Emperors (98-117 AD); Dacian Wars; expands the Roman Empire to its largest extent, Trajan’s column

Hadrian

Five Good Emperors (117-138 AD); created the domed Panthoen, Hadrian’s Wall (England/Scotland), Pantheon, Hellenophile; made the full beard fashionable, lover Antinous

Marcus Aureluius

Five Good Emperors (161-180 AD) ; philosopher-emperor who wrote in Greek, Meditations

Cicero

Civil War politics; Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, orator, writer, and author; violent death

Pompey

general and Roman statesman; defeats pirates in the Mediterranean; Spartacus rebellion; in 1st Triumvirate with Caesar and Pompey

Julius Caesar

 dictator; Civil War politics; author of De Bello Gallico, De Bello Civile, assassination 44 BC; “et tu, Brute”; “and you, my son”; alea iacta est; veni vidi, vici

Antoninus Pius

Five Good Emperors (161-180 AD); known for his peace and prosperity; collaboration with the Senate; Scotland campaign and Antonine Wall

Suetonius

(~69-122 AD) “historian” of the early Roman emperors and author of De Vita Caesarum

Tacitus

(56-120 AD) historian of Roman emperors and author; Historiae and Annales

Vitruvius

author of De Architecture; architect and engineer in the 1st century BC; primary source for ancient architecture