Top 10 Worst Roman Emperors

1. Caligula

   

   Known for his erratic behavior and brutal rule, Caligula's reign is marked by extreme extravagance, arbitrary executions, and an alarming tendency to proclaim himself a god. His despotic ways and apparent insanity led to widespread discontent, and his assassination was seen as a relief to Rome.

   Horrible. Just plain horrible. This guy thought he was a god and punished anyone who opposed him. As if that wasn't bad enough, he also doted on his own sister.

   The guy slept with his sisters! And I see no reason for Augustus to be on this list!

   Caligula had major brain damage.

2. Nero

   

   Nero's rule was tainted by extravagance and tyranny, along with allegations that he set the Great Fire of Rome. His persecution of Christians and erratic behavior, combined with his obsession with the arts over governance, contributed to his reputation as one of the most notoriously bad emperors.

   Nero was a maniac. He massacred Christians in great numbers, took huge funds to build himself monuments, and was all around a total nutcase.

   Basically the Roman equivalent of Hitler. He massacred thousands of innocent Christians for no reason. Absolutely horrible.

   I don't know much about Roman emperors, but if I remember correctly, he was like the mad one.

3. Commodus

   

   Often depicted as a self-indulgent ruler, Commodus saw himself as a reincarnation of Hercules. His reign was filled with scandal, corruption, and a disinterest in the affairs of the state. His behavior led to political instability and ultimately resulted in his assassination.

   Just about as bad as they come. He focused too much on playing around as a gladiator to care about the health and safety of his empire. He was also a depraved, paranoid psychopath who killed anyone who stood in his way, purging the Senate to the point that it became a bunch of incompetent yes-men. Quite the contrast from his cerebral, sober-minded father Marcus Aurelius.

4. Elagabalus

   

   Famous for his religious fanaticism and sexual excesses, Elagabalus's rule was marked by a complete disregard for Roman traditions and political norms. His attempts to replace traditional Roman religion with his own led to widespread discontent, which resulted in his murder at a young age.

   Executed many innocents, enforced a religion unfamiliar to all of Rome, and prostituted himself. Augustus doesn't belong here at all, but Elagabalus does.

   Should be in the top 5. Yeah, of course a gender-confused teenager would make a great emperor.

5. Caracalla

   

   Caracalla's rule is notorious for the massacre of thousands in Alexandria and his enactment of the Constitutio Antoniniana, which was economically taxing on the empire. His obsession with Alexander the Great and his despotic ways led to widespread resentment and a negative legacy.

   I can't believe that I had to add him. He wasn't as evil as Caligula or Nero, but he killed more than them.

6. Tiberius

   

   Although a capable military leader, Tiberius's reign was marked by paranoia and cruelty, especially in his later years. His use of treason trials to execute rivals, along with his withdrawal from public life, left a lasting impression of a tyrannical and aloof ruler.

7. Constantine II

   

   Constantine II's short reign is characterized by his conflict with his brothers over territorial disputes. His aggressive attempt to take control of his brother Constans' territory led to a civil war that resulted in his death and left him with a reputation for greed and rash decision-making.

8. Domitian

   

   Domitian's authoritarian rule and tendencies to persecute those he viewed as enemies have colored his legacy. His heavy taxation and autocratic behavior led to dissatisfaction among the Senate and the nobility, which culminated in a conspiracy that led to his assassination.

9. Maximian

   As a co-emperor with Diocletian, Maximian's rule was marked by brutal military campaigns and a strong focus on his own aggrandizement. His failures in dealing with internal revolts and his attempts to regain power after abdicating tarnished his legacy.

10. Constantine I

    

    While renowned for his conversion to Christianity and the Edict of Milan, Constantine I's rule had its dark sides. His involvement in the killings of his son Crispus and his wife Fausta, along with internal family conflicts, has led some to view aspects of his rule critically.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Gratian

    While initially respected, Gratian's later actions, including his rejection of traditional Roman pagan symbols and favoring of Christianity, led to dissatisfaction among the Roman population. His loss of authority and eventual assassination marked the downfall of his rule.

12. ?

    Valentinian II

    His reign was overshadowed by the influence of powerful generals and court officials, leading to a perception of weakness and ineffectiveness. Valentinian II's inability to assert control and his mysterious death contributed to a legacy of a puppet emperor.

The Contenders

13. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander's rule was weakened by his perceived indecisiveness and the undue influence of his mother and advisors. His inability to effectively deal with external threats and his tolerance for different religious practices angered the traditional Roman elite, which led to his assassination.

14. Augustus

    

    Although Augustus laid the foundation for the Roman Empire, some critics point to his seizure of power and his undermining of the Roman Republic's principles. His consolidation of authority into his own hands and manipulation of political processes have been viewed negatively by some historians.

15. Maximinus I "Thrax"

    Known for his persecution of the nobility and the Senate, Maximinus I's rule was characterized by cruelty and distrust of the Roman elite. His focus on military campaigns at the expense of the civilian population, along with heavy taxation, contributed to his negative image.

    This guy killed and slaughtered all!

16. Claudius

    

    Despite accomplishments like the conquest of Britain, Claudius was often perceived as weak and easily manipulated, particularly by his wives and freedmen. His stuttering and apparent physical disabilities led to personal ridicule, which further diminished his reputation in the eyes of some contemporaries and historians.

17. Geta

    Geta's brief rule was marred by constant conflict with his co-emperor and brother Caracalla. This intense rivalry and inability to govern jointly led to political instability, and his eventual assassination on Caracalla's orders cemented a tragic and ineffective legacy.

18. Vitellius

    

    Known for his gluttony and extravagance, Vitellius quickly lost favor through his mismanagement of the empire and his inability to control his supporters. His reign ended in chaos and violence, which culminated in his brutal execution after just eight months in power.

19. Septimius Severus

    

    His rule is marked by military despotism and a focus on strengthening the power of the army. Septimius Severus' harsh measures against opponents and his neglect of the traditional Roman Senate contributed to a legacy of authoritarian rule.

20. Diocletian

    

    Known for his Diocletianic Persecution, the last and most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire, Diocletian's rule is often criticized for its brutal suppressive measures. His economic reforms, while intended to stabilize the empire, led to significant hardship and dissatisfaction.

    People like to criticize Nero for his cruelty to the Christians, and they are right for this. But under Diocletian, persecution was the most severe and widespread.

    Responsible for the bloodiest religious persecution of Christianity in history.

21. Trebonianus Gallus

    His reign was plagued by numerous troubles, including famine, an outbreak of plague, and military unrest. Trebonianus Gallus' inability to successfully handle these crises and his eventual assassination by his own troops left him with a reputation as an ineffective leader.

22. Didius Julianus

    Famous for buying the empire in an auction held by the Praetorian Guard, Didius Julianus's reign was marked by widespread condemnation and a complete lack of authority outside Rome. His rule lasted only nine weeks before his assassination and left him a symbol of imperial folly.

23. Decius

    Decius initiated the first empire-wide persecution of Christians, which led to his vilification in Christian tradition. His reign was also marked by external threats and was cut short when he became the first Roman Emperor to die in battle against a foreign enemy.

24. Titus

    

    Although his reign was brief, Titus faced criticism for his handling of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the Great Fire of Rome. However, these events may have been beyond his control, and many modern historians view him more favorably, which makes him an ambiguous figure in Roman history.

25. Vespasian

    

    Despite being known for restoring stability after the Year of the Four Emperors, Vespasian's imposition of taxes, including on public urinals, led to some unpopularity. However, many of his so-called negative traits may be attributed to later propaganda and are not universally accepted.

26. Theodosius I

    Often criticized for his strong support of Nicene Christianity and his role in making it the state religion, Theodosius I's rule led to the persecution of other religious groups. His actions in the Massacre of Thessalonica are also cited as part of his negative legacy.

    This was the original fanatical Christian who got upset over Christianity being criticized. Not only did he make Christianity the official religion of the Empire, but he literally banned every other religion, even Hellenism, which was the Empire's main religion for centuries! If you're wondering why Christianity is the big religion today, look no further than this selfish arsehole.

27. Galba

    

    Despite initial promise, Galba's reign was marred by his perceived greed, strictness, and inability to gain the loyalty of the Praetorian Guard. His indecisiveness and failure to handle the economic crisis led to his assassination after just seven months as emperor.

    His short-lived rule was a disaster. He alienated the legions and was tone-deaf when it came to politics. He mistook dissent for defiance, punished innocent family members of his enemies, and brought back decimation.

    He could have saved himself a lot of hassle by showing generosity to the Praetorians, but he was more miserly than Ebenezer Stooge. Maybe he wasn't as debauched as Nero or Caligula, but that alone didn't make him a good emperor.