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Who's Who of the Roman Empire.

Roman Imperial Timeline   Graphics Key

Roman Imperial Timeline 
Julio-Claudian Dynasty27 BCE - 69 CE The Tetrarchy286 CE - 307 CE
Flavian Dynasty69 CE - 96 CE House of Constantine307 CE - 364 CE
Adoptive Emperors96 CE - 193 CE House of Valentinian364 CE - 392 CE
Severan Dynasty193 CE - 259 CE House of Theodosius379 CE - 475 CE
Gallic Emperors259 CE - 270 CE The End of Imperial Rome474 CE - 476 CE
Illyrian Emperors270 CE - 286 CE Graphics Key


The Julio-Claudian Dynasty
Emperor  Reigned   Rating  Notes 
Emperor Augustus
(Octavian)
Born: Gaius Octavian
Date: 63 BC 		27 BC -
14 AD  		  Although of Republican beginnings, Augustus was the start of the Imperial Era.
Emperor Tiberius 
Born: Tiberius Claudius Nero
Date: 42 BC 		14 AD -
37 AD  		  Started well. In his later years he came increasingly under the influence of his prefect Sejanus. His isolation from the public fed his paranoia which led to the treason trials of many citizens. Tiberius reign includes the Era of Christ and the crucifixion.
Emperor Caligula 
Born: Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus
Date: 12 BC 		37 - 41     Named by Tiberius as heir, Caligula actually started well and showed some promise of being a good emperor. Most contemporary accounts note that early in his reign Caligula fell victim to a serious illness. After that, he was never the same. His reign went rapidly downhill into oppression and depravity. He was eventually murdered by his Praetorian guard on Jan 24, 41.
Emperor Claudius 
Born: Tiberius Claudius Nero Germanicus
Date: 10 BC 		41 - 54     Poor Claudius, he really didn't want to be emperor and managed to avoid it for most of his life. He was hailed as emperor by the Praetorian guards after the murder of Caligula. Despite handicaps (which vary according to the historian that you favor) , Claudius went on the rule wisely. Among his accomplishments, he returned Britain to the Empire and started the port at Ostia. One of the things he probably should not have done was to name the son of his wife, Agrippina, as heir. He died in 54 possibly through poisoning by Agrippina and the son, Nero became emperor.
Emperor Nero 
Born: Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus
Date: 37 AD 		54 - 68    Nero considered himself an artist, whether his contemporaries agreed is open to interpretation. The historic burning of Rome took place during his reign and some historians suspect that the fire was set to clear out the crowded center of the city. Thereby allowing Nero to build grand public works, such as his celebrated Baths. Several years after the fire, Nero was deserted by his Praetorian Guards and forced to commit suicide.
Emperor Galba 
Born: Servius Sulpicius Galba
Date: 3 BC 		68 - 69     Governor of Hispania Tarraconensis in 60 AD. Galba was proclaimed emperor by his legions after the death of Nero. He was eventually murdered during a conspiracy lead by Otho.
Emperor Otho 
Born: Marcus Salvius Otho
Date: 32 AD 		69 AD     Close friend of Nero and Governor of Lusitania. Otho conspired to have Galba murdered and was proclaimed emperor. His legions were defeated in battle by Vittelius after which he committed suicide.
Emperor Vittelius 
Born: Aulus Vitellius
Date: 15 AD 		69 AD     Variously known as 'The Glutton'. Vitellius was proclaimed emperor by the legions of Lower Germany after the military became disillusioned by Otho. He met and defeated Otho in battle. As emperor he paid more attention to his table than to affairs of state. His army was eventually defeated in battle by Vespasian and he was murdered in the imperial palace.
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The Flavian Dynasty
Emperor  Reigned   Rating  Notes 
Emperor Vespasian
Born: Titus Flavius Vespasianus    
Date: 9 AD 		69 - 79    After a year of civil war, Vespasian was probably the best thing that could have happened to the empire. He was an able military commander (quelled the Jewish Revolt in 67) and became a just and able ruler. When he died in 79, he was immediately deified by the Senate.  
Emperor Titus 
Born: Titus Flavius Vespasianus
Date: 39 AD 		79 - 81    Elder son of Vespasian. He proved himself to be just as able a military commander (captured Jerusalem in 70) . He became emperor upon his fathers death and ruled with benevolence. His premature death was mourned by many in the empire.  
Emperor Domitian 
Born: Titus Flavius Domitianus
Date: 51 AD 		81 - 96     Youngest son of Vespasian. Domitian was proclaimed emperor on the death of his elder brother, Titus. He soon proved unpopular with the nobility and reacted violently to numerous conspiracies. The later part of his reign was marked by increasing violence and terror. He was finally brought down by a plot involving his wife, Domitia and the Praetorian Prefect.
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The Adoptive Emperors
Emperor  Reigned   Rating  Notes 
Emperor Nerva 
Born: Marcus Coccieus Nerva
Date: 30 AD 		96 - 98    Consul under Domitian, Nerva was proclaimed emperor on his death. He lacked the popular support of the military that was so necessary for imperial rule. Because of this, he adopted Trajan who was popular with the military as his successor.
Emperor Trajan 
Born: Marcius Ulpius Trajanus
Date: 53 (approximate) 		98 - 117    Governor of Upper Germany and successor to Nerva. He was an able leader that did much to expand the empire adding Dacia, Armenia and Mesopotamia (among others) to the list of Roman Provinces. He is famous for his building projects throughout the empire, many of which can still be seen today.  
Emperor Hadrian 
Born: Publius Aelius Hadrianus
Date: 76 AD 		117 - 138    By some accounts, Hadrian was one of best emperors in roman history. He was widely traveled, popular with the military and a builder. Since the empire was in a state of reconsolidation and not expansion, Hadrian paid particular attention to the defensive works such as 'Hadrian's Wall' in Britain and similiar palisades in Germany and Raetia. There were few outbreaks of fighting during his reign, the only notable exception being the Bar Kochba War in Judea.
Since he had no heirs, he first adopted Aelius as his successor. When Aelius died, Antoninus Pius was adopted in his place.  
Lucius Aelius Caesar
(Aelius)
Born: Lucius Ceionius Commodus
Date: ?? 		136 - 138    First adoptive heir of Hadrian and Governor of Pannonia. He predecessed Hadrian and died of tuberculosis in 138 AD. 
Emperor Antonius Pius 
Born: Titus Aurelius Fulvus Boionius Antoninus
Date: 86 		138 - 161    Second adoptive heir of Hadrian. After he was adopted by Hadrian, Antoninus was required to adopt Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus as his own heirs and successors. After his accession, Rome experienced a period noted for its tranquility and prosperity.  
Emperor Marcus Aurelius
Born: Marcus Annius Verus
Date: 121
 161 - 180    The first adoptive heir of Antoninus Pius. One of his first acts as emperor was to request the Senate invest Lucius Verus as his co-emperor. His long reign was plagued by numerous frontier wars and depopulating plagues. He brought 82 years of adoptive succession to a close by designating his son, Commodus, to succeed him. Marcus Aurelius died peacefully in his sleep on 03/17/180. An occurrance that could be considered something of a rarity in its own right.
Emperor Lucius Verus 
Born: Lucius Ceionius Commodus
Date: 130
 161 - 169    Co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius. The best that could be said of him is that he was not as bad as he could have been. He fought along side Aurelius to hold the borders of the empire from barbarious invaders. Although not his fault, his troops brought back a plague from the east which seriously weakened the empire. Plague or apoplectic fit killed him during 169.
Emperor Commodus
(Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus)
Born: Lucius Aurelius
Date: 161
 180 - 192     Made co-emperor with his father, Aurelius. Oppressive, megalomaniacal and probably mad. Commodus was a very poor choice as successor to his father. Among some of his more 'interesting' acts were the renaming of Rome as his own personal colony Commodiana and the preference of wearing of a lion-skin with club as if he were Hercules incarnate.
He was finally assasinated in a plot carried out by his mistress, the praetorian prefect and court chamberlain. By one account he was strangled to death. Possibly during a wrestling match. The city prefect, Pertinax, was designated to succeed him. 
Emperor Pertinax 
Born: Publius Helvius
Date: 126
 193 AD     Placed on the throne by the praetorian prefect, Laetus. Pertinax attempted to institute a program of fiscal austerity to counteract the excesses of Commodus. This did not sit well with a large number of people and he was murdered by a group of soldiers after an 86 day reign.
Emperor Didius Julianus 
Born: Marcus Didius Severus Julianus
Date: 133
 193 AD     Julianus assumed the imperial throne in an event that has become notorius in roman history. After the murder of Pertinax, the praetorian guard decided that the throne should go to the highest bidder at auction. A bidding war ensued between Julianus and his rival Titus Flavius Sulpicianus (father-in-law of the late Pertinax). The bidding reached 25,000 sesterii per soldier before Julianus was proclaimed emperor.
There was considerable disaffection among the population over this turn of events and the governors of Syria (Pescennius Niger), Upper Pannonia (Septimius Severus) were appealed to for support. Severus marched on Rome ,however, Julianus was murdered on June 1 before he could arrive. Severus assumed control of Rome and
Pescennius Niger 
Born: Gaius
Date: circa 135
 193 - 195     Proclaimed emperor in the east (Antioch) during the final part of Julianus reign. Niger enjoyed considerable support in the east, including support from Byzantium. That support was not enough to win battles and after a series of defeats was eventually captured and put to death. Byzantium suffered 2 1/2 year siege and reprisals for its support of Niger.
Clodius Albinus 
Born: Decimus Clodius Septimius Albinus
Date: 140 - 150
 195 - 197     Usurper. Commited suicide after battle. 
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The Severan Dynasty
Emperor  Reigned   Rating  Notes 
Septimius Severus 
Born: Lucius
Date: 145
 193 - 211    North invaded by Barbarians. 
Caracalla (Caracallus) 
Born: Julius Bassianus
Date: 188
 211 - 217     Universal citizenship, but was a cruel emperor. 
Geta 
Born: Publius Septimius
Date: 189
 211 - 212     Murdered by his brother, Caracalla. 
Macrinus 
Born: Marcus Opellius
Date: 164
 217 - 218    
Diadumenian 
Born:
Date:
218 AD    Son of Macrinus. 
Elagabalus 
Born: Varius Avitus Bassianus
Date: 204
 218 - 222     One of the more bizarre emperors. Along with extreme cruelty, was a transvestite. 
Severus Alexander 
Born: Marcus Julius Gessius Alexianus
Date: 208
 222 - 235    
Maximinus 
Born: Gaius Julius Verus
Date: 182 - 183
 235 - 238     Campaigned in Germany. 
Maximus (Caesar) 
Born:
Date:
235 - 238     Son of Maximinus. 
Gordian I 
Born: Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus
Date: circa 159
 238 AD  Suicide after learning of Sons death. Reigned 22 days. 
Gordian II
Born: Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus
Date: 192
 238 AD     Som of Gordian, died in Battle. 
Balbinus 
Born: Decimius Caelius Calvinus Balbinus
Date: 165 - 170 ?
 238 AD     Balbinus and Pupienus were murdered together 
Pupienus 
Born: Marcus Clodius Pupienus Maximus
Date: ??
 238 AD     by the Praetorian Guard. 
Gordian III 
Born: Marcus Antonius Gordianus
Date: 225
 238 - 244    
Philip I 
Born: Marcus Julius Verus Philippus
Date: 204
 244 - 249     Ruled during the 1000 year anniversary of Rome.  
Philip II 
Born:
Date:
247 - 249    
Pacatian 
Born:
Date:
circa 248 AD     Usurper. 
Jotapian 
Born:
Date:
circa 248 AD     Usurper. 
Trajan Decius 
Born: Gaius Messius Quintus Decius
Date: 190
 249 - 251     Persecuted the early Christians.  
Herennius Etruscus 
Born:
Date:
251 AD     Died with his father, Trajan Decius.  
Hostilian 
Born:
Date:
251 AD     Died of the plague.  
Trebonianus Gallus 
Born: Gaius Vibius Afinius
Date: 206
 251 - 253     His reign was characterized by plague and invasions. 
Volusian 
Born:
Date:
251 - 253     Son of Trbonianus Gallus, was murdered with him.  
Aemilian 
Born: Marcus Aemilius Aemilianus
Date: ??
 253 AD    
Uranius Antoninus 
Born:
Date:
CA 253 - 254    Little known. 
Valerian 
Born: Publius Licinius Valerianus
Date:
253 - 260     Fought the Persians and was captured. 
Gallienus 
Born: Publius Licinius Egnatius
Date:
253 - 268     Ruled during a time of trouble. 
Valerian II
Born:
Date:
253 - 255 
Salonius 
Born:
Date:
259 AD     Brother of Valerian II 
Macrianus 
Born:
Date:
260 - 261     Died in Battle. 
Quietus 
Born:
Date:
260 - 261     Captured in battle and killed by the Palmyrenes. 
Regalianus 
Born:
Date:
CA. 260 AD     Usurper 
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The Gallic Emperors
Emperor  Reigned   Rating  Notes 
Postumus 
Born: Marcus Cassianius Latinius
Date:
259 - 268     Ruled Britain, Gaul and Spain. 
Laelianus 
Born:
Date:
268 AD     Usurper, killed by Postumus 
Marius 
Born:
Date:
268 AD     Very short reign. 
Domitianus 
Born:
Date:
CA 268 AD     Usurper, very little known. 
Victorinus 
Born:
Date:
268 - 270     Little known. 
Tetricus I 
Born:
Date:
270 - 273  Reigned during the rapid decline of the empire.  
Tetricus II 
Born:
Date:
270 - 273  Son of Tetricus I, abdicated with his father in favor of Aurelian.  
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The Illyrian Emperors
Emperor  Reigned   Rating  Notes 
Claudius II (Gothicus)
Born: Marcus Aurelius Valerius Claudius
Date: 214
 268 - 270     Brilliant general. Killed by plague.  
Quintillus 
Born: Marcus Aurelius
Date:
270 AD  Commited suicide after being deserted by his army.  
Aurelian 
Born: Lucius Domitius Aurelianus
Date: 214
 270 - 275     Restored much of the empire to its former glory.  
Vabalathus 
Born:
Date:
271 - 272    Captured by Aurelian.  
Tacitus 
Born: Marcus Claudius
Date:
275 - 276     Fought the Goths, but the strain was too much for his poor health.  
Florianus 
Born: Marcus Annius Florianus
Date:
276 AD     Half brother to Tacitus, murdered after a reign of 2 months. 
Probus 
Born: Marcus Aurelius Equitius
Date: 232
 276 - 282     Among other accomplishments, introduced viticulture to the empire.  
Bonosus 
Born:
Date:
CA 280     Usurper, killed in battle.  
Saturninus 
Born:
Date:
CA 280     Usurper in Egypt, murdered.  
Carus 
Born: Marcus Aurelius Numerius
Date:
282 - 283     A sign from the gods, killed by lightning in camp. 
Numerian 
Born: Marcus Aurelius Numerius Numerianus
Date:
283 - 284    
Carinus 
Born: Marcus Aurelius
Date:
283 - 285    
Julian of Pannonia 
Born:
Date:
284 - 285     Usurper, killed in battle. 
Diocletian 
Born: Diocles
Date: 240
 284 - 305    Abdicated 
Amandus 
Born:
Date:
285 - 286   
Carausius 
Born: Mausaeus
Date:
287 - 293     Ruled Britain wisely. Murdered by Allectus. 
Allectus 
Born:
Date:
293 - 296     His rule did not match his ambitions. Died in battle. 
Domitius Domitianus 
Born:
Date:
296 - 297     Usurper, killed in battle. 
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The Tetrachy
Emperor  Reigned   Rating  Notes 
Maximianus 
Born:
Date:
286 - 310     Ruled, abdicated, ruled, abdicated, ruled and was finally killed in battle. 
Constantius I Chlorus 
Born: Flavius Julius
Date:
305 - 306   
Galerius 
Born:
Date: 250
 305 - 311     Killed by plaque. 
Severus II 
Born:
Date:
306 - 307   
Maximinus II Daia 
Born:
Date:
309 - 313   
Alexander of Carthage 
Born:
Date:
308 - 311     Not much information available.  
Licinius I 
Born:
Date: 250
 308 - 324   
Licinius II 
Born:
Date:
317 - 324   
Valens 
Born:
Date:
314 AD    
Martinian 
Born:
Date:
324 AD    
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The House of Constantine
Emperor  Reigned   Rating  Notes 
Constantine I 
Born: Flavius Valerius Constantinus
Date: 285
 307 - 337    'The Great'. Arguably one of the greatest Roman emperors. At least he had the best PR. Founded Constantinople as the capital in the east.  
Crispus (Caesar) 
Born:
Date:
317 - 326     Son of Constantine I. He was very popular and may have made a fitting successor if he had not been executed by his father.  
Delmatius (Caesar) 
Born:
Date:
335 - 337  Nephew of Constantine I. 
Hanniballianus (Rex) 
Born:
Date:
335 - 337  Nephew of Constantine I. 
Constantine II 
Born: Flavius Claudius (Julius)
Date: 317
 337 - 340    
Constans 
Born: Flavius Julius
Date: 320
 337 - 350    
Constantius II 
Born: Flavius Julius Constantius
Date: 331
 337 - 361    
Magnentius 
Born: Flavius Magnus
Date: 303
 350 - 353     Formerly a general under Constantius. 
Decentius 
Born:
Date:
351 - 353     Brother of Magnentius. 
Vetranio 
Born:
Date:
350 AD  Abdicated to Constantius. 
Nepotian 
Born:
Date:
350 AD     Murdered by soldiers of Magnentius. 
Constantius Gallus 
Born:
Date:
351 - 354    
Julian II 
Born: Flavius Claudius Julianus
Date: 332
 360 - 363     'The Apostate' or 'The Philosopher' depending on which side of the argument to agree with. 
Jovian 
Born: Flavius Jovianus
Date: 330
 363 - 364     'Accidently' suffocated in camp tent by brazier. 
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The House of Valentinian
Emperor  Reigned   Rating  Notes 
Valentinian I
Born: Flavius Valentinianus
Date: 321
 364 - 375    Died of an apoplectic fit.
Valens
Born: Flavius Julius
Date: 328
 364 - 378   Died in battle.
Procopius<BR> Born:
Date:
365 - 366  
Gratian
Born: Flavius Gratianus
Date: 359
 367 - 383   Came to power at age 7. Murdered. 
Valentinian II
Born: Flavius Valentinianus
Date: 371
 375 - 392    
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The House of Theodosius
Emperor  Reigned   Rating  Notes 
Theodosius I
Born: Flavius
Date: 347
 379 - 395   'The Great'. Died of 'dropsey'. 
Magnus Maximus
Born:
Date:
383 - 388   Captured in battle and executed. 
Flavius Victor
Born:
Date:
387 - 388  
Eugenius
Born:
Date:
392 - 394  
Arcadius
Born: Flavius
Date: 377
 383 - 408 Feeble.
Honorius
Born: Flavius
Date: 383
 395 - 423 Feeble.
Constantine III
Born: Flavius Claudius Constantinus
Date:
407 - 411   Captured in battle and executed. 
Constans
Born:
Date:
408 - 411   Captured in battle and executed. 
Maximus
Born:
Date:
409 - 411 Retired.
Pricus Attalus
Born:
Date:
409 - 410;
414 - 415 		Banished.
Jovinus
Born:
Date:
411 - 413   Captured in battle and executed. 
Sebastianus
Born:
Date:
412 - 413   Died in battle.
Constantius III
Born:
Date:
421 AD 7 months old ?
Johannes
Born:
Date:
423 - 425   Captured in battle and executed. 
Theodosius II
Born:
Date: 401
 402 - 450 
Valentinian III
Born: Flavius Placidus
Date: 419
 425 - 455   Assassinated.
Marcian
Born: Marcianus
Date: 392
 450 - 457
Petronius Maximus
Born: Flavius
Date: 396
 455 AD  
Avitus
Born: Marcus Maecilius Flavius Eparchius
Date:
455 - 456
Leo IBR> Born: Flavius
Date: 401
 457 - 474
Emperor Majorian
Born: Julius Valerius Majorianus
Date:
457 - 461   (West) Surprisingly good for the times. Majorian introduced a number of laws for the benefit of the empire. He was eventually deposed by Ricimer and either died of dysentary soon after or was murdered.
Emperor Severus III
Born: Libius Severus
Date:
461 - 465   (West) Very little is known about his early history, except that it is likely he came from Lucania. He was little more than a puppet emperor and was not recognized by Leo I. Possibly poisoned.
Emperor Anthemius
Born: Procopius Anthemius
Date:
467 - 472   (West) Appointed emperor by Leo I, Anthemius ruled until overthrown by Ricimer. His end came after a 3 month seige of Rome and his capture disguised as a beggar. He was beheaded.
Emperor Olybrius
Born: Anicius Olybrius
Date:
472 AD   (West) Died of 'dropsey' after a reign of less than one year.
Emperor Glycerius
Born:
Date:
473 - 474 (West) Never officailly recognized by Constantinople and Leo I, Glycerius was eventually dethroned by Julius Nepos and allowed to retire to Dalmatia. Soon after he was ordained a Bishop. Rumor has it that he was behind the murder of Nepos in 480.
Emperor Julius Nepos
Born:
Date:
474 - 475
(to 480 in exile) 		  (West) Deposed Glycerius and ruled from Ravenna until 475, Nepos fled before the army or Orestes (father of Romulus). He ruled in exile from Dalmatia from 477 until 480 when he was murdered by a pair of servants.
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The End of Imperial Rome
Emperor  Reigned   Rating  Notes 
Historic end of the Roman Empire 476 The historic end of the Roman occured in 476. However, a gray area exists as as to the Numismatic start of the Byzantine empire. The emperors that ruled during this period are shown below.
Emperor Zeno
Born:
Date:
474 - 475
476 - 491 		  (East) Emperor 474 - 475, Zeno fled for his life upon the discovery of serious plots against him. He returned in 476, exiled Basilicus and proceeded to rule in the east until the end. One account has him dying of epilepsy.
Emperor Basilicus
Born:
Date:
475 - 476   (East) Assumed the imperial reign after Zeno fled, Basilicus was iin turn brought down by Zeno and exiled. One account states that he and his family were immured and starved to death.
Emperor Romulus 'Augustulus'
Born: Romulus Augustus
Date:
475 - 476   (West) A boy emperor. He was dethroned by Odoacer in '76 and allowed to retire to Campania in exile.
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Graphics Key:
Ruled as Emperor
Good emperor
Bad emperor
Mixed Reviews
Little is Known
Murdered, Executed or Suicide
Died or Captured in Battle
Died Due to Sickness or Accident
An Act of the Gods, ie. Lightning, etc.

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