Top 10 Greatest Roman Emperors
The Top Ten
1 Augustus
Augustus (63 BC-AD 14), originally named Gaius Octavius, was the founder of the Roman Empire and its first emperor, reigning from 27 BC until his death. He came to power after the assassination of his great-uncle and adoptive father, Julius Caesar. His tenure witnessed the Pax Romana, a long period of relative peace and stability across the empire.
Augustus (63 BC-AD 14), originally named Gaius Octavius, was the founder of the Roman Empire and its first emperor, reigning from 27 BC until his death. He came to power after the assassination of his great-uncle and adoptive father, Julius Caesar. His tenure witnessed the Pax Romana, a long period of relative peace and stability across the empire. The only one who was fair to his people.
2 Trajan
Trajan (53-117) was the Roman Emperor from 98 to 117. Known for his philanthropic rule, he presided over the greatest military expansion in Roman history, leading the empire to attain its maximum territorial extent by the time of his death. Trajan is also celebrated for his public building program and is remembered as a successful soldier-emperor.
Trajan (53-117) was the Roman Emperor from 98 to 117. Known for his philanthropic rule, he presided over the greatest military expansion in Roman history, leading the empire to attain its maximum territorial extent by the time of his death. Trajan is also celebrated for his public building program and is remembered as a successful soldier-emperor.
3 Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius (121-180) served as the Roman Emperor from 161 to 180. Known as the last of the "Five Good Emperors", he is remembered for his philosophical writings, now known as "Meditations". Despite a reign marked by military conflict, he has been hailed as an exemplar of the philosophy of Stoicism.
Marcus Aurelius (121-180) served as the Roman Emperor from 161 to 180. Known as the last of the "Five Good Emperors", he is remembered for his philosophical writings, now known as "Meditations". Despite a reign marked by military conflict, he has been hailed as an exemplar of the philosophy of Stoicism. There is no evidence Marcus Aurelius ever persecuted Christians. Eusebius is a liar and Psuedo-Historian. He admitted it.
Plato's Philosopher King. Perhaps the wisest emperor that has ever lived.
Ah, but the last of the Five Great Emperors.
4 Hadrian
Hadrian (76-138) was the Roman Emperor from 117 to 138. He is best known for building Hadrian's Wall, which marked the northern limit of Britannia. He also reformed the military and embarked on a vast building program, reconstructing the Pantheon and constructing the Temple of Venus and Roma.
Hadrian (76-138) was the Roman Emperor from 117 to 138. He is best known for building Hadrian's Wall, which marked the northern limit of Britannia. He also reformed the military and embarked on a vast building program, reconstructing the Pantheon and constructing the Temple of Venus and Roma. Hadrian could hold his own in England, an actual wall exists to persuade the invading Celts and Picts in the north to hightail not in the southern direction. This might still be holding at bay the intruders although if even just in imagination as it is possible to exist.
5 Constantine
Constantine (272-337), also known as Constantine the Great, served as the Roman Emperor from 306 to 337. He is renowned for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity and for establishing the city of Constantinople, which allowed the Empire to remain a significant force for centuries.
Constantine (272-337), also known as Constantine the Great, served as the Roman Emperor from 306 to 337. He is renowned for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity and for establishing the city of Constantinople, which allowed the Empire to remain a significant force for centuries. The first Christian Monarch in the history of the world.
6 Diocletian
Diocletian (244-311) was the Roman Emperor from 284 to 305. He is known for his administrative and military reforms which aimed to address the crises of the Third Century. He introduced the Tetrarchy, or rule of four, which marked the end of the Crisis of the Third Century, and he is also known for his persecution of Christians.
Diocletian (244-311) was the Roman Emperor from 284 to 305. He is known for his administrative and military reforms which aimed to address the crises of the Third Century. He introduced the Tetrarchy, or rule of four, which marked the end of the Crisis of the Third Century, and he is also known for his persecution of Christians. He was actually pretty evil, but a good emperor. He persecuted Christians.
Much better than usually given credit for, this guy saved us from the crisis of the third century
7 Claudius
Claudius (10 BC-54 AD) was the Roman Emperor from 41 to 54. Despite his apparent physical weaknesses, he proved to be an able administrator and military leader. He expanded the empire, including the conquest of Britain, and implemented significant legal and administrative reforms.
Claudius (10 BC-54 AD) was the Roman Emperor from 41 to 54. Despite his apparent physical weaknesses, he proved to be an able administrator and military leader. He expanded the empire, including the conquest of Britain, and implemented significant legal and administrative reforms.
8 Aurelian
Aurelian (214-275) was the Roman Emperor from 270 to 275. Known as 'Restitutor Orbis' or 'Restorer of the World', he reunited the empire after its fragmentation into the Gallic Empire and Palmyrene Empire, and is credited for stabilizing the Empire during the Crisis of the Third Century.
Aurelian (214-275) was the Roman Emperor from 270 to 275. Known as 'Restitutor Orbis' or 'Restorer of the World', he reunited the empire after its fragmentation into the Gallic Empire and Palmyrene Empire, and is credited for stabilizing the Empire during the Crisis of the Third Century. Augustus was the best, but voted for Aurelian anyways because he was the best peak value emperor ever. Reunited the entire empire, dealt with the consequences of the necessary evacuation of Dacia splendidly, and was a top ten emperor despite reigning for just 5 years.
9 Vespasian
Vespasian (9-79) was the Roman Emperor from 69 to 79. He rose to power during the Year of the Four Emperors and initiated the Flavian dynasty. He is known for his military success, the building of the Colosseum, and financial reforms that stabilized the Roman economy after the chaos of civil war.
Vespasian (9-79) was the Roman Emperor from 69 to 79. He rose to power during the Year of the Four Emperors and initiated the Flavian dynasty. He is known for his military success, the building of the Colosseum, and financial reforms that stabilized the Roman economy after the chaos of civil war. Top 5, but often doesn't get recognition as such. Brought stability after the year of 4 emperors and built the Coliseum.
10 Julius Nepos
Julius Nepos (430-480) was the Western Roman Emperor from 474 to 475 and then continued to claim the title until his death in 480. His reign was challenged by internal conflicts and he was forced to flee to Dalmatia. Despite losing control of Italy, he remained recognized as Emperor by the Eastern Roman Empire until his death.
Julius Nepos (430-480) was the Western Roman Emperor from 474 to 475 and then continued to claim the title until his death in 480. His reign was challenged by internal conflicts and he was forced to flee to Dalmatia. Despite losing control of Italy, he remained recognized as Emperor by the Eastern Roman Empire until his death.
The Contenders
11 Titus
Titus (39-81), the son of Vespasian, was the Roman Emperor from 79 to 81. Despite his short reign, he is known for completing the Colosseum and dealing with the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. His rule was marked by several natural disasters, but he was regarded as a good emperor by Roman historians.
Titus (39-81), the son of Vespasian, was the Roman Emperor from 79 to 81. Despite his short reign, he is known for completing the Colosseum and dealing with the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. His rule was marked by several natural disasters, but he was regarded as a good emperor by Roman historians.
12 Antoninus Pius
Antoninus Pius (86-161) served as the Roman Emperor from 138 to 161. Known as one of the "Five Good Emperors", his reign was marked by internal peace and prosperity. He is noted for his effective administration, which led to a period of relative tranquility throughout the Roman Empire.
Antoninus Pius (86-161) served as the Roman Emperor from 138 to 161. Known as one of the "Five Good Emperors", his reign was marked by internal peace and prosperity. He is noted for his effective administration, which led to a period of relative tranquility throughout the Roman Empire. The most forgettable, peaceful ruler is oftentimes the best.
13 Nerva
Nerva (30-98) served as the Roman Emperor from 96 to 98. His brief reign was notable for his adoption of Trajan as his heir, marking the beginning of the Nerva-Antonine dynasty. He was chosen by the Senate to succeed Domitian and is remembered for his moderate and capable rule.
Nerva (30-98) served as the Roman Emperor from 96 to 98. His brief reign was notable for his adoption of Trajan as his heir, marking the beginning of the Nerva-Antonine dynasty. He was chosen by the Senate to succeed Domitian and is remembered for his moderate and capable rule. Wow! I'm not the only person who knows who this guy is!
14 Domitian
Domitian (51-96) was the Roman Emperor from 81 to 96. He was the younger brother of Titus and the last emperor of the Flavian dynasty. His reign was marked by significant military conflicts, vast building programs, and autocratic rule, which ultimately led to his assassination.
Domitian (51-96) was the Roman Emperor from 81 to 96. He was the younger brother of Titus and the last emperor of the Flavian dynasty. His reign was marked by significant military conflicts, vast building programs, and autocratic rule, which ultimately led to his assassination. The most underrated of all emperors. He did a lot of good things for poor people and people in the provinces.
The most underrated. His senate destroyed his legacy.
15 Tiberius
Tiberius (42 BC-37 AD) was the second Roman Emperor, reigning from 14 to 37 AD. He was the successor of Augustus and his rule was marked by a reluctance to embrace his position of power, financial austerity, and military non-interventionism. Tiberius was an experienced military leader but was seen as a reclusive and somber ruler.
Tiberius (42 BC-37 AD) was the second Roman Emperor, reigning from 14 to 37 AD. He was the successor of Augustus and his rule was marked by a reluctance to embrace his position of power, financial austerity, and military non-interventionism. Tiberius was an experienced military leader but was seen as a reclusive and somber ruler.
16 Commodus
Commodus (161-192) was the Roman Emperor from 180 to 192. He is infamous for his erratic and tyrannical rule, which marked the beginning of the end of the golden age of the Roman Empire known as the Pax Romana. His misrule contributed to the eventual fall of the Western Roman Empire.
Commodus (161-192) was the Roman Emperor from 180 to 192. He is infamous for his erratic and tyrannical rule, which marked the beginning of the end of the golden age of the Roman Empire known as the Pax Romana. His misrule contributed to the eventual fall of the Western Roman Empire. Commodus, probably one of the worst emperors. He didn't care about being the Emperor. This started the fall of the Empire.
17 Septimius Severus
Septimius Severus (145-211) served as the Roman Emperor from 193 to 211. He was the founder of the Severan dynasty and his reign was marked by military expansion and consolidation of the Roman Empire. Severus is known for his legal reforms and efforts to strengthen the central government.
Septimius Severus (145-211) served as the Roman Emperor from 193 to 211. He was the founder of the Severan dynasty and his reign was marked by military expansion and consolidation of the Roman Empire. Severus is known for his legal reforms and efforts to strengthen the central government.
18 Romulus Augustulus
Romulus Augustulus (460-507?), whose real name was Romulus Augustus, is traditionally regarded as the last Western Roman Emperor, reigning from 475 to 476. His rule ended when he was deposed by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer, marking the end of the Western Roman Empire.
19 Justinian I
Justinian I (482-565), also known as Justinian the Great, was the Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565. His reign is marked by the ambitious reconquest of lost Western Roman territories, the codification of Roman law in 'Corpus Juris Civilis', and the construction of the Hagia Sophia. He left a lasting legacy on the Byzantine Empire.
Justinian I (482-565), also known as Justinian the Great, was the Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565. His reign is marked by the ambitious reconquest of lost Western Roman territories, the codification of Roman law in 'Corpus Juris Civilis', and the construction of the Hagia Sophia. He left a lasting legacy on the Byzantine Empire. The last true emperor of all rome.
20 Majorian
Majorian (420-461) was the Western Roman Emperor from 457 to 461. He is often considered the last effective Western Roman Emperor, known for his attempts to reform the state and military. Despite initial success in recovering some Western territories, his reign was ultimately cut short by his assassination.
21 Julian
Julian (331-363), also known as Julian the Apostate, was the Roman Emperor from 361 to 363. He is noted for his efforts to restore traditional Roman religious practices at the expense of Christianity. His attempt to revive Hellenistic paganism, coupled with his short reign, made him a controversial figure in history.
22 Gallienus
Gallienus (218-268) served as the Roman Emperor from 253 to 268. His reign was characterized by the Crisis of the Third Century where the empire nearly collapsed under the combined pressures of invasion, civil war, plague, and economic depression. He was eventually assassinated during a siege.
23 Nero
Nero (37-68) was the Roman Emperor from 54 to 68. Known for his tyrannical and extravagant rule, his reign was marked by several infamous events, including the Great Fire of Rome, which he purportedly responded to by playing the lyre. He was the last emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.
Nero (37-68) was the Roman Emperor from 54 to 68. Known for his tyrannical and extravagant rule, his reign was marked by several infamous events, including the Great Fire of Rome, which he purportedly responded to by playing the lyre. He was the last emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. He was the worst emporer in history! He is also one of the most evil people in history. Why is he on here?
He was evil. Should be in the bottom.
24 Caligula
Caligula (12-41), whose real name was Gaius Julius Caesar, was the Roman Emperor from 37 to 41. Known for his erratic behavior and cruel despotism, he is remembered as a tyrant who led a reign of terror after an initial period of moderation. He was the first Roman Emperor to be assassinated.
Caligula (12-41), whose real name was Gaius Julius Caesar, was the Roman Emperor from 37 to 41. Known for his erratic behavior and cruel despotism, he is remembered as a tyrant who led a reign of terror after an initial period of moderation. He was the first Roman Emperor to be assassinated. He's the worst one what's he doing here?
25 Valentinian
Valentinian (321-375), also known as Valentinian the Great, was the Roman Emperor from 364 to 375. He was the founder of the Valentinian dynasty and his reign was marked by the division of the Roman Empire into an Eastern and Western half, with his brother Valens ruling the East.
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