Quick Facts: Imperial Statistics
First Emperor: Augustus (27 BCE)
Longest-reigning Emperor: Augustus (41 years)
Shortest-reigning Emperor: Didius Julianus (66 days) or the Gordiani (a few weeks).
Greatest extent of the empire: Under Trajanus (117 CE).
Most common cause of death: Murder by the army or the Guard.
Introduction
The Roman emperorship was a position of absolute power, but the price was high. For most inhabitants of the gigantic empire, the emperor was an almost mythical figure whom they would never see in person. Their image of the ruler was formed exclusively by the depictions on coins, marble busts, and triumphal reliefs.
The Most Dangerous Job in the World
That the job of emperor was life-threatening is evident from the statistics. A full 35% of all Roman emperors were murdered and 47.6% met a violent end.
Although emperors surrounded themselves with the Praetorian Guard, this bodyguard unit often proved to be a wolf in sheep's clothing in practice. The Guard was responsible for the murder of at least six emperors (7.32% of the total). Despite these deadly statistics, Rome's most powerful families remained willing to sacrifice everything for the throne.
Overview of the Roman Emperors
The Julio-Claudian Dynasty (27 BCE – 68 CE)
Augustus (27 BCE - 14 CE): The first emperor, founder of the Principate.
Tiberius (14 - 37): Augustus' stepson; his reign was marked by repression.
Caligula (37 - 41): Notorious for cruelty; appointed his horse as consul.
Claudius (41 - 54): Conqueror of Britain and skilled administrator.
Nero (54 - 68): Megalomaniac; associated with the Great Fire of Rome.
The Year of the Four Emperors & The Flavians (68 – 96)
Galba, Otho & Vitellius (68 - 69): Three short-lived rulers during the civil war.
Vespasianus (69 - 79): Restored order and began construction of the Colosseum.
Titus (79 - 81): Conqueror of Jerusalem and aid provider during the eruption of Vesuvius.
Domitianus (81 - 96): Autocrat who drastically strengthened imperial power.
The Adoptive Emperors & The Golden Age (96 – 192)
Nerva (96 - 98): Restored the position of the Senate.
Trajanus (98 - 117): Expanded the empire to its maximum extent.
Hadrianus (117 - 138): Builder of the famous wall in Britain; a great lover of culture.
Antoninus Pius (138 - 161): A peaceful reign characterized by justice.
Marcus Aurelius (161 - 180): The philosopher-emperor, known for his 'Meditations'.
Lucius Verus (161 - 169): Co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius; fought against the Parthians.
Commodus (180 - 192): Extravagant and cruel; performed as a gladiator himself.
The Severan Dynasty and the Crisis of the Third Century (193 – 284)
Pertinax & Didius Julianus (193): Short, violent reigns following Commodus.
Septimius Severus (193 - 211): Military reformer from North Africa.
Caracalla (211 - 217): Granted citizenship to all free men in the empire.
Macrinus, Elagabalus & Severus Alexander (217 - 235): A turbulent period ending in military murders.
Crisis period (235 - 284): A long series of 'soldier emperors' including Maximinus Thrax, Philippus the Arab, Aurelianus (the restorer of the world) and Valerianus (who was captured by the Persians).
The Tetrarchy and the Christian Empire (284 – 476)
Diocletianus (284 - 305): Divided the empire into four parts (Tetrarchy).
Constantine the Great (306 - 337): First Christian emperor; founded Constantinople.
Julian the Apostate (361 - 363): The last emperor who tried to restore paganism.
Theodosius I (379 - 395): The last emperor over an undivided empire.
Romulus Augustulus (475 - 476): The very last emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
The Continuation in the East (Byzantium)
Justinianus I (527 - 565): Reconquered large parts of the west and codified Roman law.
Justinus II, Tiberius II & Mauricius: Consolidated the borders in a changing world.
What Did All Those Different Romans Look Like?
Over the course of 500 years, Roman fashion and armor changed considerably. From the luxurious togas of Augustus to the richly decorated, oriental garments of the later emperors.
Want to follow in the footsteps of an emperor or a legionnaire? In our lookbook you'll find detailed examples and compositions to create your own Roman outfit in no time.
Whether you admire the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius or want to relive the military might of Trajanus; the history of the Roman emperors remains a source of inspiration for re-enactors and historians worldwide.
Internal Links:
The Roman Empire: The Architect of Western Civilization
The Hierarchy of Classical Antiquity: From Emperor to Slave
The Roman Republic: Politics, Expansion and Social Structures
