Originally known as Octavian, grand-nephew and heir to Julius Casear, ushered in Pax Romana, 27 BC - AD 14
Augustus
General, adopted heir by Augustus, paranoid about being overshadowed, withdrew to Capri, 14 - 37
Tiberius
Known as "Little Boot," thought himself to be the equal of Jupiter and tried to make his horse a consul, 37 - 41
Caligula
Sickly nephew of Tiberius and uncle of Caligula, scholar and writer, invaded Britain, had his wife, Messalina executed; his second wife, Agrippina poisoned him, 41- 54
Claudius
Adpoted by his stepfather, had his mother and stepbrother, Britannicus, murdered. First Roman persecution of Christians began, deposed byt he Praetorian Guard, 54-68
Nero
Son of a tax collector, began era of order and prosperity and recovery from Nero's reigh, 69-79
Vespasian
Son of Vespasian, had conflicts with the Senate, began a reign of terror against his opponents, 81 - 96
Domitian
First of the Five Good Emperors, Senator, appointed by the Senate; began programs of public assistance, 96-98
Nerva
Second of Five Good Emperors, extended the empire, building programs, conquered Dacia and Parthia, programs for the poor, 98-117
Trajan
Third of Five Good Enperors, traveled empire restoring imperial rule, built wall to defend against the Picts, consolidated rather than expanded empire, revolt of Jews, 117-138
Hadrian
Fourth of Five Good Emperors, empire reached the height of prosperity and peace, 138-161
Antoninus Pius
Last of the Five Good Emperors, wrote Meditations, exponent of stoicism, persecuted Christians, 161-180
Marcus Aurelius
Son of Marcus Aurelius, believed he was a gladiator, assasinated, 180-192
Commodus
Reformed army and administration, divided epire into four regions to be ruled by the Tetrarchy, persecuted Christians, 284-305
Diocletian
Promoted and accepted Christianity, saw a vision of a cross at the Battle of Milvian Bridge, issued the Edict of Milan to tolerate Christianity, became the sole emperor and dissolved the Tetrarcy, rebuilt Byzantium, 324-337
Constantine I
Last ruler of a united Roman Empire, made Christianity the religion of the Roman Empire, 379-395
Cardio Block2anatomy
